Zechariah4
New Living Translation
1Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep.
2“What do you see now?” he asked. I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks.
3And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl.”
4Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my lord? What do they mean?”
5“Don’t you know?” the angel asked. “No, my lord,” I replied.
6Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
7Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!’”
8Then another message came to me from the Lord:
9“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.
10Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)
11Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand,
12and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?”
13“Don’t you know?” he asked. “No, my lord,” I replied.
14Then he said to me, “They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Zechariah 4.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A vision of a candlestick, with two olive trees. (1–7). Further encouragement. (8–10). An explanation respecting the olive trees. (11–14).
vv1-7
The prophet's spirit was willing to attend, but the flesh was weak. We should beg of God that, whenever he speaks to us, he would awaken us, and we should then stir up ourselves. The church is a golden candlestick, or lamp-bearer, set up for enlightening this dark world, and holding forth the light of Divine revelation. Two olive trees were seen, one on each side the candlestick, from which oil flowed into the bowl without ceasing. God brings to pass his gracious purposes concerning his church, without any art or labour of man; sometimes he makes use of his instruments, yet he needs them not. This represented the abundance of Divine grace, for the enlightening and making holy the ministers and members of the church, and which cannot be procured or prevented by any human power. The vision assures us that the good work of building the temple, should be brought to a happy end. The difficulty is represented as a great mountain. But all difficulties shall vanish, and all the objections be got over. Faith will remove mountains, and make them plains. Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains of difficulty were in the way of his undertaking, but nothing is too hard for him. What comes from the grace of God, may, in faith, be committed to the grace of God, for he will not forsake the work of his own hands.
vv8-10
The exact fulfilment of Scripture prophecies is a convincing proof of their Divine original. Though the instruments be weak and unlikely, yet God often chooses such, to bring about great things by them. Let not the dawning light be despised; it will shine more and more to the perfect day. Those who despaired of finishing the work, shall rejoice when they see Zerubbabel giving directions what to do, and taking care that the work be done. It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant regard to Divine Providence, act in dependence on its guidance and submission to its disposals. Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view Him carrying on his work according to his own glorious plan, and daily bringing his spiritual building nearer to completion. (Zec 4:11-14)
vv11-14
Zechariah desires to know what are the two olive trees. Zerubbabel and Joshua, this prince and this priest, were endued with the gifts and graces of God's Spirit. They lived at the same time, and both were instruments in the work and service of God. Christ's offices of King and Priest were shadowed forth by them. From the union of these two offices in his person, both God and man, the fullness of grace is received and imparted. They built the temple, the church of God. So does Christ spiritually. Christ is not only the Messiah, the Anointed One himself, but he is the Good Olive to his church; and from his fulness we receive. And the Holy Spirit is the unction or anointing which we have received. From Christ the Olive Tree, by the Spirit the Olive Branch, all the golden oil of grace flows to believers, which keeps their lamps burning. Let us seek, through the intercession and bounty of the Saviour, supplies from that fulness which has hitherto sufficed for all his saints, according to their trials and employments. Let us wait on him in his ordinances, desiring to be sanctified wholly in body, soul, and spirit.
Key Words
מֲלְאָךְ: a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
דָבַר: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
שׁוּב: to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
עוּר: to wake (literally or figuratively)
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
שֵׁנָה: sleep
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
מָה: properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
אַתָּה: thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
Cross References
Zechariah 4Explicitly identifies the two olive trees and two candlesticks standing before the Lord of the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Provides the structural and ceremonial pattern of the golden candlestick in the Tabernacle.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Defines the eyes of the Lord running to and fro throughout the whole earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels salvation achieved not by bow, sword, battle, horses, or horsemen, but by the Lord.
Supported by JFB
God's Spirit remains among the post-exilic community, fulfilling His covenant promise to Israel.
Supported by JFB
Records the actual historical shoutings of joy and weeping at the laying of the temple foundation.
Supported by JFB
Records historically that Sheshbazzar (Zerubbabel) laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects the seven eyes of the Lamb with the seven Spirits sent into the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The stone which the builders refused is exalted, matching Zerubbabel's headstone/top-stone motif.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The leveling of valleys and mountains to make a straight plain before God's work.
Supported by JFB
Connects the seven eyes upon the single stone with the seven eyes of God in chapter 4.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the teacher's gentle probing question: 'Know ye not this parable?'
Supported by JFB
Affirms that there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.
Supported by JFB
Prophetic stone cut out without hands that smites the image and becomes a great mountain.
Supported by JFB
Addresses those who despised the temple's reconstruction as 'nothing' in comparison to Solomon's.
Supported by Matthew Henry