Zechariah’s Eighth Vision
The Branch is Crowned
9 And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 10 “Collect[g] from the exiles—from Heldai, Tobijah, and from Jedaiah, all of whom came from Babylon—and go on that day, go to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. 11 Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 And say to him, ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts: “Look, here is a man whose name is Branch,[h] and from his place he will sprout, and he will build the temple of Yahweh. 13 And he will build the temple of Yahweh, and he will bear majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two of them.”’[i] 14 And the crown will be for Helem,[j] for Tobijah, for Jedaiah, and for Hen[k] son of Zephaniah, as a memorial in the temple of Yahweh. 15 And those who are far off will come and build the temple of Yahweh, and you will know that Yahweh of hosts has sent me to you. And it will happen if you will listen diligently to the voice of Yahweh your God.”
Footnotes
- Zechariah 6:1 Literally “I did again, I lifted up my eyes”
- Zechariah 6:3 Other ancient versions read “grey” here
- Zechariah 6:5 Or “spirits” (The same Hebrew word can be translated “wind” or “spirit” depending on the context)
- Zechariah 6:6 Literally “Her with which”
- Zechariah 6:6 Some interpret the word “after” to indicate a westward direction
- Zechariah 6:7 That is, “Lord of all the earth”
- Zechariah 6:10 The imperative “Collect” has no object; many translations supply “silver and gold” or “an offering”
- Zechariah 6:12 Hebrew “Sprout” or “Shoot” (“Branch” is a traditional rendering in English)
- Zechariah 6:13 That is, between king and priest
- Zechariah 6:14 “Helem” is probably another name for Heldai (v. 10)
- Zechariah 6:14 “Hen” is frequently understood as a reference to Josiah (v. 10)