Bible Strands
Zechariah 3:1
Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The angel of the LORD shows Zechariah a vision in which Joshua the high priest stands before the angel of the LORD while Satan stands at his right hand to accuse him. Zechariah is the recipient of the showing, not a participant in the scene.
The words — עֹמֵד ('omed, "standing") with לִ/פְנֵי (lifnei, "before the face of") fixes Joshua in a sustained posture of exposed, direct presence rather than a formal courtroom setting. The participle marks an ongoing state, not a single gesture.
The thread — Satan's adversarial role recurs in Luke 22:31 (sifting the disciples) and 1 Peter 5:8 (prowling as a devouring lion), and Revelation 12:9 names him "the deceiver of the whole world." The consistent pattern is Satan positioned against God's people in a confrontational, accusatory role.
Why it lands — The verse stops at the accusation; it does not yet give the verdict. It asks the reader to hold the image of the highest priest standing exposed before the divine presence while an accuser is permitted to speak, and to wait for the answer that comes in the next breath.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Cross-references
- Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.
- 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
- Job 2:1 On another day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before Him.
- Psalms 109:6 Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
- Job 1:6 One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.
- 1 Chronicles 21:1 Then Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel.
- Haggai 1:1 In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating
- 2 Chronicles 29:11 Now, my sons, do not be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”
- Haggai 2:4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.