Zechariah 3

Zechariah · Chapter 3

Zechariah 3:2

1And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.4And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.5And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.6And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.9For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.10In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
2And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?”And Jehovah said unto Satan, Jehovah rebuke thee, O Satan; yea, Jehovah that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

In a night vision, Zechariah sees Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan at his right hand to oppose him. The LORD answers Satan with a rebuke and calls Joshua a burning stick snatched out of the fire. Joshua's filthy garments are then taken away and his iniquity removed. Zechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:2Zechariah 3:3Zechariah 3:4Zechariah overview

Commonly taken out of context

How it’s often used"The Lord rebuke thee, Satan" is often used as a set phrase or formula for a believer to drive off the devil.

In contextHere the rebuke comes from the LORD himself, and it rests on his choice of Jerusalem and his rescue of Joshua, not on the power of the words. Jude 1:9 makes the same point: even Michael the archangel "durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee," leaving the rebuke to God. Zechariah 3:2Jude 1:9

SpeakingThe verse says the LORD spoke to Satan. In the scene, Joshua stands before the angel of the LORD, and Zechariah reports what he was shown. Zechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:2

ToThe words are spoken to Satan, who stood at Joshua's right hand to resist him. Zechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:2

Also involvedJoshua the high priest is the one defended. He was a leader of the people who had returned from exile in Babylon, and the vision ends with God promising to remove the iniquity of the land. Zechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:9Zechariah overview

Satan stands as an accuser against Joshua, who is wearing filthy garments. The LORD does not argue the charge. He rebukes the accuser on the ground that he has chosen Jerusalem, and he points to Joshua as one already rescued from the fire. Then he cleanses and reclothes him. Zechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:2Zechariah 3:3Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:5Strong's H7854

Zechariah received his messages in Jerusalem among the returned exiles. The vision itself pictures a scene before the angel of the LORD, where the LORD speaks of his house and courts. Zechariah overviewZechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:7Jerusalem

JUDAHMediterranean SeaJerusalemTyreSidonDamascusHamath 1GazaAshdodMegiddo

The eventsThis is one of Zechariah's eight night visions. They came while the returned exiles were being urged to rebuild the temple in the time of Darius king of Persia, about 520 BC. Zechariah overview

WrittenTraditional view: Zechariah wrote it between about 520 and 518 BC. Scholarly view: most scholars agree that chapters 1-8, which include this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview

HereThe verse shows that the accuser cannot keep God's chosen people from him. God's choice of Jerusalem, not Joshua's own cleanliness, is the ground for silencing Satan. Zechariah 3:2Zechariah 3:3Zechariah 1:17Zechariah 2:12

In the whole of ScriptureThe vision moves from accusation to cleansing. Joshua's iniquity is taken away, God promises his servant the BRANCH, and he says he will remove the iniquity of the land in one day. Romans 8:33 voices the same truth: "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth." Revelation 12:10 speaks of "the accuser of our brethren" being cast down. Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:8Zechariah 3:9Romans 8:33Revelation 12:10

For readersThe vision came to the returned exiles while they were being urged to rebuild the temple. It showed their high priest defended against the accuser, cleansed and reclothed, and it promised that God would remove the iniquity of the land. That gave them reason to take heart and keep building. Zechariah overviewZechariah 3:2Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:9

  • Satanבְּלִיַּ֫עַל
    Hebrew · be.liy.ya.al · H7854

    The word here is glossed "the accuser," which fits his role in 3:1 of standing at Joshua's right hand to resist him. Revelation 12:9-10 names Satan as "the accuser of our brethren." Strong's H7854Zechariah 3:1Revelation 12:9Revelation 12:10

  • hath chosenבָּחַר
    Hebrew · ba.char · H0977

    It means to choose or elect. The same promise that the LORD "shall yet choose Jerusalem" appears in Zechariah 1:17 and 2:12, so God's choice is the ground of his rebuke. Strong's H0977Zechariah 1:17Zechariah 2:12

  • brandאוּד
    Hebrew · ud · H0181

    It means a firebrand, a burning stick. Amos 4:11 uses the same picture for Israel spared from overthrow: "as a firebrand plucked out of the burning." Strong's H0181Amos 4:11

  • plucked outנָצַל
    Hebrew · na.tsal · H5337

    It means to snatch away, deliver, or rescue. Its range includes delivering from enemies, from death, and from sin and guilt. That matches what follows, when Joshua's iniquity is taken away. Strong's H5337Zechariah 3:4

Takeaway

When the accuser stands against God's people, God himself answers him. He has chosen them and rescued them, and he cleanses them. As Romans 8:33 says, "It is God that justifieth." Zechariah 3:2Zechariah 3:4Romans 8:33

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Joshua the high priest, high priest
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2

About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.

Who ruled
  • King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC

    Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription

  • Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC

    A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8

  • High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC

    Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2

  • Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC

    The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13

What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
  1. 539 BC
    WarBabylon falls to Cyrus

    Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder

  2. 538 BC
    God's peopleThe first return

    Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65

  3. c. 536 BC
    God's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops

    The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24

  4. 525 BC
    WarPersia conquers Egypt

    Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16

  5. 522-521 BC
    WarDarius crushes the revolts

    When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11

  6. 520 BC
    God's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build

    In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1

  7. c. 520-519 BC
    RulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree

    Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12

  8. 515 BC
    BuildingThe second temple is finished

    The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9

  9. 490-479 BC
    WarPersia's wars with Greece

    Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13

  10. 445 BC
    BuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls

    Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15

  11. 332 BC
    WarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza

    Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Where

Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
and he saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai-YO-merH0559
to say

אָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Yahwehיְהוָ֜הYAH-wehH3068G
Lord

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

toאֶל־'el-H0413
to(wards)

אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

the accuserהַשָּׂטָ֗ןha-sa-TANH7854
Belial

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) A name like sa.tan (שָׂטָן "Satan" H7854) This name means worthless, base, wicked

may he rebukeיִגְעַ֨רyig-'ARH1605
to rebuke

גָּעַר (ga.ar) (Qal) to rebuke, reprove, corrupt

Yahwehיְהוָ֤הYAH-wehH3068G
Lord

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

O accuserהַשָּׂטָ֔ןha-sa-TANH7854
Belial

בְּלִיַּ֫עַל (be.liy.ya.al) A name like sa.tan (שָׂטָן "Satan" H7854) This name means worthless, base, wicked

and may he rebukeוְיִגְעַ֤רve-yig-'ARH1605
to rebuke

גָּעַר (ga.ar) (Qal) to rebuke, reprove, corrupt

Yahwehיְהוָה֙YAH-wehH3068G
Lord

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

who has chosenהַבֹּחֵ֖רha-bo-CHERH0977
to choose

בָּחַר (ba.char) 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected

in Jerusalemבִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑םbi-ru-sha-LIMH3389
Ariel

אֲרִיאֵל (a.ri.el) Ariel = "lion of God" or "lioness of God" Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

¿ notהֲל֧וֹאha-LO'H3808
not

לֹא (lo) 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

[is] thisזֶ֦הzehH2088
that

דִּי (di) part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

a piece of firewoodא֖וּד'udH0181
firebrand

אוּד (ud) brand, fire brand

plucked outמֻצָּ֥לmu-TZALH5337
to rescue

נָצַל (na.tsal) 1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself 1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to strip off, spoil 1b2) to deliver 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to take away, snatch away 1c2) to rescue, recover 1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death) 1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt 1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out 1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)

from a fireמֵאֵֽשׁ׃me-'ESHH0784
fire

אֵשׁ (esh) 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.