Zechariah 4:3-13

3 There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."
4 I asked the angel who was speaking with me, "What do these things mean, sir?"
5 Then the angel asked me, "Don't you know what they mean?" "No, sir," I answered.
6 Then he replied, "This is the word the LORD spoke to Zerubbabel: You won't [succeed] by might or by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Armies.
7 What a high mountain you are! In front of Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring out the topmost stone with shouts of 'Blessings, blessings on it!'"
8 Then the LORD spoke his word to me. He said,
9 "Zerubbabel's hands have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of Armies has sent me to you.
10 Who despised the day when little things began to happen? They will be delighted when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand. (These seven eyes of the LORD roam over all the earth.)"
11 I asked the angel, "What do these two olive trees at the right and the left of the lamp stand mean?"
12 Again I asked him, "What is the meaning of the two branches from the olive trees next to the two golden pipes that are pouring out gold?"
13 He asked me, "Don't you know what these things mean?" "No, sir," I answered.

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Zechariah 4:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 4

In this chapter are contained the vision of a golden candlestick, and of two olive trees by it, and the explanation thereof. The preparation to this vision, which is the awaking of the prophet, as of a man out of sleep, is in Zec 4:1. The vision of the candlestick, and olive trees, is in Zec 4:2,3. The candlestick is described by the matter of it, gold; and by the parts of it, its bowl, lamps, and pipes; and the olive trees by their situation; the explanation of which is at the request of the prophet, he not knowing what they meant, Zec 4:4,5 when it is observed to him, that this represents, under the type of Zerubbabel building the temple, the building of the Gospel church by Christ; and which is done and finished, not by might or power of man, but by the Spirit, notwithstanding all opposition, and contempt of it, to the great joy of many, who observe the grace of God, and his providential care and goodness, in it, Zec 4:6-10 and upon the prophet's inquiring the meaning of the two olive trees, which he was ignorant of, he is told that these are the two anointed ones that stood by the Lord of the whole earth, Zec 4:11-14.

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