Zechariah 4

This chapter contains the fifth of the "night visions" of Zechariah, which extend from Zechariah 1:7 to 6:8. In the previous chapter, Zechariah 3, the high priest Joshua is stripped of his filthy garments and clothed in new ones. This chapter follows with a message to Zerubbabel, the governor leading the rebuilding of the temple.

Outline

• Verses 1–5: The angel who talked with Zechariah wakes him. Zechariah sees a lampstand of pure gold with a bowl on its top, seven lamps, and seven pipes, and two olive trees standing on either side of it. He asks what these things mean, but the angel does not explain at once.
• Verses 6–7: The word of the LORD to Zerubbabel. The work will be accomplished not by might or power but by the Spirit of the LORD; the great mountain will become a plain, and when the headstone is brought forth, the people will shout, "Grace, grace unto it."
• Verses 8–10: Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of the temple, and his hands will also finish it. No one is to despise the day of small things, and the seven lamps are interpreted as the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
• Verses 11–14: Zechariah asks repeatedly about the meaning of the two olive trees and the two branches that pour out golden oil. The angel answers that they are "the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Key Verses

• Zechariah 4:6: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." This is the most widely quoted verse of the chapter, a confession that God's work is accomplished not by human strength but by the Spirit of God. The Korean Revised Version reads sin ("spirit"), which the New Korean Revised Version renders yeong ("Spirit").
• Zechariah 4:10: "For who hath despised the day of small things?" This is an encouragement that God values the seemingly humble beginnings of the rebuilding.
• Zechariah 4:14: "These are the two anointed ones." Interpreters have long debated whom the two olive trees represent.

People and Places

• Zechariah: The prophet who saw and recorded the visions.
• Zerubbabel: A descendant of David who, as governor of Judah after the return from exile, led the rebuilding of the temple.
• Joshua the high priest: He is not named in this chapter, but he appears in chapter 3 and is frequently mentioned in interpretations of the two olive trees.
• The temple: The temple in Jerusalem, which was being rebuilt after its destruction by Babylon.

Points for Reflection

• From the second half of verse 6 through the first half of verse 10, a message to Zerubbabel appears to interrupt the explanation of the lampstand vision. Some scholars regard this as a separately transmitted oracle (a word from God) that was woven together with the vision.
• The phrase "anointed ones" in verse 14 is literally "sons of oil" in Hebrew. It is commonly interpreted as referring to Zerubbabel and Joshua, representing the royal office (governance) and the priestly office (worship). In Christian tradition, the passage has also been read as pointing ahead to Christ, who unites in himself the offices of king and high priest.
• In the New Testament, Revelation 11:4 borrows the imagery of this chapter, calling the two witnesses "the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks." Interpretations also differ as to who the two witnesses are. The "seven eyes" of Revelation 5:6 are likewise read in connection with verse 10.
• In Korea, Park Tae-sun, founder of Cheonbugyo (formerly the Jeondogwan), is known to have claimed to be the "olive tree" of this passage. Major denominations have criticized this as an arbitrary interpretation of Scripture.
• In Judaism, part of this chapter is reportedly read in the synagogue on the Sabbath of Hanukkah.

In the Korean Church

Verse 6 is frequently quoted in sermons for church planting, sanctuary construction, and revival meetings. "The day of small things" (verse 10) is used to encourage church plants and small congregations, and the headstone and the cry "Grace, grace" (verse 7) are often read at groundbreaking and cornerstone-laying services.