What does Zechariah 6:13 mean?
"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." - Zechariah 6:13
Zechariah 6:13 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: “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.”
This verse is part of a prophecy given to Zechariah by the Lord, and it is often understood as a messianic prophecy, pointing forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. The context of this verse is important to understanding its significance. In the preceding verses, the prophet is directed to take the silver and gold that had been given by the exiles from Babylon and to make a crown, which is placed on the head of Joshua, the high priest. This act symbolizes the union of the priestly and kingly functions in the future Messiah.
One of the key themes in this verse is the combination of the roles of king and priest in the person of the Messiah. In ancient Israel, these roles were strictly separated, with the line of kings coming from the tribe of Judah and the line of priests coming from the tribe of Levi. However, this verse speaks of a future figure who will embody both of these roles. This foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who is both the perfect King and the perfect High Priest. Jesus fulfills the kingly role as the promised descendant of David who sits and rules upon his throne, and he fulfills the priestly role as the ultimate mediator between God and man, offering himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the people.
The idea of Jesus as both King and Priest is further emphasized in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews. In Hebrews 7:17, the writer quotes this verse from Zechariah, applying it to Jesus and explaining how Jesus fulfills the requirements of both roles. The writer of Hebrews goes on to show how Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood, as he is a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
The phrase “the counsel of peace shall be between them both” is also significant in this verse. This speaks to the unity and harmony between the kingly and priestly aspects of the Messiah’s role. Through his redemptive work as both King and Priest, Jesus brings peace between God and humanity, reconciling us to God and offering the way to true and lasting peace.
Symbolism is also present in this verse. The building of the temple by the Messiah signifies the establishment of God’s kingdom and the presence of God among His people. The glory that the Messiah bears speaks to his divine nature and authority. His sitting and ruling on his throne points to his reign over all creation. And his role as a priest on his throne signifies his mediation and intercession on behalf of his people.
In conclusion, Zechariah 6:13 is a powerful messianic prophecy, pointing forward to the coming of Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the roles of King and High Priest. This verse highlights the unity and harmony of these roles in the person of Jesus and the peace that he brings through his redemptive work. It serves as a reminder of the unique and unmatched authority and majesty of Christ and the peace and reconciliation that he offers to all who believe in him.
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Zechariah 6:13 - "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."
"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." - Zechariah 6:13
Zechariah 13:6 - "And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends."
Zechariah 13:7
Zechariah 1:1-6
Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)
Zechariah 3:6 - "And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,"
Zechariah 6:9 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
2 Chronicles 29:13 - "And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:"
Zechariah 1:13 - "And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words."
Zechariah 6:14 - "And 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."
Zechariah 13:1 - "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."
Zechariah 4:13 - "And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord."
Zechariah 6:2 - "In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;"
Zechariah 14:6 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:"
Zechariah 6:3 - "And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses."
Zechariah 9:6 - "And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines."
Zechariah 12:13 - "The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;"
Zechariah 6:4 - "Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?"
Zechariah 2:13 - "Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."
Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
Zechariah 6:6 - "The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country."
"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." - Zechariah 13:6
Zechariah 7:13 - "Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:"
Zechariah 6:11 - "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;"
Zechariah 7:6 - "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"
"And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying," - Zechariah 3:6
"¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," - Zechariah 6:9
Zechariah 5:6 - "And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth."