“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.”
My Notes
What Does Zechariah 6:13 Mean?
Zechariah prophesies a figure who unites two roles that were always kept separate in Israel: king and priest. "He shall build the temple of the LORD" (priestly function), "sit and rule upon his throne" (royal function), and be "a priest upon his throne" — combining both offices in one person. The counsel of peace between "them both" means harmony between the royal and priestly roles.
In Israel's history, king and priest were never combined. Uzziah was struck with leprosy for attempting to burn incense as a king (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). The separation was absolute. Only the Messiah could hold both offices simultaneously — and Zechariah's prophecy identifies this future figure as the one who resolves the tension between ruling authority and mediating priesthood.
The phrase "he shall bear the glory" assigns the Messiah a weight-bearing role. The glory (hod — splendor, majesty) isn't just displayed but borne — carried, sustained, supported. The Messiah doesn't just reflect God's glory; he holds it up.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does it mean for your relationship with God that Jesus is both king (authority) and priest (mediator)?
- 2.How does the combination of ruling and interceding in one person resolve the tension between justice and mercy?
- 3.Why was the separation of king and priest so important in Israel — and what does its resolution in the Messiah signify?
- 4.Where do you need both a king's authority and a priest's compassion in your current situation?
Devotional
He builds the temple. He sits on the throne. He's a priest on the throne. One person, both offices — the combination Israel's entire history kept separate.
For centuries, king and priest were two different roles filled by two different people. Saul was rejected as king for stepping into the priest's role. Uzziah was diseased for burning incense. The wall between royal and priestly authority was inviolable — until Zechariah says: someone is coming who holds both.
This is the Messiah Zechariah sees: a king who mediates and a priest who rules. The authority to govern and the authority to intercede — combined in a single throne. The counsel of peace "between them both" means the tension between power and mercy, justice and compassion, ruling and serving is permanently resolved in one person.
Jesus fulfills this in ways Zechariah couldn't have fully imagined. The builder of the true temple (John 2:19-21). The bearer of divine glory (John 1:14). The king who intercedes (Romans 8:34). The priest who rules (Hebrews 7:1-3). Every dimension of this prophecy finds its fulfillment in the one who sits at God's right hand as both Lord and priest.
The counsel of peace means you don't have to choose between a God who has authority over your life and a God who cares about your soul. In Jesus, both thrones are one. The ruling hand and the praying hand belong to the same person.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the crowns shall be to Helem,.... The same with Heldai, Zac 6:10,
and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the…
Even He - Literally, “He Himself.” The repetition shows that it is a great thing, which he affirms; “and He,” again…
Even he shall build the temple - Joshua, not Zerubbabel.
He shall bear the glory - Have all the honor of it; for none…
God did not only at sundry times, but in divers manners, speak in time past by the prophets to his church. In the former…
Even he shall build The repetition of these words from the preceding verse is emphatic, as is the introduction now of…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture