Zechariah 6:9-15
“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... and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne.”
King James Version
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.
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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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.