Keraia
Zechariah 3

Zechariah 3:1

The Vision of Joshua the High Priest · Zechariah 3:1–10
Read Zechariah 3

Translations

Modern
Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
Traditional
And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Literal
And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of YHWH, and Satan was standing at his right hand to oppose him.
Latin
Et ostendit mihi Dominus Jesum sacerdotem magnum, stantem coram angelo Domini: et Satan stabat a dextris ejus ut adversaretur ei.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

Notes

Zechariah 3:1

  • Jeshua was the high priest and the religious leader among those who returned to Judah from exile in Babylon (Ezra 2:2). Jeshua worked with Zerubbabel, the governor of the restored community. They worked together to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 5:2; Haggai 2:1–5).

  • Satan (literally The satan) is a member of the heavenly court. His role is to bring charges against human beings for wrongdoing. He speaks against them before God (see Job 1:6).

    This adversarial role could be carried out by either human or divine beings (see Numbers 22:22; 1 Samuel 29:4; 1 Chronicles 21:1).

    By New Testament times, Satan had become a personal name. It referred to the ruler of demons and the chief opponent of God’s work (Mark 3:22; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:11; Revelation 20:2).

  • Satan's authority in the heavenly court is shown by his position at the angel’s right hand.

Zechariah 3:1–10

The prophet’s vision shows a heavenly court scene. Satan accuses Jeshua the high priest and claims that he is not fit to serve in his priestly role.

Zechariah 1:7–6:15

These eight visions helped the Judeans overcome their fears and trust in God's promises. The visions happened two months after Haggai's last two messages (Haggai 2:10–19, 20–23). They suggest that Haggai's prophecies were coming true.

Theme notes and profiles

Satan Jesus and Satan

Events

People

Joshua: High priest during the rebuilding of the temple Satan: The adversary, the devil, the tempter of humanity

Glossary

Apocalyptic Jeshua (Person) Joshua (Person) Satan Zechariah, Book of

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Zechariah, in a Vision Jeshua: Symbolical: Prophecies Concerning Joshua: Symbolical of the Restoration of God's People Satan: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Devil: Opposes God's Work The Hands: The Right Hand: The Accuser Stood At, of the Accused Vision of Zechariah of the High Priest Visions: To Zechariah