What is the significance of the names mentioned in Zechariah 6:10? Setting the Scene “Accept from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.” (Zechariah 6:10) Why these four men? God chooses them as living object lessons. Their very names preach the gospel Zechariah is announcing—the crowning of the high priest Joshua as a type of the coming Branch (vv. 11-13). Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah: Messengers from Babylon • Heldai (also called Helem, v. 14) – “Strong” or “Enduring.” – Picture of the Lord’s sustaining power for the remnant (Isaiah 41:10). • Tobijah – “Yahweh is Good.” – Echoes Nahum 1:7: “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of distress.” • Jedaiah – “Yahweh Knows” or “Yahweh Has Known.” – Assures the returnees that God has intimately known their suffering and faithfulness (2 Timothy 2:19; Exodus 2:25). Together they proclaim: The Strong One who is Good fully Knows His people. Josiah son of Zephaniah: The Host in Jerusalem • Josiah – “Yahweh Supports/Heals.” • Son of Zephaniah – “Yahweh Has Hidden/Protected.” – His house becomes the meeting place where the prophetic coronation begins, underscoring that the Lord both supports and shields His covenant community (Psalm 27:5). Prophetic Thread in Their Combined Names Heldai + Tobijah + Jedaiah + Josiah son of Zephaniah = “The Strong, Good LORD, who Knows, Supports, and Hides His people.” This composite declaration undergirds the crowning of Joshua: Messiah will come with strength, goodness, foreknowledge, support, and shelter for His flock (John 10:14; Hebrews 2:18). Practical Takeaways • God engraves His character even into the names of ordinary believers. • Every act of obedience—like bringing silver and gold from exile—fits into His redemptive plan (Zechariah 6:11; Philippians 2:13). • The Lord still gathers a remnant, upholding them with the very qualities proclaimed by these names (Jude 24-25). |
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