Zechariah 6:13

Authorized King James Version

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Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Original Language Analysis

וְ֠הוּא H1931
וְ֠הוּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 1 of 21
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
יִבְנֶ֞ה Even he shall build H1129
יִבְנֶ֞ה Even he shall build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 2 of 21
to build (literally and figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הֵיכַ֤ל the temple H1964
הֵיכַ֤ל the temple
Strong's: H1964
Word #: 4 of 21
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהֽוּא H1931
וְהֽוּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 6 of 21
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
יִשָּׂ֣א and he shall bear H5375
יִשָּׂ֣א and he shall bear
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 7 of 21
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
ה֔וֹד the glory H1935
ה֔וֹד the glory
Strong's: H1935
Word #: 8 of 21
grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)
וְיָשַׁ֥ב and shall sit H3427
וְיָשַׁ֥ב and shall sit
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 9 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וּמָשַׁ֖ל and rule H4910
וּמָשַׁ֖ל and rule
Strong's: H4910
Word #: 10 of 21
to rule
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 11 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסְא֔וֹ upon his throne H3678
כִּסְא֔וֹ upon his throne
Strong's: H3678
Word #: 12 of 21
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
וְהָיָ֤ה H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 13 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כֹהֵן֙ and he shall be a priest H3548
כֹהֵן֙ and he shall be a priest
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 14 of 21
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 15 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסְא֔וֹ upon his throne H3678
כִּסְא֔וֹ upon his throne
Strong's: H3678
Word #: 16 of 21
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
וַעֲצַ֣ת and the counsel H6098
וַעֲצַ֣ת and the counsel
Strong's: H6098
Word #: 17 of 21
advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
שָׁל֔וֹם of peace H7965
שָׁל֔וֹם of peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 18 of 21
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
תִּהְיֶ֖ה H1961
תִּהְיֶ֖ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 19 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בֵּ֥ין H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 20 of 21
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ shall be between them both H8147
שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ shall be between them both
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 21 of 21
two; also (as ordinal) twofold

Analysis & Commentary

Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both—The prophecy intensifies with emphatic repetition: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD confirms verse 12. And he shall bear the glory (vəhū' yissā' hōḏ, וְהוּא יִשָּׂא הוֹד)—hōḏ (הוֹד) means splendor, majesty, royal dignity. The Branch will carry divine glory, as Jesus revealed: 'we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father' (John 1:14).

And shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne—Two offices, one throne. Vəyāshaḇ ūmāshal 'al-kis'ō vəhāyāh khōhēn 'al-kis'ō (וְיָשַׁב וּמָשַׁל עַל־כִּסְאוֹ וְהָיָה כֹהֵן עַל־כִּסְאוֹ, 'and he shall sit and rule on his throne, and he shall be a priest on his throne'). Kings rule from thrones; priests serve at altars. The Branch does both simultaneously from one throne—royal authority and priestly mediation united. And the counsel of peace shall be between them both—'atsath shālōm tihyeh bēyn shənēhem (עֲצַת שָׁלוֹם תִּהְיֶה בֵּין שְׁנֵיהֶם, 'and counsel of peace shall be between the two'). The 'two' are the priestly and royal offices, harmoniously united in the Branch. Or it may refer to the Branch and Yahweh working in perfect agreement. Jesus is both our King and High Priest, making peace between God and humanity (Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 2:17).

Historical Context

In Israel's history, priesthood (Levi) and kingship (Judah) were separate tribes and functions. Any attempt to combine them met divine judgment. The Branch's uniqueness is that He legitimately holds both offices without usurpation. Jesus descended from Judah (royalty) yet is 'a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek' (Hebrews 7:14-17), the ancient priest-king who blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20). The 'counsel of peace' between the offices culminates in Christ reconciling God and sinners.

Questions for Reflection