Zechariah 3:7

“The Lord who rules over all says, ‘If you live ¹  and work according to my requirements, you will be able to preside over my temple ²  and attend to my courtyards, and I will allow you to come and go among these others who are standing by you.

Ge 26:5; Le 8:35; Le 10:3; De 17:8-13; 1Sa 2:28-30; 1Ki 2:3; 1Ch 23:32; Jer 15:19-21; Eze 44:8,15,16; Eze 48:11; Zec 1:8-11; Zec 4:14; Zec 6:5; Mal 2:5-7; Mt 19:28; Lu 20:35,36; Lu 22:30; Joh 14:2; 1Co 6:2,3; 1Ti 6:13,14; 2Ti 4:1,2; Heb 12:22,23; Re 3:4,5; Re 3:21; Re 5:9-14

¹ tn Heb “walk,” a frequent biblical metaphor for lifestyle or conduct; TEV “If you [+ truly CEV] obey.” To “walk” in the ways of the Lord is to live life as he intends (cf. Deut 8:6; 10:12-22; 28:9).

² sn The statement you will be able to preside over my temple (Heb “house,” a reference to the Jerusalem temple) is a hint of the increasingly important role the high priest played in the postexilic Jewish community, especially in the absence of a monarchy. It also suggests the messianic character of the eschatological priesthood in which the priest would have royal prerogatives.