Summary of Zechariah 6:9-15
God instructs Zechariah to make a crown from gold and silver and place it on the high priest, Joshua’s, head. His name shall be Branch, and he will build the temple of the Lord. He will be clothed in majesty and sit and rule on his throne. He will be a priest on the throne.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 19 Day 5: Zechariah 6:9-15
12) “Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah, son of Zephaniah. Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak.”
13) The “Branch” symbolizes life springing from the “dead” stump of David’s fallen dynasty (Isaiah 11). It identifies Jesus as the promised King (Jeremiah 23) and Servant (Zechariah 3) who, despite humble beginnings, grows to restore God’s glory (Isaiah 4) and build the eternal Temple.
14a) Jesus fulfills this by offering Himself as the perfect, “once-for-all” sacrifice, securing eternal redemption through His own blood (Hebrews 9–10). Unlike human priests, He holds a permanent priesthood, living forever to intercede for believers at God’s right hand (Hebrews 7; Romans 8), ensuring our salvation is complete and secure.
b)
From these verses, we learn that Jesus is not merely a spiritual guide but the absolute Sovereign of the Universe with authority over every realm of existence.
Here is what each passage reveals about His Kingship:
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Matthew 25:31 (The Royal Judge): Jesus is the King who sits on a literal “glorious throne.” His Kingship includes the ultimate authority to judge the nations, separating people based on their relationship with Him. He has the final word on human destiny.
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Ephesians 1:20-22 (The Supreme Head): His authority is total and current. He is seated “far above” every other rule, authority, power, and dominion. Nothing in the spiritual or physical universe is outside His jurisdiction.
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Philippians 2:9-11 (The Object of Worship): His Kingship is universal and undeniable. He holds the “name above every name,” and eventually, every knee—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth—will bow in submission to His Lordship.
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Revelation 1:5 (The Ruler of Rulers): His authority is political. He is the “ruler of kings on earth.” Every president, dictator, and monarch is a subordinate who answers to Him.
Short Summary
These verses portray Jesus as the supreme Sovereign who outranks every spiritual power and earthly leader (Ephesians 1, Revelation 1). He sits on a glorious throne as the final Judge (Matthew 25) and holds the highest name, demanding that every creature in existence bow in submission to His Lordship (Philippians 2).
c) With humility, gratitude, awe, worship, prayer, and more.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 19, Day 5: Zechariah 6:9-15
I love this mini-study of Jesus as our High Priest. So, go good!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 19, Day 5: Zechariah 6:9-15
There had always been a separation between church and state in Israel. A high priest was not crowned as king and vice versa. In fact, there were dire consequences if one tried to do so 2 Chronicles 26 .
This is a direct prophecy of Jesus as our King and Priest.
The branch was a common name for the Messiah (Isaiah 4:2 and 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5 and 33:15). We see branches in the Bible elsewhere, too (John 15:5) and often referred to abundance, fruitfulness, and life.
Since the crown was a memorial, this shows us that Joshua was never meant to be king; this was merely a foreshadowing of Jesus to come.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
Interpretation
Zechariah 6:9-15 (The Crowning of Joshua) is a Messianic prophecy enacted in real life.
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The Forbidden Merger: Zechariah is commanded to make a crown of silver and gold and place it on the head of Joshua the High Priest. This was shocking symbolism because in Israel, the office of King (tribe of Judah) and Priest (tribe of Levi) were strictly separate.
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The Branch: The text clarifies that Joshua is merely a sign. The crown actually belongs to the coming “Branch” (the Messiah).
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The Priest-King: The prophecy declares that this future figure will “sit and rule on his throne” and “shall be a priest on his throne,” with “counsel of peace” between the two roles. He will perfectly unite supreme authority and supreme mercy.
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The True Builder: While Zerubbabel built the physical temple, this Branch “shall build the temple of the Lord”—referring to the future spiritual house of God (the Church).
Conclusion
Jesus is the solution to the separation of powers. This passage foretells that the Messiah will not just be a ruler who conquers, nor just a priest who prays, but a Priest-King. He is the only one who can mediate for us with perfect empathy (Priest) while ruling over us with perfect sovereignty (King).
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