Zechariah 3 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 3:9
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Chapter 3
Joshua cleansed and the coming Shoot
Verse 3:1 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:1 He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of YHWH, with the accuser standing at his right hand to accuse him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:1 He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, with the slanderer standing at his right hand to oppose him.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew hassatan is the accuser or adversary; Greek diabolos is the slanderer. Both place the opponent at Joshua's right. The high priest's Greek name Iesous is rendered Joshua in this narrative, without substituting a later person.
Verse 3:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:2 YHWH said to the accuser, “May YHWH rebuke you, accuser! May YHWH, who chooses Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is this not a brand rescued from fire?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:2 The Lord said to the slanderer, “May the Lord rebuke you, slanderer! May the Lord, who chose Jerusalem, rebuke you! Look, is this not like a brand pulled from fire?”
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The doubled rebuke and Jerusalem's choice agree; Hebrew directly calls this a rescued brand, while Greek explicitly marks a comparison. New Testament reception: Jude 1:9 gives the Lord-rebuke formula to Michael in a dispute concerning Moses’ body. That narrative differs from Joshua’s hearing here; the shared wording does not identify this passage’s angel as Michael [NT-JUD1].
Verse 3:3 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:3 Joshua was clothed in filthy garments and standing before the angel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:3 Joshua was clothed in filthy garments and standing before the angel.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The priest's clothing and position agree. Rabbinic: Rashi interprets the filthy clothing through Joshua’s sons’ unsuitable marriages and his failure to rebuke them; that interpretation is not a literal description of the garments [RASHI-ZEC3].
Verse 3:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:4 He answered and said to those standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” He said to him, “Look, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you in splendid garments.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:4 He answered and said to those standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” He said to him, “Look, I have taken away your lawless deeds; clothe him in a robe reaching to the feet,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew promises first-person clothing in fine garments; Greek commands others to clothe him in a specifically ankle-length robe. Both connect removal of soiled clothing with removal of wrongdoing.
Verse 3:5 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:5 I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” They put the clean turban on his head and clothed him in garments, while the angel of YHWH stood by.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:5 and put a clean turban on his head.” They clothed him in garments and put a clean turban on his head, while the angel of the Lord stood by.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Hebrew introduces the prophet's I said; Greek continues the preceding command without that speaker change. The reported order of turban and garments is reversed, with both acts preserved. Rabbinic: Rashi identifies the Hebrew I as Zechariah, petitioning for Joshua’s restoration [RASHI-ZEC3].
Verse 3:6 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:6 The angel of YHWH solemnly charged Joshua, saying:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:6 The angel of the Lord solemnly testified to Joshua, saying:
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both introduce the angel's solemn instruction to Joshua.
Verse 3:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:7 “Thus says YHWH of hosts: If you walk in My ways and keep My charge, then you will govern My house and guard My courts; I will give you paths among these standing here.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:7 “Thus says the Lord Almighty: If you walk in My ways and keep My commands, you will govern My house. If you also guard My court, I will give you those who move about among these standing here.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek makes guarding the court a further condition and promises people moving about; Hebrew promises mahalekim, here paths or access, though moving persons is also a possible construal. The distinction is provisional and does not establish a precise heavenly hierarchy.
Verse 3:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:8 Listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your companions sitting before you, for they are men serving as a sign. Look, I am bringing My servant, Shoot.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:8 Listen now, Joshua the high priest, you and your neighbors sitting before you, for they are men who watch for portents. Look, I am bringing My servant, Rising.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew men of a sign become Greek portent-watchers, changing their relation to the sign. Hebrew semah names a shoot; Greek anatole can denote rising, dawn or sprouting. The differing title imagery is retained without inserting an identification into the text. Rabbinic: Rashi identifies Shoot as Zerubbabel and relates the promise to his royal favor and Temple rebuilding [RASHI-ZEC3].
Verse 3:9 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:9 Look, the stone I have placed before Joshua: on one stone are seven eyes. Look, I am engraving its engraving, declares YHWH of hosts, and I will remove that land's guilt in one day.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:9 For the stone I set before Joshua—on the one stone are seven eyes. Look, I am digging a pit, says the Lord Almighty, and I will feel out all the injustice of that land in one day.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew engraves the stone and removes guilt; Greek digs a pit and feels out injustice. Greek pselapheso does not explicitly promise removal. The shared stone, seven eyes and one day do not erase the different divine acts. Rabbinic: Rashi connects the stone with the Temple foundation, but explicitly does not identify the promised one day [RASHI-ZEC3].
Verse 3:10 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
3:10 On that day, declares YHWH of hosts, each of you will invite his companion beneath vine and fig tree.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
3:10 On that day, says the Lord Almighty, each of you will invite his neighbor beneath a vine and beneath a fig tree.”
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The shared invitation and vine-and-fig-tree setting correspond.