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Zechariah 4

BSB·14 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then the angelהַמַּלְאָ֖ךְham·mal·’āḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → who was speakingהַדֹּבֵ֣רhad·dō·ḇêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → with me returnedוַיָּ֕שָׁבway·yā·šāḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → and woke meוַיְעִירֵ֕נִיway·‘î·rê·nî — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study →, as a manכְּאִ֖ישׁkə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → is awakenedיֵע֥וֹרyê·‘ō·wr — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study → from his sleepמִשְּׁנָתֽוֹ׃miš·šə·nā·ṯōw — sleep; slumber; restH8142 — Full Word Study →. 2Whatמָ֥הmāh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → do youאַתָּ֖ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → seeרֹאֶ֑הrō·’eh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study →?” he askedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “I seeרָאִ֣יתִי׀rā·’î·ṯî — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → a solid goldזָהָ֨בzā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → lampstandמְנוֹרַת֩mə·nō·w·raṯ — Lampstand; candelabrum for holding lampsH4501 — Full Word Study →,” I repliedוַיֹּאמֶרway·yō·mɛr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “withוְהִנֵּ֣הwə·hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → a bowlוְגֻלָּ֣הּwə·ḡul·lå̄h — Bowl or rounded vessel; pommel of a columnH1543 — Full Word Study → atעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the topרֹאשָׁ֗הּrō·šāh — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → and sevenוְשִׁבְעָ֤הwə·šiḇ·‘āh — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → lampsנֵרֹתֶ֙יהָ֙nê·rō·ṯe·hā — A lamp or light source; illuminationH5216 — Full Word Study → on itעָלֶ֔יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, with sevenוְשִׁבְעָה֙wə·šiḇ·‘āh — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → spoutsמֽוּצָק֔וֹתmū·ṣā·qō·wṯ — molten casting, cast metal objectH4166 — Full Word Study → to the lampsלַנֵּר֖וֹתlan·nê·rō·wṯ — A lamp or light source; illuminationH5216 — Full Word Study →. 3There are also twoוּשְׁנַ֥יִםū·šə·na·yim — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → olive treesזֵיתִ֖יםzê·ṯîm — olive tree; Mount of OlivesH2132 — Full Word Study → beside itעָלֶ֑יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, oneאֶחָד֙’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → on the right side of the bowlהַגֻּלָּ֔הhag·gul·lāh — Bowl or rounded vessel; pommel of a columnH1543 — Full Word Study → and the otherוְאֶחָ֖דwə·’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → its leftשְׂמֹאלָֽהּ׃śə·mō·lāh — left side, left hand, or the left directionH8040 — Full Word Study →.” 4Whatמָה־māh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → are theseאֵ֖לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study →, my lordאֲדֹנִֽי׃’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →?” I askedוָאַ֙עַן֙wā·’a·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → the angelהַמַּלְאָ֛ךְham·mal·’āḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → who was speakingהַדֹּבֵ֥רhad·dō·ḇêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → with me. 5Do you notהֲל֥וֹאhă·lō·w — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knowיָדַ֖עְתָּyā·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → whatמָה־māh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → they areהֵ֣מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study →?” repliedוַ֠יַּעַןway·ya·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → the angelהַמַּלְאָ֞ךְham·mal·’āḵ — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study →. “Noלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →, my lordאֲדֹנִֽי׃’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →,” I answeredאֵ֑לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study →. 6So he said to meוַיַּ֜עַןway·ya·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →, “Thisזֶ֚הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is the wordדְּבַר־də·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → toאֵלַי֙’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֖לzə·rub·bā·ḇel — Seed of BabylonH2216 — Full Word Study →: Notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → by mightבְחַ֙יִל֙ḇə·ḥa·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study → norוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → by powerבְכֹ֔חַḇə·ḵō·aḥ — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study →, butכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → by My Spiritבְּרוּחִ֔יbə·rū·ḥî — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →, saysאָמַ֖ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָאֽוֹת׃ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. 7Whatמִֽי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → are youאַתָּ֧ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study →, O greatהַגָּד֛וֹלhag·gā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → mountainהַֽר־har- — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study →? Beforeלִפְנֵ֥יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֖לzə·rub·bā·ḇel — Seed of BabylonH2216 — Full Word Study → you will become a plainלְמִישֹׁ֑רlə·mî·šōr — level ground, plains, or moral straightnessH4334 — Full Word Study →. Then he will bring forthוְהוֹצִיא֙wə·hō·w·ṣî — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → the capstoneהָאֶ֣בֶןhā·’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → accompanied by shouts ofתְּשֻׁא֕וֹתtə·šu·’ō·wṯ — A loud shout or cry; outcryH8663 — Full Word Study →Graceחֵ֥ןḥên — Favor, grace, or kindness shown to someoneH2580 — Full Word Study →, graceחֵ֖ןḥên — Favor, grace, or kindness shown to someoneH2580 — Full Word Study → to it!’” 8Then the wordדְבַר־ḏə·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → cameוַיְהִ֥יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to meאֵלַ֥י’ê·lay — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, sayingלֵאמֹֽר׃lê·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, 9The handsיְדֵ֣יyə·ḏê — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֗לzə·rub·bā·ḇel — Seed of BabylonH2216 — Full Word Study → have laid the foundationיִסְּד֛וּyis·sə·ḏū — to found, establish, lay a foundationH3245 — Full Word Study → of thisהַזֶּ֖הhaz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → houseהַבַּ֥יִתhab·ba·yiṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, and his handsוְיָדָ֣יוwə·yā·ḏāw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → will complete itתְּבַצַּ֑עְנָהtə·ḇaṣ·ṣa‘·nāh — to cut off, gain greedily, covetH1214 — Full Word Study →. Then you will knowוְיָ֣דַעְתָּ֔wə·yā·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֖וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → has sent meשְׁלָחַ֥נִיšə·lā·ḥa·nî — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → to youאֲלֵיכֶֽם׃’ă·lê·ḵem — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. 10Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → has despisedבַז֮ḇaz — to despise, treat with contemptH936 — Full Word Study → the dayלְי֣וֹםlə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of small thingsקְטַנּוֹת֒qə·ṭan·nō·wṯ — Small, little, least, or young in size, number, age, or importanceH6996 — Full Word Study →? But theseאֵ֑לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → sevenשִׁבְעָה־šiḇ·‘āh- — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → eyesעֵינֵ֣י‘ê·nê — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, whichהֵ֥מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → scanמְשׁוֹטְטִ֖יםmə·šō·wṭ·ṭîm — To row, travel back and forth, or traverseH7751 — Full Word Study → the wholeבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → earthהָאָֽרֶץ׃hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, will rejoiceוְשָׂמְח֗וּwə·śā·mə·ḥū — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → when they seeוְרָא֞וּwə·rā·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the plumb lineהָאֶ֧בֶןhā·’e·ḇen — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → in the handבְּיַ֥דbə·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֖לzə·rub·bā·ḇel — Seed of BabylonH2216 — Full Word Study →.” 11Then I askedוָאַ֖עַןwā·’a·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → the angel, “Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → are theהָאֵ֔לֶהhā·’ê·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → twoשְּׁנֵ֤יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → olive treesהַזֵּיתִים֙haz·zê·ṯîm — olive tree; Mount of OlivesH2132 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the rightיְמִ֥יןyə·mîn — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → and leftשְׂמֹאולָֽהּ׃śə·mō·w·lāh — left side, left hand, or the left directionH8040 — Full Word Study → of the lampstandהַמְּנוֹרָ֖הham·mə·nō·w·rāh — Lampstand; candelabrum for holding lampsH4501 — Full Word Study →?” 12And I questioned himוָאַ֣עַןwā·’a·‘an — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → furtherשֵׁנִ֔יתšê·nîṯ — second; again; another; otherH8145 — Full Word Study →, “Whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → are the twoשְׁתֵּ֞יšə·tê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → oliveהַזֵּיתִ֗יםhaz·zê·ṯîm — olive tree; Mount of OlivesH2132 — Full Word Study → branchesשִׁבֲּלֵ֣יšib·bă·lê — flowing stream; ear of grain; branchH7641 — Full Word Study → besideבְּיַ֗דbə·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → the twoשְׁנֵי֙šə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → goldהַזָּהָ֔בhaz·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → pipesצַנְתְּר֣וֹתṣan·tə·rō·wṯ — Musical pipe or fluteH6804 — Full Word Study → from whichמֵעֲלֵיהֶ֖םmê·‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the golden oil poursהַֽמְרִיקִ֥יםham·rî·qîm — to empty, pour out, exhaustH7324 — Full Word Study →?” 13Do you notהֲל֥וֹאhă·lō·w — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knowיָדַ֖עְתָּyā·ḏa‘·tā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → whatמָה־māh- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → these areאֵ֑לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study →?” he inquiredוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “Noלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →, my lordאֲדֹנִֽי׃’ă·ḏō·nî — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →,” I repliedוָאֹמַ֖רwā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. 14So he saidוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Theseאֵ֖לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → are the twoשְׁנֵ֣יšə·nê — The number two; a pair or coupleH8147 — Full Word Study → anointedהַיִּצְהָ֑רhay·yiṣ·hār — Anointing oil; fresh oil for consecration and blessingH3323 — Full Word Study → onesבְנֵֽי־ḇə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → who are standingהָעֹמְדִ֖יםhā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → besideעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the Lordאֲד֥וֹן’ă·ḏō·wn — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָאָֽרֶץ׃hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — Zechariah 4
Chapter Overview

Overview: The Vision of the Golden Lampstand

Zechariah 4 presents one of Scripture's most encouraging visions for God's people in a season of rebuilding and discouragement. The prophet sees a golden lampstand fed by two olive trees, a symbolic picture of God's empowering presence. The vision reassures Zerubbabel, the governor leading the reconstruction of the temple, that the work will be completed not through human effort alone, but through the supernatural enablement of the Holy Spirit. This chapter reminds us that God's purposes are never dependent on our strength, but on His infinite power working through willing vessels.

Verses 1–5: The Prophet's Vision Begins

The angel who has been communicating with Zechariah awakens him—suggesting that what follows is a divinely given vision requiring full attention. When asked what he sees, the prophet describes a golden lampstand with seven lamps and seven pipes, flanked by two olive trees. The specificity of the imagery is important: the golden material speaks of purity and God's presence, while the seven lamps represent fullness and completeness of divine light and knowledge. Zechariah's honest confession—"No, my lord"—shows his humility and readiness to receive God's interpretation. This teaches us that spiritual understanding comes not from our own cleverness, but from humble openness to God's revelation.

Verses 6–10: The Message to Zerubbabel

Here lies the heart of the vision's meaning. The word of the Lord comes directly to Zerubbabel with a promise that will sustain him: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (verse 6). The "great mountain" (verse 7) represents the overwhelming obstacles facing the temple's completion—opposition, weariness, limited resources, and doubt. Yet God declares that these mountains will become plains before Zerubbabel, and he will bring forth the finishing stone with shouts of grace. The seven mentioned in verse 10 likely refers to the priestly overseers, and God assures them that He watches over the work like eyes that "run to and fro through the whole earth." For Zerubbabel and his struggling community, this was revolutionary: their success depended not on military might or economic power, but on the Spirit of God working through them. The lesson is timeless—our greatest victories come when we surrender our inadequacy to God's sufficiency.

Verses 11–14: The Identity of the Olive Trees

Zechariah presses for complete understanding by asking about the two olive trees and the golden oil flowing through pipes into the lampstand. The angel's answer is profound: "These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth" (verse 14). In the context of Zechariah's time, this refers to Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor—the religious and civil leaders through whom God's anointing flowed to His people. The olive oil represents the Holy Spirit's anointing; the trees represent the leaders; the pipes are the conduit; and the lampstand is the community itself, receiving light through the Spirit's supply. The two olive trees working together illustrate how God's purposes advance through consecrated leadership that allows the Holy Spirit to flow freely, without personal ambition or self-reliance.

Application for Today

As believers facing our own "mountains"—whether in ministry, witness, or personal struggle—this vision reminds us that God is not looking for our brilliance or strength, but for our willingness to be channels of His Spirit. When we feel inadequate, weak, or discouraged, we can return to this fundamental truth: His Spirit is more than sufficient. Let us be empty pipes through which His golden oil flows, so that His light might shine brightly in our generation.

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