Zechariah 4:8-10

8 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
9 1"The hands of 2Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also 3complete it. 4Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
10 5For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see 6the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. 7"These seven 8are the eyes of the LORD, 9which range through the whole earth."

Zechariah 4:8-10 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.

Cross References 9

  • 1. [Ezra 3:10]
  • 2. [See ver. 6 above]
  • 3. [Zechariah 1:16]
  • 4. See Zechariah 2:9
  • 5. [Haggai 2:3]
  • 6. [Zechariah 1:16]
  • 7. Zechariah 3:9
  • 8. Zechariah 3:9
  • 9. 2 Chronicles 16:9; [Proverbs 15:3]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.