Joshua the High Priest was a notable biblical figure who served as the first high priest of the Israelites after their return from the Babylonian exile. His name, “Joshua,” means “Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh saves.” Joshua was born circa 6th century BCE, and his father was Jozadak (also known as Jehozadak), a high priest who was taken into captivity by the Babylonians (1 Chronicles 6:15).
Early Life of Joshua
Little is known about Joshua’s early life. He was likely born and raised in Babylon during the exile, as his father was one of those taken captive. He belonged to the priestly family of the tribe of Levi, and his lineage can be traced back to Aaron, the brother of Moses, and the first high priest of Israel (Ezra 3:2).
Return from Exile and Reconstruction of the Temple
In 538 BCE, King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree allowing the Israelites to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). Joshua the High Priest, along with Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, led the first group of returning exiles (Ezra 2:1-2). Under their leadership, the construction of the Second Temple began, and the foundation was laid in 536 BCE (Ezra 3:8-13).
Opposition and Completion of the Temple
During the rebuilding process, the Israelites faced opposition from their neighbors, who attempted to discourage and sabotage their efforts (Ezra 4:1-5). Work on the temple stopped for a period of time but resumed under the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2). Joshua played a crucial role in the completion of the temple, which was finally finished in 516 BCE, 70 years after the destruction of the First Temple (Ezra 6:14-15).
Zechariah’s Vision of Joshua
In Zechariah 3:1-10, the prophet describes a vision in which he saw Joshua the High Priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, wearing filthy garments, symbolizing the sins of Israel. Satan stood at Joshua’s right hand to accuse him. The Angel of the Lord rebuked Satan and ordered that Joshua’s filthy garments be removed and replaced with clean, rich garments, representing the forgiveness of sins and the restoration of the priesthood.
The Prophecy of the Branch
In Zechariah 6:12-13 the passage points to a future figure, the Branch, who will unite the roles of both king and priest, bringing harmony between the two offices. The term “Branch” is also used in other prophetic passages in the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 11:1-2 and Jeremiah 23:5-6, to refer to a future descendant of David who will restore the kingdom and bring peace and justice.
In the context of Zechariah’s prophecy, Joshua the High Priest can be seen as a foreshadowing or a type of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Joshua’s role in rebuilding the temple and restoring the priesthood after the exile points to the greater spiritual restoration that Jesus would bring.
The connection between Joshua the High Priest and the Branch becomes more evident in Zechariah 3:8. Where the Lord tells Joshua that he and his fellow priests are symbolic of the future work of the Branch. The imagery of the clean garments in Zechariah’s vision of Joshua (Zechariah 3:1-10) further reinforces this connection, as it foreshadows the forgiveness and righteousness that Jesus would bring to those who trust in Him. As the Messiah, Jesus unites the roles of king and priest, ruling over God’s people with authority and compassion and providing atonement for their sins through his sacrificial death and resurrection. In the New Testament, the author of the book of Hebrews emphasizes Jesus’ dual role as both King and High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26).
Death of Joshua
The Bible does not provide explicit information about the death of Joshua the High Priest. However, it is believed that he served as the high priest for several years following the completion of the Second Temple, helping to reestablish the religious practices of the Israelites.