Zechariah 6:11

Authorized King James Version

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Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;

Original Language Analysis

וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ Then take H3947
וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ Then take
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 1 of 12
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
כֶֽסֶף silver H3701
כֶֽסֶף silver
Strong's: H3701
Word #: 2 of 12
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְזָהָ֖ב and gold H2091
וְזָהָ֖ב and gold
Strong's: H2091
Word #: 3 of 12
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ and make H6213
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ and make
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 4 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עֲטָר֑וֹת crowns H5850
עֲטָר֑וֹת crowns
Strong's: H5850
Word #: 5 of 12
a crown
וְשַׂמְתָּ֗ and set H7760
וְשַׂמְתָּ֗ and set
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 6 of 12
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בְּרֹ֛אשׁ them upon the head H7218
בְּרֹ֛אשׁ them upon the head
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 7 of 12
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ of Joshua H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ of Joshua
Strong's: H3091
Word #: 8 of 12
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוֹצָדָ֖ק of Josedech H3087
יְהוֹצָדָ֖ק of Josedech
Strong's: H3087
Word #: 10 of 12
jehotsadak, an israelite
הַכֹּהֵ֥ן priest H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֥ן priest
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 11 of 12
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּדֽוֹל׃ the high H1419
הַגָּדֽוֹל׃ the high
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 12 of 12
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis & Commentary

Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest—Zechariah must use the Babylonian Jews' offering to fashion 'atārōt (עֲטָרוֹת, 'crowns,' plural) from silver and gold, then crown Joshua (Yehōshūa', יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, 'Yahweh saves') son of Jehozadak (Yəhōtsāḏāq, יְהוֹצָדָק, 'Yahweh is righteous'), the high priest. This is shocking: priests wore turbans, not crowns; kings wore crowns. The dual metals (silver and gold) may indicate composite crowns or two crowns, but the act symbolizes combining priestly and royal offices—forbidden in Israel's history.

When King Uzziah presumptuously usurped priestly functions, God struck him with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Saul's illicit sacrifice cost him his dynasty (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Priest and king were separate offices—until Messiah. Joshua the priest receiving royal crowns enacts prophecy: the coming Branch will unite both offices in one person. Psalm 110:4 prophesied this: 'Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek'—king and priest. Jesus alone fulfills this: greater than Aaron (priestly lineage), from Judah (royal tribe), crowned King of Kings yet our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:1-28). The crowned Joshua is a living prophecy, a walking billboard announcing the Priest-King's coming.

Historical Context

Joshua (Jeshua) served as high priest during the post-exilic restoration (Ezra 2:2; 3:2; Haggai 1:1). His crowning was prophetic theater, not actual kingship—Zerubbabel remained civil governor. The crowns weren't for Joshua to keep but to be memorialized in the temple (v. 14). The shocking image of a crowned priest burned into observers' minds, preparing them to recognize Messiah when He came claiming both offices. No other figure in Jewish history legitimately wore both crowns until Jesus.

Questions for Reflection