Messianic · The BRANCH: priest and king
Zechariah 6:9-15
Zechariah · ~519 BC · Status: Fulfilled · Confidence: 65% · Payne §Zech 14–15
“… And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: 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.”
King James Version · the opening — all 7 verses are below
The symbolic crowning of Joshua, pointing to the BRANCH who will build the LORD's temple and uniquely be 'a priest upon his throne' — king and priest in one.
Read the whole passage — all 7 verses (KJV)
6:9And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
6:10Take 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;
6:11Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;
6:12And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
6:13Even 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.
6:14And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.
6:15And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.
Fulfillment References
Zechariah 3:8 Psalm 110:1-4 Hebrews 7:1-3 Hebrews 8:1
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe one who is 'a priest upon his throne' — both King and Priest — is Jesus, in whom the offices unite; the one God reigning and interceding for His people (Heb. 7-8).
JewishThe crowning sign pointing to the Branch who would build the temple; the union of priestly and royal roles is striking and debated in Jewish thought.
CatholicFulfilled in Christ, the priest-king after the order of Melchizedek, who builds the true temple (the Church).
ProtestantA remarkable Messianic text: the BRANCH is both king ('rule upon his throne') and priest — fulfilled uniquely in Christ (Heb. 7).
OrthodoxChrist the royal high priest, building His temple and reigning.
DispensationalThe Branch-Messiah who will build the millennial temple and reign as priest-king.
AcademicScholars note the textual question of whether the crown(s) were set on Joshua or (originally) Zerubbabel, and the significance of combining priestly and royal offices in the Branch figure.
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