SUMMARY
In the fourth vision, the prophet sees Joshua the high priestThe high priest was the most powerful priest in the temple in Jerusalem. The high priest Caiaphas held the office during the trial of Jesus. Later, in the New Testament book of Hebrews, the role of merciful high priest is ascribed to the resurrected Jesus. More facing the angel of the Lord, with Satan at the angel’s side accusing Joshua. The Lord rebukes Satan and commands that Joshua’s filthy clothes be replaced with clean garments and a clean turban for his head.
ANALYSIS
In Genesis 3:1-5, Eve’s tempter is the unnamed “serpentA serpent is described as the snake who tricked Eve into disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. Elsewhere a serpent appears in narratives relating to Moses, in the Psalms, and in Isaiah. Jesus invoked the image of serpents and snakes in his preaching; and... More.” In Zechariah the word “Satan” appears with a definitive article, ha-satan, and could be translated as “the adversary” or “the accuser.” The same term appears in the heavenly scene in Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7, where Satan appears among the heavenly beings. In 1 Samuel 29:4 and 1 Kings 11:14, the word refers to a human adversary. In Numbers 22:32, an angel appears “as an adversary” to Balaam. In 1 Chronicles 21:1 (“Satan stood up against Israel, and incited David to count the people”), the word is a proper name and is a tempter against God’s will.
