Zechariah 3:8
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Original Language Analysis
שְֽׁמַֽע
Hear
H8085
שְֽׁמַֽע
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָ֞א
H4994
נָ֞א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 19
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ׀
now O Joshua
H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ׀
now O Joshua
Strong's:
H3091
Word #:
3 of 19
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּד֗וֹל
the high
H1419
הַגָּד֗וֹל
the high
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
5 of 19
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֣ים
that sit
H3427
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֣ים
that sit
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֔יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
9 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
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַנְשֵׁ֥י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֥י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵבִ֛יא
for behold I will bring forth
H935
מֵבִ֛יא
for behold I will bring forth
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
16 of 19
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:Zechariah 6:12And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:Isaiah 53:2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.Isaiah 42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.Jeremiah 33:15In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.Isaiah 20:3And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;Isaiah 4:2In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.Isaiah 52:13Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.Isaiah 53:11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Historical Context
The Davidic monarchy had ended with Jeconiah's exile (597 BC), and Zerubbabel the governor, though Davidic, never became king. No earthly king sat on David's throne during the Second Temple period. The 'Branch' promises that God hasn't abandoned His covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). The future Messiah will fulfill what the post-exilic community only foreshadows. The priests are 'signs' pointing to the Priest-King yet to come.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'Branch' title combine Davidic royal lineage with new-growth imagery of resurrection?
- In what ways did Jesus fulfill the dual role of 'Servant' and 'Branch'?
- How does recognizing ourselves as 'signs' pointing to Christ change our sense of purpose?
Analysis & Commentary
Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at—Transition from Joshua personally to the priesthood corporately. The rē'eḵā (רֵעֶיךָ, 'thy companions/fellows') are fellow priests. The phrase anshē mōphēt hēmmāh (אַנְשֵׁי מוֹפֵת הֵמָּה, 'men of a sign/portent') designates them as living prophecy—their very existence and ministry foreshadow future realities. Isaiah and his children were similarly 'signs and wonders' (Isaiah 8:18). The restored priesthood points beyond itself to greater fulfillment.
For, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH—Climactic messianic revelation. Et-'aḇḏi tsemach (אֶת־עַבְדִּי צֶמַח, 'my servant the Branch') combines two key titles. 'Servant' recalls Isaiah's Suffering Servant (Isaiah 42:1; 52:13; 53:11) who bears sin and justifies many. 'Branch' (tsemach, צֶמַח) appears in Isaiah 4:2, Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15, depicting the Davidic Messiah sprouting from Jesse's seemingly dead stump (Isaiah 11:1). Zechariah uses 'Branch' four times (3:8; 6:12 twice), emphasizing Messiah's dual role as both suffering Servant and reigning King. The definite article 'THE Branch' marks Him as the unique, promised Shoot. Jesus is the Branch—from David's line, God's obedient Servant, the righteous King who will build the true temple (6:12-13).