Zechariah 4:1-9

Fifth Vision: Gold Lampstand

1 The angel who was speaking with me then returned and roused me as one awakened out of sleep.

2 He asked me, "What do you see?" I replied, "I see a solid gold lampstand there with a bowl on its top. It has seven lamps on it and seven channels for each of^[a] the lamps on its top.

3 There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."

4 Then I asked the angel who was speaking with me, "What are these, my lord?"

5 "Don't you know what they are?" replied the angel who was speaking with me. I said, "No, my lord."

6 So he answered me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,'^[b] says the Lord of Hosts.

7 'What are you, great mountain?^[c] Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain.^[d] And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it!' "

8 Then the word of the Lord came to me:

9 "Zerubbabel's hands have laid the foundation of this house,^[e] and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Hosts has sent me to you.

Zechariah 4:1-9 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or seven lips to; each lip would hold a wick for the lamp.
• [b]. Hs 1:7; Hg 2:4-5
• [c]. Mt 17:20; 21:21; 1 Co 13:2
• [d]. Isa 40:4
• [e]. Ezr 3:8-11; 5:16