Zechariah 3:7
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Thus 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. | “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here. | Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedIn a vision, Joshua the high priest stands before the angel of the LORD in filthy garments, and God takes away his iniquity and clothes him anew. Then the angel gives him the LORD's charge. If Joshua walks in God's ways and keeps his charge, he will govern God's house, guard its courts, and have free access among those standing there. Zechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:3Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:5Zechariah 3:6Zechariah 3:7
SpeakingThe angel of the LORD speaks, passing on the word of "the LORD of hosts." Zechariah 3:6Zechariah 3:7
ToJoshua the high priest, newly cleansed and clothed in the vision. Zechariah 3:1Zechariah 3:5Zechariah 3:6
Also involvedJoshua's fellow priests who sit before him are addressed next. The promise also bears on God's house and its courts, and on the land whose iniquity God will remove. Zechariah 3:8Zechariah 3:9Zechariah 3:7
This is a conditional promise. If Joshua obeys God and faithfully does his priestly duty, God will give him rule over the temple, the keeping of its courts, and a place among those who stand in God's presence. These are the same attendants who removed his filthy garments. Zechariah 3:7Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:5Strong's H0518AStrong's H4109
Zechariah received his messages in Jerusalem among the returned exiles. The "house" and "courts" are God's temple there, which was then being rebuilt. Zechariah overviewZechariah 3:7
The eventsThe vision came while the returned exiles were rebuilding the temple, in the reign of Darius king of Persia, about 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it in 520-518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree chapters 1-8, including this verse, come from Zechariah in those years. Many assign chapters 9-14 to later writers. Zechariah overview
HereGod confirms that Joshua's priesthood is restored after his cleansing. He also makes clear that serving in God's house depends on walking in God's ways. This supported the work of rebuilding the temple. Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:7Zechariah overview
In the whole of ScriptureThe charge stands within a larger promise. God will bring forth "my servant the BRANCH" and "remove the iniquity of that land in one day." This fits the book's call: "turn ye unto me... and I will turn unto you." Zechariah 3:8Zechariah 3:9Zechariah overview
For readersGod cleanses first (3:4), then calls for faithful obedience, and attaches responsibility and nearness to him. Scripture shows the same pattern elsewhere. Priests who "kept the charge" were allowed to come near and minister (Ezekiel 44:15-16). Jeremiah was told, "If thou return... thou shalt stand before me." Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:7Ezekiel 44:15Ezekiel 44:16Jeremiah 15:19
- chargeמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת
The word means guard, charge, obligation, or a ceremonial office or function. It is the priestly duty found in "keep the charge of the LORD" (Leviticus 8:35) and in Ezekiel 44:16. Strong's H4931Leviticus 8:35Ezekiel 44:16
- judgeדִּין
Its senses include to act as judge and to govern, and it is glossed "you will govern" here. So "judge my house" means having authority over the running of the temple. Strong's H1777Zechariah 3:7
- keepשָׁמַר
The word means to keep, guard, or keep watch. Joshua is to guard God's courts, which are the temple enclosures. Strong's H8104HStrong's H2691A
- places to walkמַהְלֵךְ
The word means walk, goings, or free access. God promises Joshua free access among those standing in his presence. Strong's H4109Strong's H5975GZechariah 3:4
- ifאִם
This particle marks a conditional clause, and it appears twice. The promises that follow depend on Joshua walking in God's ways and keeping his charge. Strong's H0518AZechariah 3:7
Takeaway
After cleansing Joshua, God set before him a clear condition: walk in my ways and keep my charge. The reward was authority over God's house and a place near God. Zechariah 3:4Zechariah 3:7Ezekiel 44:15
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
- 539 BCWarBabylon 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
- 538 BCGod'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
- c. 536 BCGod'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
- 525 BCWarPersia 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
- 522-521 BCWarDarius 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
- 520 BCGod'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
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius 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
- 515 BCBuildingThe 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
- 490-479 BCWarPersia'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
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah 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
- 332 BCWarAlexander 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.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thus | כֹּה־ | koh- | H3541 | thusכֹּה (koh) 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542) |
| he says | אָמַ֞ר | 'a-MAR | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (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) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֣ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (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) |
| of hosts | צְבָא֗וֹת | tze-va-'ot | H6635B | Hostsצָבָא (tsa.va) The Hosts (of the Lord) Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| if | אִם־ | 'im- | H0518A | ifאִם (im) : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather |
| in ways my | בִּדְרָכַ֤י | bid-ra-KHAI | H1870G | way: conductדֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) : conduct/lifestyle 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.) |
| you will walk | תֵּלֵךְ֙ | te-leKh | H1980I | to goהוּךְ (hukh) (P'al) to go, come, walk, be brought Aramaic of ha.lakh (הָלַךְ ": walk" H1980) |
| and if | וְאִ֣ם | ve-'IM | H0518A | ifאִם (im) : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather |
| charge my | מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣י | mish-mar-TI | H4931 | chargeמִשְׁמֶ֫רֶת (mish.me.ret) 1) guard, charge, function, obligation, service, watch 1a) guard, watch, house of detention or confinement 1b) keeping, preserving 1c) charge, injunction 1d) office, function (ceremonial) |
| you will keep | תִשְׁמֹ֔ר | tish-MOR | H8104G | to keep: obeyשָׁמַר (sha.mar) : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded … |
| and also | וְגַם־ | ve-gam- | H1571 | alsoגַּם (gam) 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike |
| you | אַתָּה֙ | 'a-TAH | H0859A | youאַנְתָּה (an.tah) you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A) |
| you will govern | תָּדִ֣ין | ta-DIN | H1777 | to judgeדִּין (din) 1) to judge, contend, plead 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as judge, minister judgment 1a2) to plead a cause 1a3) to execute judgment, requite, vindicate 1a4) to govern 1a5) to contend, strive 1b) (Niphal) to be at strife, quarrel Aramaic equivalent: din (דִּין "to judge" H1778) |
| house my | בֵּיתִ֔י | bei-TI | H1004B | to lodgeבִּית (but) (P'al) to pass the night, lodge Aramaic of ba.yit (בַּ֫יִת ": home" H1004B) |
| and also | וְגַ֖ם | ve-GAM | H1571 | alsoגַּם (gam) 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike |
| you will guard | תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר | tish-MOR | H8104H | to keep: obeyשָׁמַר (sha.mar) : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded … |
| courts my | חֲצֵרָ֑י | cha-tze-RAI | H2691A | courtחָצֵר (cha.tser) 1) court, enclosure 1a) enclosures 1b) court |
| and I will give | וְנָתַתִּ֤י | ve-na-ta-TI | H5414G | to give: giveנָתַן (na.tan) : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted … |
| goings | מַהְלְכִ֔ים | mah-le-KHIM | H4109 | pathמַהְלֵךְ (mah.lekh) 1) (Hiphil) walk, journey, going, place to walk 1a) walk 1b) journey 1c) goings, free access |
| between | בֵּ֥ין | bein | H0996G | betweenבַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between |
| those [who] are standing | הָעֹמְדִ֖ים | ha-'o-me-DIM | H5975G | to stand: standעָמַד (a.mad) : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against … |
| the these | הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ | ha-'E-leh | H0428 | theseאֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.