Introduction to Zechariah 3:4
Zechariah 3:4 presents a vision of divine purification, where the High Priest Yehoshua stands before the angel of YHWH and has his filthy garments removed as a sign of divine atonement. The verse consists of a series of commands and declarative statements, combining imperative verbs (for immediate action) and perfect verbs (for completed divine acts).
This passage highlights three key theological elements:
- The removal of impurity through the stripping of soiled garments.
- The declaration of divine atonement, shifting from sin to righteousness.
- The clothing of the High Priest with fine garments, symbolizing restoration to holiness.
This study will analyze the grammatical function of imperative and perfect verbs, the theological symbolism of garments, and the implications of divine forgiveness in the prophetic vision.
וַיַּ֣עַן וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אֶל־הָעֹמְדִ֤ים לְפָנָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הָסִ֛ירוּ הַבְּגָדִ֥ים הַצֹּאִ֖ים מֵעָלָ֑יו וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו רְאֵ֨ה הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי מֵעָלֶ֨יךָ֙ עֲוֹנֶ֔ךָ וְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֹתְךָ֖ מַחֲלָצֹֽות׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
- וַיַּ֣עַן וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (vaya’an vayomer)
- Root: עָנָה (“to answer”), אָמַר (“to say”)
- Form: Qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular with vav-consecutive
- Translation: “And he answered and said”
- Function: Introduces divine speech, signaling an authoritative decree.
- הָסִ֛ירוּ הַבְּגָדִ֥ים הַצֹּאִ֖ים מֵעָלָ֑יו (hasiru habegadim hatso’im me’alav)
- Root: סוּר (“to remove”), בֶּגֶד (“garment”), צֹאִים (“filthy, defiled”)
- Form: Hifil imperative 2nd masculine plural
- Translation: “Remove the filthy garments from him”
- Function: Command given to those standing before the angel, symbolizing removal of sin.
- וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו רְאֵ֨ה הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי מֵעָלֶ֨יךָ֙ עֲוֹנֶ֔ךָ (vayomer elav re’eh he’e’evarti me’aleikha avonekha)
- Root: עָבַר (“to pass over, remove”), עָוֹן (“iniquity, sin”)
- Form: Hifil perfect 1st person singular
- Translation: “See, I have removed your iniquity from you”
- Function: Declares divine forgiveness as a completed action.
- וְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁ אֹתְךָ֖ מַחֲלָצֹֽות (vehalbesh otkha maḥalatzot)
- Root: לָבַשׁ (“to clothe, dress”), מַחֲלָצוֹת (“fine garments”)
- Form: Hifil imperative 2nd masculine singular + object pronoun
- Translation: “And clothe you with fine garments”
- Function: Symbolizes restoration to a purified, exalted status.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
The Use of Imperative Verbs in Divine Commands
הָסִ֛ירוּ (“Remove”) and הַלְבֵּ֥שׁ (“Clothe”) → Express direct divine instructions.
Commands are given to angelic beings, indicating divine authority over purification.
The Hifil Perfect Verb הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי (“I Have Removed”)
Hifil perfect → Indicates a completed action in removing iniquity.
Shift from command (imperative) to declaration (perfect) → Signals the fulfillment of atonement.
The Symbolism of Garment Exchange
Filthy garments (הַבְּגָדִ֥ים הַצֹּאִ֖ים) → Represent sin and defilement.
Fine garments (מַחֲלָצֹֽות) → Symbolize righteousness and divine favor (cf. Isaiah 61:10).
Theological Implications of Divine Purification
- Atonement and RestorationThe removal of garments = the removal of sin, paralleling Levitical cleansing rituals (Leviticus 16:30).
- Priestly and Messianic SignificanceYehoshua’s cleansing prefigures the purification of Israel and the Messianic priesthood (cf. Zechariah 6:13).
- The Divine Initiative in SalvationYHWH declares: “I have removed your iniquity”—showing that forgiveness is God’s act, not human effort.
The Role of Imperative and Perfect Verbs in Prophetic Visions
Zechariah 3:4 exemplifies a structured prophetic vision where imperative verbs signal divine action, and perfect verbs declare completed atonement. The exchange of garments serves as a metaphor for divine purification, reinforcing the high priestly and Messianic themes in Zechariah’s prophecy.
Thus, this verse serves as both a vision of Israel’s restoration and a foreshadowing of divine redemption through the removal of sin and the clothing of righteousness.
