Zechariah 6 13

Zechariah 6:13 kjv

Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Zechariah 6:13 nkjv

Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both." '

Zechariah 6:13 niv

It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.'

Zechariah 6:13 esv

It is he who shall build the temple of the LORD and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."'

Zechariah 6:13 nlt

Yes, he will build the Temple of the LORD. Then he will receive royal honor and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.'

Zechariah 6 verses

Zechariah 6 13 Meaning

Zechariah 6:13 foretells the coming Messianic King, referred to as "the Branch," who will rebuild the spiritual temple of the Lord. He will bear unique glory and majesty, simultaneously occupying and exercising authority from His royal throne while also serving as a priest upon that same throne. This unprecedented union of kingship and priesthood within one individual, Christ Jesus, establishes a divine "counsel of peace" — a perfectly harmonized plan for peace and reconciliation — stemming from these two integrated roles.

Zechariah 6 13 Context

Zechariah chapter 6 concludes a series of eight night visions given to the prophet. These visions primarily served to encourage the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest) to rebuild the temple after the Babylonian exile. They highlighted God's sovereignty, protection, and ultimate plans for Jerusalem and His people.

Specifically, Zechariah 6:9-15 describes a symbolic crowning of Joshua, the High Priest, with elaborate crowns that are then stored as a memorial. This act, however, immediately transitions in verse 12-13 to refer to a future figure identified as "the Branch," who "shall build the temple of the LORD." This establishes a direct Messianic prophecy, distinguishing the future Branch from the contemporary figures. The physical temple building effort (by Zerubbabel and Joshua) serves as a temporal, typological precursor to the greater, spiritual temple-building work of the Messiah. The passage highlights that the Branch, not Joshua, holds the ultimate divine commission for temple restoration and glorious rule. It indirectly addresses contemporary hopes placed solely on human leaders by pointing to a greater, divinely appointed leader who transcends their limited roles.

Zechariah 6 13 Word analysis

• Even he (והוא - vehu`): The conjunction "and" or "even" combined with the emphatic pronoun "he." This strongly points back to the figure introduced as "the Branch" (צֶ֫מַח - Tzemach) in Zech 6:12, identifying that specific, pre-eminent individual as the subject of these momentous actions. It distinguishes "the Branch" from Joshua, emphasizing divine intention for the future Messiah.
• shall build (יִבְנֶה - yibneh): From the root בנה (banah), meaning "to build, establish, make permanent." While the immediate context involved rebuilding the physical temple, this term is understood in a larger, Messianic sense here. This is not about brick and mortar but establishing a spiritual house or community, God's true dwelling place, through salvation and new covenant.
• the temple (הֵיכַל - Heykal): Refers to the sanctuary, the palace, or the great house, often specifically the Temple in Jerusalem. In this prophetic context, "the temple of the LORD" built by the Branch refers not to the literal structure rebuilt in Zechariah's day but to the Messianic community, the Church, where God's Spirit dwells (Eph 2:20-22).
• of the LORD (יְהֹוָה - YHVH): The covenant name of God, indicating His ownership and ultimate authority over this new temple and the work done by the Branch.
• and he (והוא - vehu`): Again, the emphatic pronoun, continuing to highlight the unique person and his singular qualifications for these multifaceted roles.
• shall bear (יִשָּׂא - yissa): From נשא (nasa), meaning "to lift up, carry, bear." Here, it signifies "to receive," "to hold," or "to manifest" something of weight or importance.
• the glory (הוֹד - hod): Denotes majesty, splendor, honor, beauty, and authority, often used to describe divine glory or the magnificence of kings. The Branch is portrayed as inheriting and embodying inherent divine majesty.
• and shall sit (וְיָשַׁב - ve-yashav): From ישב (yashav), meaning "to sit, dwell, abide." In the context of a throne, it signifies taking up permanent residence, being firmly established in authority.
• and rule (וּמָשַׁל - u-mashal): From משל (mashal), meaning "to rule, reign, govern, have dominion." This clearly establishes the Messianic figure as a king.
• upon his throne (עַל-כִּסְאֹו - ʿal-kisse’o): The phrase identifies the place of established royal authority and supreme sovereignty. It highlights the Messianic reign over all creation.
• and he shall be (וְהָיָה - ve-hayah): Indicates existence, becoming, or the continuation of a state.
• a priest (כֹּהֵן - kohen): Refers to an individual authorized to mediate between God and humanity through sacrifices and intercession. Under the Mosaic Law, kingship and priesthood were strictly separate (e.g., Uzziah's judgment for usurping priestly duties in 2 Chr 26).
• upon his throne (עַל-כִּסְאֹו - ʿal-kisse’o): The repetition of "upon his throne" after the priestly title is profoundly significant. It directly links the priestly function to the royal throne, dissolving the Mosaic separation and pointing to the Melchizedekian order, where King and Priest are unified in one person, the Messiah. This denotes an active, authoritative priesthood directly tied to his reigning status.
• and the counsel (וַעֲצַת - va-ʿatzat): From עצה (ʿetzah), meaning "counsel, plan, advice, purpose." It implies a deliberation, a deliberate course of action, a wisdom that guides.
• of peace (שָׁלוֹם - shalom): Denotes comprehensive well-being, wholeness, prosperity, security, and tranquility; a state of complete harmony, not merely absence of conflict. It reflects the Messiah's role as the "Prince of Peace."
• shall be between them both (בֵּין שְׁנֵיהֶם - ben shneyhem): This refers to the unified presence and perfect agreement of the Kingly and Priestly functions within the Messiah. The 'counsel of peace' does not result from two distinct parties collaborating, but from the harmonious integration of two essential Messianic roles within one glorious person. This dual, integrated office will bring about the fullness of God's redemptive purpose, culminating in complete peace and reconciliation between God and humanity.

Zechariah 6 13 Bonus section

• The dual role of King and Priest in Zechariah 6:13 is central to Christian understanding of Jesus Christ. Prior to the Messiah, no one was permitted to hold both offices simultaneously under the Mosaic Law. Kings were of Judah, priests of Levi. The violation of this distinction (e.g., King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26 attempting to burn incense) resulted in divine judgment. Therefore, Zechariah's prophecy speaks to a new divine order fulfilled only in Jesus, who fulfills the promises of both a Davidic King and an eternal Priest "after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 7), uniting humanity to God.
• The "Branch" (צֶמַח - Tzemach) is a significant Messianic title recurring in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah. It speaks of a renewed shoot from a cut-down lineage (David's line), signaling restoration and new life for God's people. In Zechariah 3:8 and 6:12, it directly points to the future Messianic figure.
• While Joshua (the high priest of Zechariah's time) wears the crowns as a symbol in the preceding verses (Zech 6:11), the immediate transfer of the prophecy to "the Branch" (verse 12) clarifies that Joshua is a type, a prefigurement, rather than the fulfillment. The crowning is symbolic, pointing to the true King-Priest. The physical crowns were a "memorial" to the One who would ultimately bear the glory and sit on the throne.
• The "counsel of peace" being "between them both" refers to the perfect unity of purpose within Christ Himself between His kingly authority and His priestly ministry. His reign as King establishes justice and peace, and His priesthood provides atonement and mediation, leading to a complete, holistic peace with God. This divine design is perfectly realized in the Person of Jesus.

Zechariah 6 13 Commentary

Zechariah 6:13 provides a profound prophecy of the coming Messiah, distinct from any Old Testament figure, by portraying Him as both King and Priest, roles previously separated by divine decree. The "Branch" is identified as the true builder of God's spiritual "temple," which ultimately refers to the redeemed community of believers, the Church, founded upon Christ Himself. He embodies inherent "glory," reflecting His divine nature and ultimate exaltation. His simultaneous "sitting and ruling upon his throne" as King, and "being a priest upon his throne," signifies a perfect and authoritative integration of absolute sovereign power and mediatorial intercession. This union creates "the counsel of peace," a divinely ordained plan executed through Christ's sacrificial and kingly work, bringing reconciliation and shalom between God and humanity, and establishing the unified and perfected rule of God through His Son. This verse succinctly encapsulates the unique essence of Christ's eternal ministry as our Royal Priest, whose redemptive work brings ultimate peace.