Zechariah Chapter 4

The Gold Lampstand

1And 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.

The Two Olive Trees

11Then 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.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Vision of the Lampstand and Olive Trees

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 lampstand 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 Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says Yahweh of Armies. 7 Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace, to it!’”

8 Moreover the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands shall also finish it; and you will know that Yahweh of Armies has sent me to you. 10 Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. These are the eyes of Yahweh, which run back and forth through the whole earth.”

11 Then I asked him, “What are these two olive trees on the right side of the lampstand and on the left side of it?” 12 I asked him the second time, “What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that pour the golden oil out of themselves?” 13 He answered me, “Don’t you know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

The Vision of the Lampstand and Olive Trees

1 Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and woke me, as a man is awakened from his sleep.

2 “What do you see?” he asked.

“I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps. 3 There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.”

4 “What are these, my lord?” I asked the angel who was speaking with me.

5 “Do you not know what they are?” replied the angel.

“No, my lord,” I answered.

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. 7 What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ ”

8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you. 10 For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes a of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line b in the hand of Zerubbabel.”

11 Then I asked the angel, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?” 12 And I questioned him further, “What are the two olive branches beside the two gold pipes from which the golden oil c pours?”

13 “Do you not know what these are?” he inquired.

“No, my lord,” I replied.

14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones d who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth.” e

Footnotes:

10 a Or facets
10 b Or the chosen capstone
12 c Hebrew from which the gold
14 d Hebrew the two sons of new oil
14 e See Revelation 11:4.

The Gold Lampstand

1And the messenger who is speaking with me doth turn back, and stir me up as one who is stirred up out of his sleep, 2and he saith unto me, 'What art thou seeing?' And I say, 'I have looked, and lo, a candlestick of gold -- all of it, and its bowl is on its top, and its seven lamps are upon it, and twice seven pipes are to the lights that are on its top, 3and two olive-trees are by it, one on the right of the bowl, and one on its left.' 4And I answer and speak unto the messenger who is speaking with me, saying, 'What are these, my lord?' 5And the messenger who is speaking with me answereth and saith unto me, 'Hast thou not known what these are?' And I say, 'No, my lord.' 6And he answereth and speaketh unto me, saying: 'This is a word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying: Not by a force, nor by power, But -- by My Spirit, said Jehovah of Hosts. 7Who art thou, O great mountain Before Zerubbabel -- for a plain! And he hath brought forth the top-stone, Cries of Grace, grace -- are to it.'

8And there is a word of Jehovah to me, saying, 9Hands of Zerubbabel did found this house, And his hands do finish it, And thou hast known that Jehovah of Hosts Hath sent me unto you. 10For who trampled on the day of small things, They have rejoiced, And seen the tin weight in the hand of Zerubbabel, These seven are the eyes of Jehovah, They are going to and fro in all the land.'

The Two Olive Trees

11And I answer and say unto him, 'What are these two olive-trees, on the right of the candlestick, and on its left?' 12And I answer a second time, and say unto him, 'What are the two branches of the olive trees that, by means of the two golden pipes, are emptying out of themselves the oil?' 13And he speaketh unto me, saying, 'Hast thou not known what these are?' And I say, 'No, my lord.' 14And he saith, 'These are the two sons of the oil, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Zechariah 4?

1.1Introduction to Zechariah 4

1.2Context of Zechariah 4

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Zechariah 4 Unique Insights

1.6Zechariah 4 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Zechariah 4 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Zechariah 4 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Zechariah 4?

Introduction to Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4 presents one of the most vivid and symbolically rich visions in prophetic literature, centering on a golden lampstand and two olive trees. This remarkable vision came to the prophet during a crucial period in Israel’s history, as the returning exiles struggled to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The chapter masterfully weaves together themes of divine enablement, spiritual illumination, and the power of God’s Spirit to accomplish what seems impossible to human understanding.

This vision particularly stands out because it contains one of the most quoted verses in Scripture: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says יהוה of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). This profound declaration serves as a timeless reminder that God’s work is accomplished not through human strength but through His supernatural empowerment.

Context of Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4 is positioned within a series of eight night visions (Zechariah 1:7-6:15) that the prophet received in 519 BCE. These visions came at a critical juncture when the returned Jewish exiles faced opposition and discouragement in rebuilding the Temple. The specific context involves Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, who was tasked with leading the Temple’s reconstruction but encountered numerous obstacles.

The chapter follows the vision of the cleansing of Joshua the High Priest in chapter 3 and precedes the vision of the flying scroll in chapter 5. This placement is significant because it shows God’s complete provision for both the priestly (Joshua) and civil (Zerubbabel) leadership of the post-exilic community. Together, these visions paint a picture of divine restoration that encompasses both spiritual and physical dimensions.

The larger biblical context connects this vision to both historical and future events. It echoes the original Tabernacle lampstand described in Exodus 25:31-40, while also pointing forward to the seven lampstands in Revelation 1:12-20. This creates a theological thread that spans from the Mosaic covenant through to the final consummation of God’s kingdom.

Ancient Key Word Study

מְנוֹרַת (menorah) – The golden lampstand represents divine light and the presence of God. Unlike the Temple menorah with seven branches, this vision shows a bowl on top, suggesting supernatural supply rather than human maintenance.
זָהָב (zahav) – Gold appears multiple times in the chapter, symbolizing divine purity and worth. The emphasis on solid gold (rather than gold-plated) points to the supernatural nature of this vision.
זַיִת (zayit) – The olive trees represent an endless supply of oil, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s unlimited resource. The dual olive trees specifically represent the “two anointed ones” who stand before the Lord.
צְבָאוֹת (tzeva’ot) – The title “LORD of hosts” appears repeatedly, emphasizing God’s supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly powers.
בְּרוּחִי (b’ruchi) – “By My Spirit” introduces a fundamental principle of divine operation. The Hebrew word רוּחַ (ruach) can mean “spirit,” “wind,” or “breath,” suggesting God’s life-giving power.
הַר־הַגָּדוֹל (har-hagadol) – The “great mountain” represents seemingly insurmountable obstacles that become level ground before Zerubbabel through divine intervention.
חֵן חֵן (chen chen) – The doubled word for “grace” creates emphasis, suggesting complete favor and acceptance. This cry accompanies the placement of the capstone on the Temple.
שִׁבְעָה (shiv’ah) – The number seven appears multiple times, representing divine perfection and completeness. The seven eyes represent God’s perfect oversight of His work.

Compare & Contrast

Zechariah 4:2 uses מְנוֹרַת (menorah) rather than נֵר (ner, lamp) because this is no ordinary light source but represents divine illumination. The construct form emphasizes its unique nature.
Zechariah 4:3 specifically mentions “right” and “left” positions of the olive trees, indicating divine appointment and authority. The Hebrew could have used other positional terms but chose these to echo royal and priestly positions.
Zechariah 4:6 employs a threefold structure: not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit. The Hebrew could have used a simple contrast but chose this emphatic form to stress the complete inadequacy of human resources.
Zechariah 4:7 uses הַר־הַגָּדוֹל (the great mountain) rather than מִכְשׁוֹל (obstacle) to emphasize the magnitude of opposition while simultaneously highlighting God’s greater power.
Zechariah 4:10 contrasts “day of small things” with the “seven eyes of יהוה,” showing how human perspective differs from divine viewpoint.

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Zechariah 4 Unique Insights

The vision’s structure reveals a fascinating chiastic pattern that emphasizes divine enablement at its center. The lampstand vision bookends the central message about the Spirit’s power, creating a literary structure that mirrors the theological truth: God’s power encompasses and enables all human activity.

Rabbinic tradition notes that this is one of only two places in the Tanakh where the word חֵן (grace) appears doubled. The other instance is in Genesis 6:8, connecting Noah’s finding grace to build the ark with Zerubbabel’s finding grace to build the Temple. Both structures represented God’s presence among His people and required supernatural enablement.

The early church father Ephrem the Syrian observed that the continuous flow of oil from the olive trees to the lampstand without human intervention prefigured the constant supply of the Holy Spirit in the Messianic age. This interpretation aligns with the Jewish understanding of the Messianic era being marked by direct divine provision rather than human effort.

The two olive trees have been traditionally interpreted as representing the dual offices of priest and king, which find their ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah who combines both roles. This interpretation gains support from the parallel vision in Revelation 11:4, where the two witnesses are described using similar imagery.

Zechariah 4 Connections to Yeshua

The central message of this chapter—divine enablement through the Spirit—finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah. Just as Zerubbabel was empowered to complete the Temple not by human might but by God’s Spirit, so too did Yeshua build the true Temple of His body (John 2:19-21) through the power of the Spirit.

The imagery of the lampstand and olive trees points to Yeshua as the Light of the World (John 8:12) and the source of the Spirit’s anointing. The continuous supply of oil represents the endless resource of the Holy Spirit that Yeshua promised to His followers (John 7:37-39). This connection becomes even more apparent in the book of Revelation, where Yeshua walks among the seven golden lampstands representing His churches.

Zechariah 4 Scriptural Echoes

This vision resonates deeply with both earlier and later Scripture. The golden lampstand recalls the Temple menorah (Exodus 25:31-40), symbolizing Israel’s role as a light to the nations. This theme is developed further in Isaiah 49:6, where the Servant of יהוה becomes this light.

The emphasis on the Spirit’s power echoes the creation narrative (Genesis 1:2) and finds fulfillment in the New Covenant promise of Ezekiel 36:27. The theme of mountains becoming plains before God’s chosen leader recalls Isaiah 40:4 and points forward to Matthew 17:20.

Zechariah 4 Devotional

This chapter offers profound encouragement for believers facing seemingly impossible tasks. The central message—”Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit”—reminds us that our adequacy comes from God alone. When we feel overwhelmed by life’s mountains, we can take comfort in knowing that God specializes in leveling obstacles before those who trust in Him.

The vision challenges us to examine our dependence on human resources versus divine enablement. Are we trying to accomplish God’s work through our own strength, or are we allowing His Spirit to work through us? The continuous flow of oil reminds us that God’s supply is endless when we remain connected to Him.

Did You Know

The golden lampstand in this vision differs from the Temple menorah by having a bowl on top and 49 (7×7) spouts, suggesting complete divine perfection.
The phrase “these seven” appears three times in the chapter, creating a numerical pattern that Jewish scholars associate with divine completion.
Archaeological discoveries from this period show that olive oil production was indeed crucial in post-exilic Judah, making this imagery particularly relevant to the original audience.
The Hebrew word for “plummet” in verse 10 literally means “stone of tin,” referring to a builder’s tool that would have been familiar to those reconstructing the Temple.
The double “grace, grace” cry in Hebrew creates a rare grammatical construction called an absolute infinitive, emphasizing the completeness of God’s favor.
The term “anointed ones” literally means “sons of oil,” creating a wordplay with the vision’s olive imagery.
The mountain becoming a plain in verse 7 may reference actual topographical changes made during Temple reconstruction.
The seven eyes mentioned connect to ancient Near Eastern royal imagery where kings had observers throughout their kingdoms.

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