What Does Zechariah 6:12 Mean in the King James?

And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

Zechariah 6:12 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

“The Branch” and the one who “grows” share the same Hebrew root: the title already carries the movement of sprouting.

THE MEANING

Restoration reaches you as growth rising from beneath and taking form as a dwelling for the LORD. The Branch grows, and that growth becomes a place of presence.

THE ROOT

צֶמַח

tsemaḥ

GROWS FROM

צמח

ts-m-ḥ

To sprout, shoot forth, or grow.

English makes “Branch” a title and “grow” a separate action, but both carry the root ⁨צמח⁩. The name already contains the movement of sprouting, and that movement becomes the promise of a dwelling.

ALSO GROWS

yitzmaḥ: He shall sprout or grow

יִצְמַח

This is the verb translated “grow” in the verse, so the Branch’s name and his action share one root.

matsmiaḥ: Causing to sprout; making grow

מַצְמִיחַ

Psalm 147:8 uses this form for the one who makes grass grow, showing the root can name both growth and the one bringing it forth.

THE PATTERN

What God brings forth as living growth becomes visible in fruit and increase.

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

Isaiah 4:2 · KJVThe Branch appears alongside the earth’s fruit, joining new growth with visible abundance.

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:5 · KJVThe Branch raised from David becomes a living ruler whose work takes shape in the earth.

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:6 · KJVHuman hands plant and water, while the increase itself comes from God.

THE THREAD

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:5 · KJV

Jeremiah uses ⁨צֶמַח⁩ (tsemaḥ, “Branch”) for the growth raised from David’s line. In Zechariah, that same root names both the Branch and his growing, joining identity and emergence in one word-family.

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