Symbolic acts are an important part of everyday life. Some are so common we hardly notice them—a handshake, a hug, or a wave goodbye. Others occur at meaningful moments in our lives—a wedding ceremony, baptism, or placing flowers by a grave. They all communicate something deeper and more meaningful than the act itself.

Zechariah 6:9–15 includes a rich symbolic act. The Lord told Zechariah that a deputation of exiled Jews would arrive from Babylon bearing gifts (vv. 9–10). Zechariah was to take the silver and gold from these gifts and fashion two crowns (v. 11). The Hebrew word “crown” is plural although many translations render it as singular. These crowns were to be placed on the high priest, Joshua (v. 11). After the crowning, a prophetic pronouncement was to be made: “Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the LORD” (v. 12).

This event was symbolic for two reasons. First, after the ceremony, the crown was to be removed from Joshua and placed in the Temple as a memorial (v. 14). It was not Joshua’s to keep. Second, the Temple that Zerubbabel started was already almost complete. Clearly, this act pointed forward to a future Davidic King. The two crowns represented the roles of priest and king, indicating that this future Messiah would unite the two offices. This future Messiah would build a new Temple fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (Ezek. 40–48). As in many other places, the Messianic figure was called the “Branch” (Isa. 4:2; 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15).

This ceremony and the crown would serve as symbols for the Jewish people to look forward to a coming Messiah. When we take communion, we engage in a symbolic act that looks forward to Jesus’ return (1 Cor. 11:26).

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