Zechariah 3:5

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֹמַ֕ר
And I said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
וַיָּשִׂימוּ֩
Let them set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#3
הַצָּנִ֨יף
mitre
a head-dress (i.e., piece of cloth wrapped around)
#4
הַטָּה֜וֹר
a fair
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
#5
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
רֹאשׁ֗וֹ
upon his head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#7
וַיָּשִׂימוּ֩
Let them set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#8
הַצָּנִ֨יף
mitre
a head-dress (i.e., piece of cloth wrapped around)
#9
הַטָּה֜וֹר
a fair
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
רֹאשׁ֗וֹ
upon his head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#12
וַיַּלְבִּשֻׁ֙הוּ֙
and clothed
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
#13
בְּגָדִ֔ים
him with garments
a covering, i.e., clothing
#14
וּמַלְאַ֥ךְ
And the angel
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
#15
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
עֹמֵֽד׃
stood by
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection