Definition: And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zechariah 6:12. It’s a really important and symbolic passage in the Bible! Here's a simple explanation: What it means on the surface level: “And speak unto him, saying…” : This is like giving a direct instruction to someone. “…Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts…” : The Lord (God) is speaking. “…saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:” This is the core of the message. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “The Branch” : This is the key word here. In Hebrew, “branch” means a leader , an authority , or a person who rises up . Think of a tree – a branch grows out from the trunk and becomes a part of the whole. “…grow up out of his place…” : This suggests that this person is not just existing; they are developing , evolving , and taking on responsibility. They're becoming more significant. “…and he shall build the temple of the LORD:” This means this person will be a vital part in building something incredibly important – a temple to God! A temple represents God’s presence, worship, and connection with humanity. So, the overall message is about a rising leader who is destined for great things. It speaks about a time when God wants to establish a strong and righteous leader, one who will serve as a bridge between God and people. Why is this important? This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ. It suggests that Jesus (or a future Messiah) will be the “branch” that grows up and builds a new temple for God – a temple that represents God's presence and allows people to worship Him directly. In short, it’s saying that a significant leader is rising up, and their actions will lead to a glorious building of God’s presence. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes? Discuss the historical context (when was this passage written)?