Who was Hen?
Hen is a lesser-known biblical figure mentioned briefly in the book of Zechariah. His name appears in a prophetic context during a symbolic crowning ceremony meant to prefigure the coming of the Messiah. The name Hen (Hebrew: חֵן, Ḥēn) means “grace” or “favor,” a term rich in theological significance throughout the Old Testament. Though his appearance is brief, Hen serves as a part of a larger prophetic narrative that underscores God‘s grace in the restoration and future redemption of His people.
Biblical Reference and Context
Hen is mentioned in Zechariah 6:14, where the prophet Zechariah is instructed to take silver and gold from the exiles and make a crown for Joshua the high priest. This symbolic act points forward to the coming of the “Branch,” a Messianic figure who will combine priestly and kingly roles. The crown is to be placed in the temple as a memorial.
“The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord.” — Zechariah 6:14, NIV
Hen is listed among the donors and witnesses of this prophetic act. While little is said about him personally, the fact that he is named — and that his name means “grace” — contributes to the theological weight of the scene.
Cross-References
- Zechariah 3:8-10 – Joshua the high priest and the Branch are mentioned again in a vision that anticipates messianic hope.
- Isaiah 11:1-5 – Another prophecy about the Branch, a shoot from the stump of Jesse, filled with wisdom and the Spirit of the Lord.
- Psalm 45:6-7 – A messianic psalm that blends royal and divine imagery.
- Hebrews 7:1-28 – A New Testament exposition on Jesus as a priest-king in the order of Melchizedek.
What Happened in the Bible
In Zechariah 6, after a vision of four chariots symbolizing God’s sovereign activity across the earth, the Lord gives Zechariah a specific command: take an offering from the returned exiles and make an ornate crown. This crown is to be placed on the head of Joshua the high priest — not Zerubbabel the governor — which is striking, because crowns are usually reserved for kings, not priests.
Hen son of Zephaniah is one of the men whose gift of gold and silver is used for this crown. He, along with Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, is recorded as part of this memorial act. The crown was not for Joshua to keep, but to be stored in the temple as a symbol of what was to come: the uniting of priesthood and kingship in the Messiah, the Branch.
Hen’s presence and contribution become part of a prophetic shadow pointing forward to the Lord Jesus Christ.
What It Means for Today’s Christians
Though Hen is a minor character, his name and role in this prophetic act underscore a foundational truth of the gospel: salvation and leadership in God’s kingdom are established by grace. The inclusion of exiles like Hen in this prophetic moment shows that God brings back His people not by their strength but by His mercy.
Christians today can take encouragement that the Lord uses ordinary people — often unnamed or briefly mentioned — in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Hen represents the kind of person God delights to use: those who respond in faith and obedience, contributing to God’s mission, even in small ways.
How Hen’s Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel
The symbolic crowning of Joshua — using the offering given by Hen and others — points directly to Jesus Christ, who is both Priest and King. The name Hen, meaning “grace,” aligns with the character of Jesus, who came full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Just as Hen’s contribution was used to crown the high priest in a prophetic act, so the grace of God is what exalts Christ as the eternal Priest-King.
Jesus is the true Branch, the one who builds the temple of the Lord (Zechariah 6:12–13). He is crowned not with silver and gold, but with glory and honor after His resurrection. The memorial crown serves as a reminder of God’s gracious promise to raise up a leader who unites heaven and earth.
Broader Biblical Themes
Grace as the Basis of God’s Work
Hen’s name itself evokes one of Scripture’s most central themes: God’s grace. The unmerited favor that God shows to sinful humanity is seen in Hen’s role in the restoration period and foreshadows the ultimate grace shown in Christ.
Restoration and Hope
The return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple are constant reminders of God’s commitment to restore His people. Hen’s inclusion among the returning exiles emphasizes that no one is forgotten in God’s plan.
The Priest-King Motif
Hen’s small part in the crowning of Joshua contributes to one of the most powerful messianic symbols in Scripture: the uniting of priestly and kingly roles in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Mediator.
God Uses the Faithful Few
Though Hen is little-known, his name is recorded in God’s Word. This illustrates that the faithful acts of seemingly minor individuals are never lost in God’s sight. Faithfulness, not fame, is what God honors.
Reflection Questions
- What does Hen’s name — “grace” — reveal about God’s character and how He accomplishes His purposes?
- Why is the symbolic crowning of a priest significant in the context of messianic prophecy?
- How does the uniting of priest and king in Jesus impact your understanding of His role in your life today?
- Hen was part of a memorial act that pointed to the future. In what ways can our actions today serve as testimonies for future generations?
- What small, faithful contributions can you make that might become part of God’s greater redemptive story?
Though Hen is a minor character in the Old Testament, his role in a pivotal prophetic moment reminds us that God works through grace, uses ordinary people, and weaves even the smallest details into the grand tapestry of redemption through Jesus Christ.