Zechariah 3:9

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֣י׀
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
הִנֵּ֣ה
lo!
#3
אֶ֥בֶן
H68
For behold the stone
a stone
#4
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
נָתַ֙תִּי֙
that I have laid
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#6
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#7
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ
Joshua
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
אֶ֥בֶן
H68
For behold the stone
a stone
#10
אֶחָֽד׃
in one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#11
שִׁבְעָ֣ה
shall be seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#12
עֵינָ֑יִם
eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#13
הִנְנִ֧י
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#14
מְפַתֵּ֣חַ
behold I will engrave
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
#15
פִּתֻּחָ֗הּ
the graving
sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio)
#16
נְאֻם֙
thereof saith
an oracle
#17
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#19
וּמַשְׁתִּ֛י
and I will remove
to withdraw (both literally and figuratively, whether intransitive or transitive)
#20
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
עֲוֹ֥ן
the iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#22
הָאָֽרֶץ
of that land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#23
הַהִ֖יא
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
#24
בְּי֥וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#25
אֶחָֽד׃
in one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Zechariah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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