Zechariah 3

1 Then the angel [messenger of God] showed me Joshua the high priest standing [in a position of strength and authority] before the angel [representative] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], with Satan [the adversary, opponent of God] standing [in opposition] at his right hand [the right hand or side; the south] to accuse [resist, oppose] him. word study 2 And the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] said to Satan [the arch-enemy of good]: “The LORD [the supreme Ruler] rebukes [to reprove or correct] you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen [to select or elect] Jerusalem [the city of peace], rebukes [to reprove or correct] you! Is not this man a firebrand [a burning stick] snatched [rescued or delivered] from the fire [burning, flame]?” word study 3 Now Joshua [the leader] was dressed [clothed, wrapped] in filthy [soiled, unclean] garments [robes, clothing] as he stood [was standing, in the presence] before [in the face, in front of] the angel [messenger, divine representative]. word study 4 So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy [soiled] clothes [garments, robes]!” Then he said to Joshua, “See [behold, look], I have removed [taken away, caused to pass from] your [moral evil, sin] iniquity, and I will clothe [wrap, cover] you with [rich, splendid, change of] splendid robes [garments, attire].” word study 5 Then I said, “Let them put a clean [pure] turban [mitre, head-dress] on his head [the topmost part of the body].” So a clean [fair, spotless] turban was placed on his head, and they clothed [wrapped, dressed] him, as the angel [messenger, representative] of the LORD [Yehovah] stood by [stood watch, was present]. word study 6 Then the angel [messenger of God, divine representative] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord of Israel] gave this charge [solemnly advised, testified] to Joshua [leader of Israel, God’s servant]: word study 7 “This is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [army, a large group of people or things] says: ‘If you walk [follow, live according to] in My ways [path, manner of life] and keep [obey, guard] My instructions [charge, command], then you will govern [judge, rule over] My house [temple, dwelling place] and will also have charge [keep, care for] of My courts [courtyards, areas surrounding the temple]; and I will give [grant, allow] you a place [position, access] among these who are standing [remaining, attending] here. word study 8 Hear now [pay attention, listen carefully], O high priest [spiritual leader, one who serves God] Joshua, you and your companions [fellow priests, neighbors] seated before you, who are indeed [truly, in reality] a sign [token, wonder]. For behold [look, see], I am going to bring [introduce, present] My servant [one who serves, attendant], the Branch [sprout, new growth]. word study 9 See the stone [a precious gem, a weight] I have set [placed, put] before Joshua [the leader]; on that one stone [a single, unique stone] are seven [a sacred] eyes [sources of insight, spiritual perception]. Behold [look, see], I will engrave [carve, inscribe] on it an inscription [a message, a declaration], declares the LORD of Hosts [the God of armies, the supreme Commander], and I will remove [take away, eliminate] the iniquity [moral evil, sin] of this land [the earth, the territory] in a single [one, unified] day [a period of time, an era]. word study 10 On that day [of great rejoicing, in that future time], declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people], you will each invite [call, summon] your neighbor [friend, companion] to sit [dwell, rest] under your own vine [a grapevine] and fig tree [a common food source].’” word study