Zechariah 4

King James Version

Full text for Zechariah Chapter 4

1¶ And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

2And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all [of] gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which [are] upon the top thereof:

3And two olive trees by it, one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof.

4So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What [are] these, my lord?

5Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

7Who [art] thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel [thou shalt become] a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone [thereof with] shoutings, [crying], Grace, grace unto it.

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

9The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

10For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel [with] those seven; they [are] the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

11¶ Then answered I, and said unto him, What [are] these two olive trees upon the right [side] of the candlestick and upon the left [side] thereof?

12And I answered again, and said unto him, What [be these] two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden [oil] out of themselves?

13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be]? And I said, No, my lord.

14Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Zechariah sees a vision of a golden candlestick with seven lamps, flanked by two olive trees. The angel explains that this symbolizes the Lord's message to Zerubbabel: the temple will be completed "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Zerubbabel will overcome all obstacles and finish the work he started, with the "day of small things" being celebrated by the omnipresent eyes of the Lord. The two olive trees are revealed to be "the two anointed ones" who stand before the Lord of the whole earth.

Medium Summary

The prophet Zechariah is awakened by an angel and shown a vision of a golden candlestick, complete with a bowl, seven lamps, and seven pipes, flanked by two olive trees. Upon inquiring about its meaning, the angel reveals a message for Zerubbabel, emphasizing that the rebuilding of the temple will be accomplished "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." Obstacles, likened to a "great mountain," will become a "plain" before Zerubbabel, who will bring forth the temple's headstone with shouts of grace. The Lord assures that Zerubbabel, who laid the foundation, will also finish the work, and the "day of small things" should not be scorned. The seven lamps are identified as the "eyes of the LORD," which survey the whole earth. Finally, Zechariah's further inquiry about the olive trees reveals them to be "the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Long Summary

Zechariah chapter four opens with the prophet being roused from sleep by the angel who had been speaking with him, and is then asked what he sees. Zechariah describes a vision of a golden candlestick, featuring a bowl at its top, seven lamps, and seven pipes feeding these lamps. Significantly, two olive trees stand beside the candlestick, one on the right and one on the left. Puzzled, Zechariah asks the angel for an interpretation. The angel initially questions Zechariah's lack of understanding before delivering the core message: "This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." This divine declaration assures Zerubbabel that seemingly insurmountable challenges, metaphorically a "great mountain," will be leveled before him, becoming a "plain." Zerubbabel is prophesied to complete the temple, bringing forth its headstone amidst shouts of "Grace, grace unto it." The Lord further confirms that Zerubbabel, who initiated the temple's foundation, will also be the one to bring it to completion, thereby demonstrating that the Lord of hosts has indeed sent the angel. The passage admonishes against despising "the day of small things," as those who witness Zerubbabel's work will rejoice, understanding that the seven lamps represent "the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth." Zechariah then reiterates his question regarding the two olive trees and the golden oil they supply through golden pipes. The angel, once more, asks if Zechariah comprehends, and upon his negative reply, reveals that these are "the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Core Concepts

  • The Golden CandlestickA central element of Zechariah's vision, representing divine light and the continuous presence of God, sustained by a miraculous supply of oil.
  • Divine EmpowermentThe core message delivered to Zerubbabel, stating that the temple's completion will be achieved "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts," emphasizing reliance on God's power.
  • Zerubbabel's CommissionZerubbabel is divinely assured that he will overcome all obstacles, likened to a "great mountain," and will finish the temple's construction, bringing forth its headstone with shouts of grace.
  • The Day of Small ThingsAn exhortation against despising humble beginnings, as the Lord's work, even in its initial stages, is under divine observation and will culminate in rejoicing.
  • The Eyes of the LORDRepresented by the seven lamps of the candlestick, these are described as "the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth," signifying God's omnipresent watchfulness and knowledge.
  • The Two Anointed OnesThe two olive trees are identified as "the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth," signifying divinely appointed figures or offices of spiritual and temporal authority.