3:1-10. JOSHUA. THE BRANCH.
B  M1  1-3. Symbol. Joshua.
   M2  4-10. Signification.

410-407 B.C.

Zechariah 3)

1 And he showed me (this is the 4th of the 8 visions) Joshua the high priest (see Haggai 1:1) standing (put for ministering) before the angel of the LORD, and Satan (= the Accuse, or Oppressor. See Num. 22:22,32. 1 Chron. 21:1. Job 1:6,7,8,12,&c.) standing at his right hand (cp. Ps. 109:6. Job 30:12) to be his adversary. (Num. 22:321 Sam. 29:4. 2 Sam. 19:22. 1 Kings 5:4; 11:14,23,25)
2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you (cp. Jude 9), O Satan; even the LORD that has now and heretofore chosen Jerusalem rebuke you: is not this a brand (i.e. have I not) plucked out of the fire?" (Cp. Amos 4:11.)
3 Now Joshua had come to be clothed with filthy garments (a symbol of the defiling nature of sin. Cp. Prov. 30:12. Isa. 4:4,&c.), and stood before the angel.

3:4-10. THE SIGNIFICATION.
M2  N  4,5. Removal of the iniquity of Judah.
     O  6-8. Promise of access. The BRANCH of Yahaveh.
    N  9. Removal of the iniquity of the Land.
     O  10. Promise of security. The Word of Yahaveh.

4 And He answered and spoke to those that stood before Him (i.e. the ministering spirits who waited on Him. Cp. Deut. 1:38. 1 Sam. 16:21 1 Kings 10:8), saying, "Take away the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from off you (cp. 2 Sam. 12:13; 24:10. Job 7:21), and I have caused you to be clothed with costly garments." (I.e. robes of state, or of righteousness.)
5 Then said He, "Let them set (ref. Ex. 29:6) a clean (or pure) turban (see Ex. 28:37) upon his head." So they set a clean turban upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. (I.e. while this was being done.)

6 And the angel of the LORD solemnly affirmed (or testified. ref. Gen. 43:3. Deut. 8:19. Cp. Jer. 11:7) to Joshua, saying,
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; "If you will walk in My ways, and if you will keep My charge (ref. lev. 8:35), then you shall also govern My house (ref. Deut. 17:9), and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give you right of way among these that stand by. (I.e the attendant angels of Ps.03:21. Cp. 1 Kings 22:19. 1 Tim. 5:21.)
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you, and your colleagues that sit before you: for they are men of sign (i.e. men [no gender intended] to serve as signs [of One greater].): for, behold, I will bring forth My Servant the BRANCH. (I.e. Messiah. Cp. Isa. 4:2. Jer. 23:5,6; 33:15. Zech. 6:12. At the 7th Trump.)

9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; fixed upon one stone shall be seven pairs of eyes (watching and caring for. Cp. 4:10): behold, I will engrave the graving thereof (Prime root, to loosen: to incise, signet, seal, engraving that leaves an impression. See 4:1-14), says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. (Cp. Isa. 66:5-9.)

10 In that day (i.e. the day of Messiah), says the LORD of hosts, shall you call in every man his neighbor under the vine and under his own fig tree.' " (i.e. invite to sit down and feast.)

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