Zechariah 3:7

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

כֹּה H3541
כֹּה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 26
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֞ר Thus saith H559
אָמַ֞ר Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 26
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֗וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֗וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 4 of 26
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 5 of 26
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בִּדְרָכַ֤י in my ways H1870
בִּדְרָכַ֤י in my ways
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 6 of 26
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
תֵּלֵךְ֙ H1980
תֵּלֵךְ֙
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 7 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאִ֣ם H518
וְאִ֣ם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 8 of 26
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣י my charge H4931
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣י my charge
Strong's: H4931
Word #: 10 of 26
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר and if thou wilt keep H8104
תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר and if thou wilt keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 11 of 26
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
וְגַם H1571
וְגַם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 12 of 26
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אַתָּה֙ H859
אַתָּה֙
Strong's: H859
Word #: 13 of 26
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
תָּדִ֣ין then thou shalt also judge H1777
תָּדִ֣ין then thou shalt also judge
Strong's: H1777
Word #: 14 of 26
to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּיתִ֔י my house H1004
בֵּיתִ֔י my house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 16 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְגַ֖ם H1571
וְגַ֖ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 17 of 26
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר and if thou wilt keep H8104
תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר and if thou wilt keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 18 of 26
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 19 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֲצֵרָ֑י my courts H2691
חֲצֵרָ֑י my courts
Strong's: H2691
Word #: 20 of 26
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
וְנָתַתִּ֤י and I will give H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֤י and I will give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 21 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְךָ֙ H0
לְךָ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 22 of 26
מַהְלְכִ֔ים thee places to walk H4108
מַהְלְכִ֔ים thee places to walk
Strong's: H4108
Word #: 23 of 26
a walking (plural collectively), i.e., access
בֵּ֥ין H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 24 of 26
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הָעֹמְדִ֖ים among these that stand by H5975
הָעֹמְדִ֖ים among these that stand by
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 25 of 26
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ H428
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
Strong's: H428
Word #: 26 of 26
these or those

Analysis & Commentary

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—Conditional covenant blessings tied to faithful obedience. The dual 'if' clauses establish prerequisites: teleḵ bidərāḵay (תֵּלֵךְ בִּדְרָכַי, 'walk in my ways') demands lifestyle conformity to God's character and commands, while tishmōr et-mishmarti (תִּשְׁמֹר אֶת־מִשְׁמַרְתִּי, 'keep my charge') requires faithful discharge of priestly duties (Leviticus 8:35; Numbers 3:7-8).

Then thou shalt also judge my house—tādīn et-bēytī (תָּדִין אֶת־בֵּיתִי, 'govern/administer my house') grants judicial and administrative authority over the temple and its operations. And I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by—Astounding promise: mahləḵīm (מַהְלְכִים, 'free access/right of entry') among the standing angels. The high priest gains access to the heavenly court, walking among the 'ōməḏīm (עֹמְדִים, 'those standing')—the angelic ministers around God's throne. This previews believers' access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19-22) and our destiny as co-heirs with Christ, seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Faithful earthly service earns eternal privilege in God's presence.

Historical Context

The high priest's unique access to the Holy of Holies once yearly (Leviticus 16) foreshadowed this greater access. Joshua's obedience would determine whether the priesthood functioned as intended—mediating between God and people, teaching Torah, and maintaining temple worship. The promise of 'walking among' angels elevates priestly service from earthly ritual to participation in cosmic worship.

Questions for Reflection