Zechariah 3:3

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes ¹  as he stood there before the angel.

2Ch 30:18-20; Ezr 9:15; Isa 64:6; Da 9:18; Mt 22:11-13; Re 7:13,14; Re 19:8

¹ sn The Hebrew word צוֹאִים (tso’im) means “excrement.” This disgusting figure of speech suggests Joshua’s absolute disqualification for priestly service in the flesh, but v. 2 speaks of his having been rescued from that deplorable state by God’s grace. He is like a burning stick pulled out of the fire before it is consumed. This is a picture of cleansing, saving grace.