Zechariah 3:4
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַן
And he answered
H6030
וַיַּ֣עַן
And he answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
הָעֹמְדִ֤ים
unto those that stood
H5975
הָעֹמְדִ֤ים
unto those that stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
4 of 19
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
לְפָנָיו֙
before
H6440
לְפָנָיו֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מֵעָלָ֑יו
H5921
מֵעָלָ֑יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רְאֵ֨ה
Behold
H7200
רְאֵ֨ה
Behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
13 of 19
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי
to pass
H5674
הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי
to pass
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
14 of 19
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
מֵעָלֶ֙יךָ֙
H5921
מֵעָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
15 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֲוֹנֶ֔ךָ
I have caused thine iniquity
H5771
עֲוֹנֶ֔ךָ
I have caused thine iniquity
Strong's:
H5771
Word #:
16 of 19
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
וְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁ
from thee and I will clothe
H3847
וְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁ
from thee and I will clothe
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Isaiah 61:10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Luke 15:22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:Revelation 7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.Ezekiel 36:25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.Isaiah 43:25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.Zechariah 3:7Thus 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.Micah 7:18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.Hebrews 8:12For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Historical Context
The actual priesthood restoration ceremony would have included ceremonial washing and investiture (Exodus 29:4-9; Leviticus 8:6-13). This vision transcends ritual to show spiritual reality: forgiveness precedes service. The cleansed priesthood could now mediate between God and the restored community, offering acceptable sacrifices in the rebuilt temple.
Questions for Reflection
- How does instant robe-changing (not gradual cleaning) illustrate justification versus sanctification?
- Why must God both remove filthy garments AND clothe with new robes (both negative and positive righteousness)?
- In what areas do you struggle to accept that God has 'caused iniquity to pass away' rather than dwelling on shame?
Analysis & Commentary
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him—The Angel of the LORD commands the removal of defiled robes. The imperative hāsīrū (הָסִירוּ, 'remove/take away') effects instant cleansing—not gradual improvement but decisive justification. The mal'ākīm (מַלְאָכִים, 'angels/messengers') serve as heaven's wardrobe attendants executing divine pardon.
And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee—Direct address to Joshua: he'ĕbartī (הֶעֱבַרְתִּי, 'I have caused to pass away') in the perfect tense indicates completed action. God doesn't merely cover sin but transfers it away. The noun 'āwōn (עָוֹן, 'iniquity/guilt') encompasses both sin and its punishment. And I will clothe thee with change of raiment—machalātsōt (מַחֲלָצוֹת, 'festive robes/rich garments') replaces filth with finery, shame with splendor. This pictures imputed righteousness: 'He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness' (Isaiah 61:10). The divine passive voice emphasizes grace—Joshua contributes nothing to his re-robing, anticipating the wedding garment parable (Matthew 22:11-12) and Revelation's white robes washed in the Lamb's blood (Revelation 7:14).