And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD.

ZECHARIAH 6:14KJV
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Zechariah 6:14 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 6:14 mean?

Zechariah 6:14 says that the crowns made earlier in the chapter are to be kept in the temple of the LORD as a memorial, belonging to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen the son of Zephaniah. This verse marks the crowns as lasting reminders of these men’s participation in a special event connected to the temple.

Zechariah, a prophet speaking to the returned exiles in Jerusalem, is describing a symbolic act where certain men bring silver and gold to make crowns. These crowns are not just for immediate use but are set aside in the temple as a memorial—meaning they serve as a sign or reminder of God’s work through these individuals and the hope for a coming priest-king.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 6:14

  • "crowns" (עֲטָרוֹת, atarot): This word is plural, showing that more than one crown was made, which fits the symbolic and communal nature of the act.
  • "memorial" (זִכָּרוֹן, zikkaron): This word means a remembrance or reminder. Here, it means the crowns are not for wearing but for keeping in the temple as a visible sign of what happened.
  • "temple" (הֵיכָל, heikal): This word refers to the sanctuary or main building of the LORD’s house, emphasizing that the crowns are kept in a sacred, central place.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, underlining that the memorial is dedicated to the God of Israel.

Why Zechariah 6:14 matters

  • Zechariah 6:14 clarifies that the crowns are not just ceremonial objects but are meant to be lasting reminders in the temple, connecting the people’s present actions to God’s ongoing promises.
  • The verse highlights the involvement of specific individuals, showing that their faith and generosity are honored in a public and enduring way.
  • By placing the crowns in the temple, the verse ties the hope for a future priest-king (introduced in the surrounding verses) to the real, historical community and their worship.

Where else these words appear

“Zephaniah” Hebrew H6846 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:18 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
  • Jeremiah 29:25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
  • Jeremiah 52:24 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

“Jedaiah” Hebrew H3048 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 9:10 And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,
  • Nehemiah 7:39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
  • Nehemiah 12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua.

“Tobijah” Hebrew H2900 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 17:8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
  • Nehemiah 4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
  • Nehemiah 6:19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

“memorial” Hebrew H2146 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • Nehemiah 2:20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.