Zechariah 4:9-14

9 "The hands of Zerubbabel have 1laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will 2finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
10 "For who has despised the day of 3small things? But these 4seven will be glad when they see the 5plumb * line * in the hand of Zerubbabel -these are the 6eyes of the LORD which 7range to and fro throughout the earth."
11 Then I said to him, "What are these 8two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?"
12 And I answered the second time and said to him, "What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?"
13 So he answered me, saying, "9Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, 10my lord."
14 Then he said, "These are the two 11anointed * ones who are 12standing by the 13Lord of the whole earth."

Zechariah 4:9-14 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.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Ezra 3:8-10; Ezra 5:16; Haggai 2:18
  • 2. Ezra 6:14, 15; Zechariah 6:12, 13
  • 3. Nehemiah 4:2-4; Amos 7:2, 5; Haggai 2:3
  • 4. Zechariah 3:9; Revelation 8:2
  • 5. Amos 7:7, 8
  • 6. 2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 16:17
  • 7. Zechariah 1:10; Revelation 5:6
  • 8. Zechariah 4:3; Revelation 11:4
  • 9. Zechariah 4:5
  • 10. Zechariah 4:4, 5
  • 11. Exodus 29:7; Exodus 40:15; 1 Sam 16:1, 12, 13; Isaiah 61:1-3; Daniel 9:24-26
  • 12. Zechariah 3:1-7
  • 13. Micah 4:13

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Lit "you" (plural)
  • [b]. Or "But they will rejoice when they see...Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of the LORD
  • [c]. Lit "plummet stone"
  • [d]. Or "clusters"
  • [e]. Lit "sons of fresh oil"
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