Zechariah 6:10
Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah;
Original Language Analysis
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגּוֹלָ֔ה
of them of the captivity
H1473
הַגּוֹלָ֔ה
of them of the captivity
Strong's:
H1473
Word #:
3 of 20
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
וּמֵאֵ֥ת
H853
וּמֵאֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
טוֹבִיָּ֖ה
of Tobijah
H2900
טוֹבִיָּ֖ה
of Tobijah
Strong's:
H2900
Word #:
6 of 20
tobijah, the name of three israelites and of one samaritan
וּמֵאֵ֣ת
H853
וּמֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּיּ֣וֹם
thou the same day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
thou the same day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 20
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
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
12 of 20
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
בֵּ֚ית
into the house
H1004
בֵּ֚ית
into the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 20
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Not all Jews returned to Judah in 538 BC under Cyrus's decree—many remained in Babylon where they'd established lives over seventy years. These diaspora Jews, though not physically present, financially supported temple rebuilding (Ezra 1:4-6; 2:68-69). The three men likely represented a larger Babylonian Jewish community sending contributions. Their gifts would be transformed into prophetic crowns (v. 11), showing that even exile offerings serve God's messianic purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the diaspora Jews' financial support for Jerusalem temple rebuilding model kingdom investment?
- What do the clustered meaningful names (Tobijah, Jedaiah, Josiah, Zephaniah) teach about covenant community?
- In what ways can you support God's kingdom work even when geographically or circumstantially distant from it?
Analysis & Commentary
Take of them of the captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah—God commands Zechariah to receive an offering from three men recently arrived from Babylon: Heldai (חֶלְדַּי, possibly 'worldly/enduring'), Tobijah (טוֹבִיָּה, 'Yahweh is good'), and Jedaiah (יְדַעְיָה, 'Yahweh knows'). These Jews remaining in Babylon sent gold and silver (v. 11) via messengers to support temple rebuilding—a beautiful picture of diaspora Jews supporting the Jerusalem restoration project.
Zechariah must go that same day to Josiah son of Zephaniah's house—urgency and specificity mark obedience. Josiah (יֹאשִׁיָּה, 'Yahweh supports') son of Zephaniah (צְפַנְיָה, 'Yahweh has hidden/protected') hosts the visitors, providing hospitality. The names carry significance: God is good (Tobijah), God knows (Jedaiah), God supports (Josiah), God protects (Zephaniah)—a chorus testifying to Yahweh's character. These faithful Jews embody the remnant theology: though scattered, they support God's purposes; though in exile, they invest in restoration. Their offering will fund the prophetic sign pointing to Messiah. Every faithful act, however small, participates in God's grand redemptive plan.