Zechariah 6:15
And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.
Zechariah 6:15 · King James Version
Meaning
According to this verse from the book of Zechariah, it is prophesied that those who are far away will come to build in the temple of the Lord, signifying a time of restoration and unity among God's people. The phrase "they that are far off" likely refers to the distant nations or people who will be drawn to worship the Lord in his temple. The verse also emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's voice, suggesting that the fulfillment of this prophecy is contingent upon the people diligently following the commands of the Lord. By obeying the voice of the Lord, the people will come to recognize that the Lord of hosts has indeed sent the messenger who delivered this prophecy. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the power of God to bring together people from all corners of the earth for the purpose of worship and building up the kingdom of the Lord.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of this verse, it is crucial to understand the context in which it appears. The phrase "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD" can be seen as a prophecy regarding the inclusivity of God's kingdom. In the Old Testament, the temple was considered the dwelling place of God on earth, and only certain individuals, such as the priests, were allowed to enter and participate in its construction. However, this verse suggests a radical shift in perspective, stating that even those who are far off will come and contribute to building the temple. This can be interpreted as a message of hope and redemption for all people, regardless of their distance from God. The verse goes on to emphasize the importance of obedience to God's voice, indicating that the fulfillment of this prophecy is contingent upon faithful adherence to His commands. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of God's inclusive love and the necessity of obedience in receiving His blessings.
Zechariah 6:15 in other translations
American Standard Version
And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of Jehovah; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you. And [this] shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your God.
World English Bible
Those who are far off shall come and build in Yahweh’s temple; and you shall know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you. This will happen, if you will diligently obey Yahweh your God’s voice.”’”
Douay-Rheims
And they that are far off, shall come and shall build in the temple of the Lord: and you shall know that the Lord of hosts sent me to you. But this shall come to pass, if hearing you will hear the voice of the Lord your God.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they that are farre off, shall come and build in the Temple of the Lord, and ye shall know, that the Lord of hostes hath sent me vnto you. And this shall come to passe, if ye will obey the voyce of the Lord your God.