Zechariah 3:4 So the angel said to those standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes!" Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes."

◄ Zechariah 3:4 ►

New International Version
The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.”

New Living Translation
So the angel said to the others standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And turning to Jeshua he said, “See, I have taken away your sins, and now I am giving you these fine new clothes.”

English Standard Version
And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”

Berean Standard Bible
So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”

King James Bible
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

New King James Version
Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”

New American Standard Bible
And he responded and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your guilt away from you and will clothe you with festive robes.”

NASB 1995
He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”

NASB 1977
And he spoke and said to those who were standing before him saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he answered and spoke to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have made your iniquity pass away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”

Amplified Bible
He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And He said to Joshua, “See, I have caused your wickedness to be taken away from you, and I will clothe and beautify you with rich robes [of forgiveness].”

Christian Standard Bible
So the angel of the LORD spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes! ” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So the Angel of the LORD spoke to those standing before Him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then He said to him, “See, I have removed your guilt from you, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”

American Standard Version
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take the filthy garments from off him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with rich apparel.

Contemporary English Version
So the angel told some of the people to remove Joshua's filthy clothes. Then he said to Joshua, "This means you are forgiven. Now I will dress you in priestly clothes."

English Revised Version
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take the filthy garments from off him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with rich apparel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Messenger said to those who were standing in front of him, "Remove Joshua's filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken your sin away from you, and I will dress you in fine clothing."

Good News Translation
The angel said to his heavenly attendants, "Take away the filthy clothes this man is wearing." Then he said to Joshua, "I have taken away your sin and will give you new clothes to wear."

International Standard Version
So the angel continued to tell those who were standing in his presence, "Remove his filthy clothes." And he told Joshua, "Look how I've removed your iniquity. Now I'm clothing you with fine garments."

Majority Standard Bible
So the angel said to those standing before him, ?Take off his filthy clothes!? Then he said to Joshua, ?See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.?

NET Bible
The angel spoke up to those standing all around, "Remove his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "I have freely forgiven your iniquity and will dress you in fine clothing."

New Heart English Bible
He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, "Take the filthy garments off of him." To him he said, "Look, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he answered and spoke to those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And to him he said, Behold, I have caused thy iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

World English Bible
He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And He answers and speaks to those standing before Him, saying, “Turn aside the filthy garments from off him.” And He says to him, “See, I have caused your iniquity to pass away from off you, so as to clothe you with costly apparel.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he answereth and speaketh unto those standing before him, saying: 'Turn aside the filthy garments from off him.' And he saith unto him, 'See, I have caused thine iniquity to pass away from off thee, so as to clothe thee with costly apparel.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will answer and say to them standing before him, saying, Remove the filthy garments from off him, And he will say to him, See, I caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and clothed thee with festive garments.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Who answered, and said to them that stood before him, saying: Take away the filthy garments from him. And he said to him: Behold I have taken away thy iniquity, and have clothed thee with change of garments.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And he said to him, “Behold, I have taken away from you your iniquity, and I have clothed you with a change of clothing.”

New American Bible
Then the angel said to those standing before him, “Remove his filthy garments.” And to him he said, “Look, I have taken your guilt from you, and I am clothing you in stately robes.”

New Revised Standard Version
The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” And to him he said, “See, I have taken your guilt away from you, and I will clothe you with festal apparel.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the angel answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And to him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with good raiment.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Angel answered and said to those who stood before him: “Take from him the dirty garment.” And they took from him the dirty garment, and he said to him: ”See that I have taken from you your evil and I shall clothe you in fine garments”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying: 'Take the filthy garments from off him.' And unto him he said: 'Behold, I cause thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with robes.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy raiment from him: and he said to him, Behold, I have taken away thine iniquities: and clothe ye him with a long robe,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Vision of Joshua the High Priest
…3Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. 4So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” 5Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Revelation 7:14
“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Isaiah 6:7
And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

Revelation 19:8
She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

Ephesians 4:24
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 13:14
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Luke 15:22
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Colossians 3:9-10
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, / and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Psalm 132:9
May Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and Your saints shout for joy.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Matthew 22:11-12
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. / ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless.

Galatians 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Job 29:14
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban.

Treasury of Scripture

And he answered and spoke to those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And to him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with change of raiment.

those.

Zechariah 3:1,7
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…

1 Kings 22:19
And he said, Hear thou therefore 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 hand and on his left.

Isaiah 6:2,3
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly…

Take.

Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Ezekiel 36:25
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Galatians 3:27,28
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ…

I have.

2 Samuel 12:13
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

Psalm 32:1,2
A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered…

Psalm 51:9
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

and I will.

Isaiah 61:3,10
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified…

Luke 15:22
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

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Angel Apparel Cause Caused Change Clean Clothe Clothed Clothes Clothing Festal Festival-Robes Filthy Garments Iniquity Raiment Remove Rich Robes Speaketh Standing Stood Turn Unclean

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Zechariah 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.

Berean Study Bible

So the angel said
The term "angel" in Hebrew is "mal'ak," which means "messenger." In the context of Zechariah, this angel is a divine messenger, often understood to be a representation of God's presence and authority. The angel's role here is pivotal, acting as an intermediary who conveys God's will and enacts His divine plan. This highlights the importance of divine intervention and the role of angels as executors of God's will, emphasizing the belief in a God who is actively involved in the redemption and purification of His people.

to those standing before him
This phrase indicates the presence of other heavenly beings or attendants, possibly other angels, who are witnesses to the proceedings. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a court setting often involved multiple attendants or witnesses. This imagery suggests a heavenly court where divine justice and mercy are being dispensed. It underscores the communal aspect of divine actions, where God's decisions are witnessed and affirmed by His heavenly host.

Take off his filthy clothes!
The "filthy clothes" symbolize sin and impurity. In Hebrew, the word for "filthy" is "tsow," which conveys the idea of something loathsome or defiled. This imagery is powerful, as clothing in the ancient world often represented one's status and identity. The removal of these garments signifies the removal of sin and the cleansing of the individual. It is a vivid illustration of God's power to purify and redeem, transforming the sinner into a new creation.

Then he said to Joshua
Joshua, the high priest, represents the people of Israel. His name, "Yehoshua" in Hebrew, means "The LORD is salvation," which is significant in this context. As the high priest, Joshua stands as a mediator between God and the people, and his cleansing symbolizes the restoration of the nation. This personal address to Joshua highlights the intimate and personal nature of God's redemptive work.

See, I have removed your iniquity
The removal of iniquity is a central theme in the message of salvation. The Hebrew word for "iniquity" is "avon," which refers to guilt or sin. This divine act of removing iniquity is a profound expression of God's grace and forgiveness. It signifies a complete and total cleansing, not just a covering of sin, but its removal. This act is a precursor to the ultimate redemption through Christ, who takes away the sin of the world.

and I will clothe you with splendid robes
The "splendid robes" symbolize righteousness and honor. In Hebrew, the word for "splendid" is "machalatsot," which can also mean "festal" or "rich." This transformation from filthy garments to splendid robes represents the new identity and status bestowed upon the believer. It is a powerful image of God's grace, where He not only forgives but also restores and elevates. This foreshadows the righteousness of Christ that believers are clothed with, emphasizing the transformative power of God's salvation.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - He answered. The Angel of Jehovah answered the mute petition of Joshua. Those that stood before him. The attendant angels, who waited on the Angel of Jehovah to do his pleasure (see note on ver. 1). Take away the filthy garments. This symbolized remission of sins and restoration to favour, as the following words explain, I will clothe thee with change of raiment; Revised Version, with rich apparel. The word machalatsoth occurs also in Isaiah 3:22, and may mean either "change of raiment," or "costly raiment;" or the meanings may be combined in the sense of "festal robes," only worn on great occasions and changed after the occasion. They are used here as symbols of righteousness and glory. Not only is the sin pardoned, but the wearer is restored to the full glory of his state. The LXX. makes the words to be addressed to the attendants, "Clothe ye him in a robe flowing to the feet" (ποδήρη, the word used for Aaron's priestly garment, Exodus 28:4; Ecclus. 45:8).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So [the Angel of the LORD]
וַיַּ֣עַן (way·ya·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

said
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

those standing
הָעֹמְדִ֤ים (hā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

before Him,
לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

“Take off
הָסִ֛ירוּ (hā·sî·rū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

his filthy
הַצֹּאִ֖ים (haṣ·ṣō·’îm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6674: Soiled

clothes!”
הַבְּגָדִ֥ים (hab·bə·ḡā·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

Then He said
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to [Joshua],
אֵלָ֗יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“See,
רְאֵ֨ה (rə·’êh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

I have removed
הֶעֱבַ֤רְתִּי (he·‘ĕ·ḇar·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

your iniquity,
עֲוֺנֶ֔ךָ (‘ă·wō·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

and I will clothe
וְהַלְבֵּ֥שׁ (wə·hal·bêš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

you
אֹתְךָ֖ (’ō·ṯə·ḵā)
Direct object marker | second person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

with splendid robes.”
מַחֲלָצֽוֹת׃ (ma·ḥă·lā·ṣō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4254: Robe of state

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OT Prophets: Zechariah 3:4 He answered and spoke to those who (Zech. Zec Zc)