Zechariah 6:13
Euen he shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shal beare the glory, and shall sit and rule vpon his throne, and he shall be a priest vpon his throne, and the counsell of peace shall bee betweene them both. Zechariah 6:13 (KJV)
Zechariah 6:13 is a prophetic declaration given by the prophet Zechariah that points to a figure who will fulfill both kingly and priestly functions. While many Christian traditions understand this as a Messianic prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, the immediate KJV context also highlights Joshua the high priest and the rebuilding of the physical temple after the exile.
Building the Temple
– The verse states that “he shall build the temple of the LORD.” Historically this refers to Joshua the high priest, who participated in the reconstruction of the Jerusalem temple. In a broader, typological sense the same language is applied to Jesus Christ, who builds a spiritual temple—the Church—composed of believers (1 Peter 2:5).
Bearing the Glory
– The phrase “he shall bear the glory” is interpreted as indicating that the Messiah carries and displays the divine glory. The New Testament describes Jesus as the “radiance of the glory of God” (Hebrews 1:3) and as the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
Sitting and Ruling on His Throne
– The reference to sitting and ruling on a throne points to the kingly authority of the Messiah. Scripture calls Him the “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16), and His reign is described as everlasting (Luke 1:33).
A Priest upon His Throne
– The combination of kingly and priestly offices is seen as uniquely fulfilled in Christ, who serves as both King and High Priest, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity (Hebrews 4:14‑15).
Counsel of Peace
– The concluding clause, “the counsel of peace shall be between them both,” signifies harmony between the kingly and priestly roles. Through the Messiah believers experience peace with God (Romans 5:1) and the reconciliation brought about by His sacrificial death (Colossians 1:20).
