Zechariah 3:9
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֙תִּי֙
that I have laid
H5414
נָתַ֙תִּי֙
that I have laid
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶחָֽד׃
in one
H259
אֶחָֽד׃
in one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
שִׁבְעָ֣ה
shall be seven
H7651
שִׁבְעָ֣ה
shall be seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
11 of 25
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
עֵינָ֑יִם
eyes
H5869
עֵינָ֑יִם
eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
12 of 25
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מְפַתֵּ֣חַ
behold I will engrave
H6605
מְפַתֵּ֣חַ
behold I will engrave
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
14 of 25
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
פִּתֻּחָ֗הּ
the graving
H6603
פִּתֻּחָ֗הּ
the graving
Strong's:
H6603
Word #:
15 of 25
sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio)
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
18 of 25
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וּמַשְׁתִּ֛י
and I will remove
H4185
וּמַשְׁתִּ֛י
and I will remove
Strong's:
H4185
Word #:
19 of 25
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַהִ֖יא
H1931
הַהִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
23 of 25
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Zechariah 4:10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.Jeremiah 50:20In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.Isaiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.Revelation 5:6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Psalms 118:22The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.Jeremiah 31:34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.Romans 9:33As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.Hebrews 7:27Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.2 Corinthians 1:22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Historical Context
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) occurred yearly (Leviticus 16), but this prophecy promises permanent, once-for-all atonement 'in one day.' Hebrews 9:12, 26 declares that Christ 'by his own blood entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption.' The 'one day' of Zechariah 3:9 is the 'one sacrifice for sins forever' of Hebrews 10:12.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'stone with seven eyes' combine Christ's role as foundation with God's omniscient governance?
- Why is the 'one day' removal of iniquity so significant compared to annual sacrifices?
- What does God 'engraving the stone' Himself (not human engraving) reveal about salvation's source?
Analysis & Commentary
For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes—Mysterious symbolism debated by scholars. The eḇen (אֶבֶן, 'stone') laid before the high priest may be:
The 'seven eyes' (shiḇ'āh 'ēynayim, שִׁבְעָה עֵינָיִם) represent complete divine knowledge and providential oversight (Revelation 5:6 identifies them as 'the seven Spirits of God'). The stone simultaneously represents Christ (the foundation stone, Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:6) and God's omniscient watch over His redemptive purposes.
Behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day—Mephattēach pittūchāh (מְפַתֵּחַ פִּתֻּחָהּ, 'I will engrave its engraving') depicts God carving an inscription on the stone—perhaps like the 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD' plate (Exodus 28:36) or the law written on stone tablets, but here accomplished by God Himself. The promise I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day points to decisive atonement. Beyōm echāḏ (בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, 'in one day') prophesies Christ's crucifixion—the day when 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself' (2 Corinthians 5:19). On one Friday afternoon, the guilt of 'that land' (Israel) and the world was borne by the stone the builders rejected (Psalm 118:22; Acts 4:11).