Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments - symbol of sin (Proverbs 30:12; Isaiah 4:4; Isaiah 64:6); proving that it is not on the ground of His people's righteousness that He accepts them. Here primarily the "filthy garments" represent the abject state temporally of the Jewish priesthood and people at the return from Babylon. Yet he "stood before the angel." Abject as he was, he was before Yahweh's eyes, who graciously accepts His people's services, though mixed with sin and infirmity. The imagery is Persian. The filthy garments in which Joshua appears are such as were usually worn by those on their trial upon some accusation. The white robe is the caftan or robe of honour which is still upon an Eastern minister of state who has been acquitted of charges brought against him.