Zechariah 4:1-9

1 The angel who talked with me came again, and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep.

2 He said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I have seen, and, behold, a menorah all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are on the top of it;

3 and two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl, and the other on the left side of it."

4 I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?"

5 Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."

6 Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbavel, saying, 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD of Hosts.

7 Who are you, great mountain? before Zerubbavel [you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'"

8 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

9 "The hands of Zerubbavel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and 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.