Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. New Living Translation “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here. English Standard Version “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Berean Standard Bible “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here. Berean Literal Bible “Thus says YHWH of Hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will keep My command, then you will judge My house, and also guard My courts, and I will give to you goings among these ones standing by. King James Bible Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. New King James Version “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here. New American Standard Bible “The LORD of armies says this: ‘If you walk in My ways and perform My service, then you will both govern My house and be in charge of My courtyards, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. NASB 1995 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. NASB 1977 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways, and if you will perform My service, then you will also govern My house and also have charge of My courts, and I will grant you free access among these who are standing here. Legacy Standard Bible “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will keep the responsibility given by Me, then you will also render justice in My house and also keep My courts, and I will grant you access to walk among these who are standing here. Amplified Bible “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways [that is, remain faithful] and perform My service, then you will also govern My house and have charge of My courts, and I will give you free access [to My presence] among these who are standing here. Berean Annotated Bible “This is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here. Christian Standard Bible “This is what the LORD of Armies says: If you walk in my ways and keep my mandates, you will both rule my house and take care of my courts; I will also grant you access among these who are standing here. Holman Christian Standard Bible This is what the LORD of Hosts says: If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, you will both rule My house and take care of My courts; I will also grant you access among these who are standing here.” American Standard Version Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by. Contemporary English Version If you truly obey me, I will put you in charge of my temple, including the courtyard around it, and you will be allowed to speak at any time with the angels standing beside me. English Revised Version Thus saith the LORD of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by. GOD'S WORD® Translation "This is what the LORD of Armies says: If you live according to my ways and follow my requirements, you will govern my temple and watch over my courtyards. Then I will give you free access to walk among those standing here. Good News Translation the LORD Almighty had said: "If you obey my laws and perform the duties I have assigned you, then you will continue to be in charge of my Temple and its courts, and I will hear your prayers, just as I hear the prayers of the angels who are in my presence. International Standard Version "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'If you will live according to my ways, and if you will keep what I have entrusted to you, then you will also administer my Temple, and you will also guard my courtyards. And I will give you access to these who serve here. NET Bible "The LORD who rules over all says, 'If you live and work according to my requirements, you will be able to preside over my temple and attend to my courtyards, and I will allow you to come and go among these others who are standing by you. New Heart English Bible "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by. Webster's Bible Translation Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here. World English Bible “Yahweh of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Thus said YHWH of Hosts: If you walk in My ways, "" And if you keep My charge, "" Then also you judge My house, "" And also you keep My courts, "" And I have given to you conductors among these standing by. Berean Literal Bible “Thus says YHWH of Hosts, ‘If you will walk in My ways and if you will keep My command, then you will judge My house, and also guard My courts, and I will give to you goings among these ones standing by. Young's Literal Translation 'Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: If in My ways thou dost walk, And if My charge thou dost keep, Then also thou dost judge My house, And also thou dost keep My courts, And I have given to thee conductors among these standing by. Smith's Literal Translation Thus said Jehovah of armies: If thou wilt go in my way, and if thou shalt watch my watches, and thou also shalt judge my house, and also thou shalt watch my enclosure, and I gave to thee the goings between these standing by. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThus saith the Lord of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and Beep my charge, thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt keep my courts, and I will give thee some of them that are now present here to walk with thee. Catholic Public Domain Version Thus says the Lord of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, you likewise will judge my house and will keep my courts, and I will give you some of those who now attend here to walk with you. New American Bible “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you walk in my ways and carry out my charge, you will administer my house and watch over my courts; and I will give you access to those standing here.” New Revised Standard Version “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my commandments, then you shall also judge my house and keep my courts, and I will grant you to walk among these that stand by. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated ”Thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: if you will go in my ways and you will keep my commandments, you shall judge my house and you shall keep my courts, and I shall give to you those who walk among these who are standing OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thus saith the LORD of hosts: If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, and wilt also judge My house, and wilt also keep My courts, then I will give thee free access among these that stand by. Brenton Septuagint Translation Thus saith the Lord Almighty; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and take heed to my charges, then shalt thou judge my house: and if thou wilt diligently keep my court, then will I give thee men to walk in the midst of these that stand here. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Vision of Joshua the High Priest…6Then the angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: 7“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, then you will govern My house and will also have charge of My courts; and I will give you a place among these who are standing here. 8Hear now, O high priest Joshua, you and your companions seated before you, who are indeed a sign. For behold, I am going to bring My servant, the Branch.… Cross References This is what the LORD of Hosts says: Zechariah 1:3 So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’ Haggai 1:2 that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” Malachi 1:4 Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever. ‘If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions, Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, / and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good? Joshua 22:5 But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 5:33 You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. then you will govern My house Numbers 12:7 But this is not so with My servant Moses; he is faithful in all My house. Hebrews 3:5-6 Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. / But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast. 1 Samuel 2:35 Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest. He will do whatever is in My heart and mind. And I will build for him an enduring house, and he will walk before My anointed one for all time. and will also have charge of My courts; Ezekiel 44:16 They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge. Numbers 18:5-7 And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. / Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting. / But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.” 1 Chronicles 9:27 They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they were responsible for guarding it and opening it every morning. and I will give you a place among these who are standing here. 1 Kings 22:19 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. Daniel 7:10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. Job 1:6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. Isaiah 1:19-20 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Treasury of Scripture Thus said the LORD of hosts; If you will walk in my ways, and if you will keep my charge, then you shall also judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you places to walk among these that stand by. if thou wilt keep. Genesis 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Leviticus 8:35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded. Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. charge. Deuteronomy 17:8-13 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; … 1 Samuel 2:28-30 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? … Jeremiah 15:19-21 Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them… I will. Zechariah 1:8-11 I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse, and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in the bottom; and behind him were there red horses, speckled, and white… Zechariah 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. Zechariah 6:5 And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth. places. Revelation 3:4,5 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy… Jump to Previous Access Almighty Armies Charge Courts Follow Free Grant Hosts House Instructions Judge Perform Places Requirements Right Rule Service Stand Standing Walk Ways WiltJump to Next Access Almighty Armies Charge Courts Follow Free Grant Hosts House Instructions Judge Perform Places Requirements Right Rule Service Stand Standing Walk Ways WiltZechariah 3 1. Under the type of Joshua, the high priest, receiving clean garments,6. and a covenant of promise, 8. Christ the Branch and Cornerstone is promised. This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The title "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It is a reminder of His sovereignty and ability to fulfill His promises. This title is frequently used in the prophetic books, underscoring God's control over the unfolding of history and His protection of His people. If you walk in My ways and keep My instructions: Then you will govern My house: And will also have charge of My courts: And I will give you a place among these who are standing here: Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD of HostsThis title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly armies. It underscores His ability to fulfill His promises and execute His judgments. 2. Joshua the High Priest In the context of Zechariah 3, Joshua represents the priesthood and, by extension, the people of Israel. He is being cleansed and restored to his priestly duties. 3. The Angel of the LORD Often seen as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, the Angel of the LORD mediates God's message and actions in this vision. 4. The House of the LORD Refers to the temple, symbolizing God's dwelling place and the center of worship for Israel. 5. The Courts These are the areas surrounding the temple where judicial and religious activities occur, symbolizing authority and governance. Teaching Points Obedience and BlessingWalking in God's ways and keeping His instructions are prerequisites for receiving His blessings and responsibilities. Obedience is not just about following rules but aligning one's life with God's will. Spiritual Leadership Joshua's role as a high priest is a model for spiritual leadership. Leaders in the church are called to live righteously and lead others in worship and service. Divine Appointment God appoints and equips those He calls to serve. Just as Joshua was given charge over the temple, believers are entrusted with responsibilities in God's kingdom. Heavenly Citizenship The promise of a place among those standing before God points to our ultimate citizenship in heaven. Believers are called to live with an eternal perspective. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Zechariah 3:7?2. How does Zechariah 3:7 emphasize the importance of obedience in Christian life? 3. What does "walk in My ways" mean for daily Christian conduct? 4. How can Zechariah 3:7 inspire us to faithfully serve in God's house? 5. Connect Zechariah 3:7 with James 1:22 on being doers of the Word. 6. How can we apply "keep My charge" to modern Christian responsibilities? 7. What does Zechariah 3:7 reveal about God's expectations for obedience and leadership? 8. How does Zechariah 3:7 connect to the concept of divine authority and judgment? 9. In what ways does Zechariah 3:7 emphasize the importance of walking in God's ways? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 3? 11. What are the Courts of Heaven? 12. What does 'Return to Me, and I will return' mean? 13. Who is Joshua the High Priest in Zechariah? 14. Why does Zechariah 3:2 present the angel of the Lord rebuking Satan in a manner that seems inconsistent with other Old Testament accounts of divine judgment? What Does Zechariah 3:7 Mean This is what the LORD of Hosts saysThe verse opens with the majestic title “the LORD of Hosts,” reminding us that the speaker commands angel armies and earthly powers alike (Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7). Because the command comes from Him, the words that follow carry absolute authority, certainty, and covenant faithfulness. In Zechariah’s vision, Joshua the high priest stands in filthy garments (Zechariah 3:3), yet God’s voice breaks in—proof that our hope rests not on our merit but on His sovereign declaration. If you walk in My ways “Walking” pictures a continual lifestyle, not a one–time step. The Lord calls Joshua—and, by extension, all who serve Him—to an everyday pattern of: • Moral purity (Deuteronomy 10:12; 1 John 2:6) • Justice and mercy (Micah 6:8) • Spirit–led living (Galatians 5:16) The promise is conditional: blessing flows when the priest aligns his daily conduct with God’s path. And keep My instructions Obedience moves beyond attitude to concrete action. God’s “instructions” cover every priestly duty (Leviticus 8–10) and personal devotion (Deuteronomy 5:32; John 14:15). For Joshua, this meant guarding the restored temple’s holiness after the exile; for us, it means honoring Christ’s lordship in doctrine, worship, and lifestyle (James 1:22). Then you will govern My house Faithful walk and obedience lead to expanded stewardship. “My house” in Zechariah’s day is the rebuilt temple (Haggai 2:9). God promises Joshua authority to oversee sacrifices and teach the people (1 Samuel 2:35). For believers today, the church is the “household of God” (1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:5). The principle stands: faithful servants are entrusted with leadership in God’s dwelling place. And will also have charge of My courts The “courts” broaden the sphere—everything connected with worship. Joshua’s charge includes guarding purity, setting order, and ensuring justice within the temple precincts (Ezekiel 40:45–46; Psalm 65:4). In New-Covenant terms, this foreshadows our calling to care for the gathered people of God, His living temple (1 Corinthians 3:16–17). And I will give you a place among these who are standing here The scene includes angelic beings standing before the LORD (Zechariah 3:1, 7). God promises Joshua secure access among them—a share in the heavenly court (Hebrews 12:22–24). Ultimately, this points to the high priestly ministry of Christ and to believers who are seated with Him “in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 2:6; Revelation 3:4–5). Fellowship with God’s holy attendants becomes the reward of purified, obedient service. summary Zechariah 3:7 lays out a simple yet profound sequence: covenant relationship, obedient walk, expanded responsibility, and heavenly fellowship. God’s authoritative word offers Joshua—and every faithful follower—real promises: lead My people, guard My worship, and enjoy My presence. Obedience never earns salvation, but it does position us to experience the fullness of the privileges God delights to give His cleansed and committed servants. Verse 7. - Walk in my ways. God's ways are his commandments, as the next words explain (comp. 1 Kings 3:14). Keep my charge. The Vulgate retains the Hebraism, Custodiam meam custodieris (comp. Genesis 26:5; Malachi 3:14). The charge means the laws and ordinances of the Mosaic institution. Then. The apodosis rightly begins here, though Kimchi and others make it commence at "I will give thee," taking the following two clauses as denoting parts of his duties, the observance of which conditioned his acceptance. Thou shalt also judge my house. The mention of "my courts" in the following clause requires that "house" here should mean, not people or family, but, in a more restricted sense, the temple, looked upon as the spiritual centre of the nation. If the high priest kept the ordinances and commandments, he should rule and order Divine worship, and "judge," i.e. govern, the ministers of the sanctuary. Keep my courts. He was to preserve the temple, and that which the temple represented, from all idolatry and ungodliness. This duty, as Hengstenberg observes, is introduced as a reward, because it was an honour and a privilege to be entrusted with such an office, and the greatest favour which God could confer upon man. Places to walk. The LXX. takes the word as a participle, translating, ἀναστερεφομένους, "persons walking;" so the Syriac; Vulgate, ambulantes. This is explained to mean that God will give him out of the band of angels (ver. 4), some to accompany and aid him in his ministrationS. But the word is best taken as a noun meaning "walks," "goings." The Revised Version gives, "a place of access" in the text, restoring the Authorized Version in the margin; but there seems to be no good reason for the Revised rendering. The translation, "goings," "walks," gives much the same signification, and is consonant with the use of the word elsewhere (comp. Nehemiah 2:6; Ezekiel 42:4; Jonah 3:9, 4). It means that Joshua should have free access to God. The gloss of the Targum, that it is here intimated that the high priest should be admitted to the company of the angels after the resurrection, is unsuitable, as the other parts of the promise have respect to this present world. Among these that stand by; i.e. among the attendant angels who wait upon God to do his will, and a company of whom were gathered round the Angel of Jehovah in the vision (see ver. 4). It is natural piety to believe that the hosts of heaven join in the worship of the Church on earth, and assist godly ministers with their presence and fellowship. Here is adumbrated that access to God which the Christian enjoys in Christ (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18). This is more fully revealed in the next verse.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “This is whatכֹּה־ (kōh-) Adverb Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel of Hosts צְבָא֗וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign says: אָמַ֞ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you walk תֵּלֵךְ֙ (tê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk in My ways בִּדְרָכַ֤י (biḏ·rā·ḵay) Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action and keep תִשְׁמֹ֔ר (ṯiš·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to My instructions, מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣י (miš·mar·tî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 4931: A guard, watch, charge, function then you אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you will both וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and govern תָּדִ֣ין (tā·ḏîn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1777: A straight course, sail direct My house בֵּיתִ֔י (bê·ṯî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1004: A house and וְגַ֖ם (wə·ḡam) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and have charge תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר (tiš·mōr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to of אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case My courts; חֲצֵרָ֑י (ḥă·ṣê·rāy) Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 2691: A yard, a hamlet and I will give וְנָתַתִּ֤י (wə·nā·ṯat·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set you לְךָ֙ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew a place מַהְלְכִ֔ים (mah·lə·ḵîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4108: A walking, access among בֵּ֥ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between these הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those standing here.’ הָעֹמְדִ֖ים (hā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations Links Zechariah 3:7 NIVZechariah 3:7 NLT Zechariah 3:7 ESV Zechariah 3:7 NASB Zechariah 3:7 KJV Zechariah 3:7 BibleApps.com Zechariah 3:7 Biblia Paralela Zechariah 3:7 Chinese Bible Zechariah 3:7 French Bible Zechariah 3:7 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Zechariah 3:7 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: 'If you (Zech. 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