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New Living Translation

Zechariah 4:10

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - God Continued...;   Olive;   Plummet;   Seven;   Temple;   Zerubbabel;   Scofield Reference Index - Holy Spirit;   Thompson Chain Reference - Blindness-Vision;   Instrumentalities, Weak;   Plummet;   Power;   Small Things God Uses;   Vision;   Weak;   Weakness-Power;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Earth, the;   Temple, the Second;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Candlestick;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Temple;   Zerubbabel;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Messiah;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Sheshbazzar;   Temple, the Second;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Nicodemus;   Tabernacles, Feast of;   Tin;   Zechariah, the Book of;   Zerubbabel;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Messiah;   Zechariah, Book of;   Zerubbabel;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Arts and Crafts;   Plumbline, Plummet;   Poverty;   Zechariah, Book of;   Zerubbabel;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Eyes;   Plumbline, Plummet;   Zechariah, Prophecy of;   Zerubbabel ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Zerubbabel;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Tin;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Eye;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hearth;   Lead;   Tools;   Zechariah, Book of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Angelology;   Astronomy;   Corner-Stone;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for June 18;   Every Day Light - Devotion for January 9;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
People will not be ashamed of the small beginnings, and they will be very happy when they see Zerubbabel with the plumb line, measuring and checking the finished building. Now the seven sides of the stone you saw represent the eyes of the Lord looking in every direction. They see everything on earth."
New American Standard Bible
"For who has shown contempt for the day of small things? But these seven will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—they are the eyes of the LORD roaming throughout the earth."
New Century Version
"The people should not think that small beginnings are unimportant. They will be happy when they see Zerubbabel with tools, building the Temple. "(These are the seven eyes of the Lord , which look back and forth across the earth.)"
Update Bible Version
For who has despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; [these are] the eyes of Yahweh, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Webster's Bible Translation
For 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.
Amplified Bible
"Who [with reason] despises the day of small things (beginnings)? For these seven [eyes] shall rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD which roam throughout the earth."
English Standard Version
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the Lord , which range through the whole earth."
World English Bible
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."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Who forsothe dispiside litle daies? and thei schulen be glad, and schulen se a stoon of tyn in the hond of Sorobabel. These ben seuene iyen of the Lord, that rennen aboute in to al erthe.
English Revised Version
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, even these seven, which are the eyes of the LORD; they run to and fro through the whole earth.
Berean Standard Bible
For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand."
Contemporary English Version
Those who have made fun of this day of small beginnings will celebrate when they see Zerubbabel holding this important stone. Those seven lamps represent my eyes—the eyes of the Lord —and they see everything on this earth.
American Standard Version
For who hath despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; these are the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Bible in Basic English
For who has had a poor opinion of the day of small things? for they will be glad when they see the weighted measuring-line in the hand of Zerubbabel. Then he said in answer to me, These seven lights are the eyes of the Lord which go quickly up and down through all the earth.
Complete Jewish Bible
For even someone who doesn't think much of a day when such minor events take place will rejoice at seeing the plumbline in the hand of Z'rubavel. So these seven are the eyes of Adonai that range about over all the earth."
Darby Translation
For who hath despised the day of small things? Yea, they shall rejoice [even] those seven—and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel: these are the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro in the whole earth.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
For who hath despised the day of small things? even they shall see with joy the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, even these seven, which are the eyes of the LORD, that run to and fro through the whole earth.'
King James Version (1611)
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall reioyce and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seuen: they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
New Life Bible
Who has hated the day of small things? Men will be glad when they see Zerubbabel building the walls of the Lord's house. These seven are the eyes of the Lord which travel over all the earth."
New Revised Standard
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the Lord , which range through the whole earth."
Geneva Bible (1587)
For who hath despised the day of the small thinges? but they shall reioyce, and shall see the stone of tinne in the hand of Zerubbabel: these seuen are the eyes of the Lord, which go thorow the whole world.
George Lamsa Translation
For who has despised the day of small things? For they shall look and shall see the plummet in the hands of Zerubbabel. These are the seven eyes of the LORD, which look over the whole earth.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For who hath despised the day of small things? Yet shall they rejoice, when they see the plummet-stone in the hand of Zerubbabel, - these seven! The eyes of Yahweh, they are - running to and fro throughout all the earth.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For who hath despised little days? and they shall rejoice, and shall see the tin plummet in the hand of Zorobabel. These are the seven eyes of the Lord, that run to and fro through the whole earth.
Revised Standard Version
For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerub'babel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth."
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For who hath despised the day of small thinges? they shall reioyce, and shall see the stone of tynne in the hande of Zorobabel: these seuen are the eyes of the lord, which go through ye whole worlde.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
For who has despised the small days? surely they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet of tin in the hand of Zorobabel: these are the seven eyes that look upon all the earth.
Good News Translation
The angel said to me, "The seven lamps are the seven eyes of the Lord , which see all over the earth."
Christian Standard Bible®
For who despises the day of small things? These seven eyes of the Lord, which scan throughout the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the ceremonial stone in Zerubbabel’s hand.”
Hebrew Names Version
Indeed, who despises the day of small things? For these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbavel. These are the eyes of the LORD, which run back and forth through the whole eretz."
King James Version
For 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.
Lexham English Bible
For whoever has despised the day of small things will rejoice and will see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel." These seven are the eyes of Yahweh which are ranging throughout the whole earth.
Literal Translation
For who has despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice and shall see the plummet stone in the hand of Zerubbabel. These seven are the eyes of Jehovah; they run to and fro through all the earth.
Young's Literal Translation
For 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.'
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For he that hath bene despysed a litle season, shal reioyce, whe he seyth the tynne weight in Zorobabels honde. The vij. eyes are the LORDES, which go thorow the hole worlde.
New English Translation
For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes will joyfully look on the tin tablet in Zerubbabel's hand. (These are the eyes of the Lord , which constantly range across the whole earth.)
New King James Version
For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth."
Legacy Standard Bible
For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of Yahweh which roam to and fro throughout the earth."

Contextual Overview

1 Then the angel who had been talking with me returned and woke me, as though I had been asleep. 2 "What do you see now?" he asked. I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl of oil on top of it. Around the bowl are seven lamps, each having seven spouts with wicks. 3 And I see two olive trees, one on each side of the bowl." 4 Then I asked the angel, "What are these, my lord? What do they mean?" 5 "Don't you know?" the angel asked. "No, my lord," I replied. 6 Then he said to me, "This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 7 Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel's way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!'" 8 Then another message came to me from the Lord : 9 "Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven's Armies has sent me. 10 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.)

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

despised: Ezra 3:12, Ezra 3:13, Nehemiah 4:2-4, Job 8:7, Proverbs 4:18, Daniel 2:34, Daniel 2:35, Hosea 6:3, Haggai 2:3, Matthew 13:31-33, 1 Corinthians 1:28, 1 Corinthians 1:29

for they: etc. or, since the seven eyes of the Lord shall rejoice, Isaiah 66:11, Isaiah 66:14, Luke 15:5-10, Luke 15:32

and shall: Amos 7:7, Amos 7:8

plummet: Heb. stone of tin

those: Zechariah 3:9, Revelation 8:2

they are: Zechariah 1:10, Zechariah 1:11, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Proverbs 15:3, Revelation 5:6

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 18:44 - a little cloud Ezra 3:10 - when the builders Ezra 5:16 - laid Job 28:24 - General Psalms 139:2 - knowest Ezekiel 1:14 - General Ezekiel 1:18 - full Amos 7:2 - for Zechariah 6:5 - go Matthew 13:32 - the least Matthew 18:10 - heed Romans 14:3 - despise 1 Peter 3:12 - the eyes Revelation 1:4 - from the

Cross-References

Genesis 3:13
Then the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."
Genesis 4:9
Afterward the Lord asked Cain, "Where is your brother? Where is Abel?" "I don't know," Cain responded. "Am I my brother's guardian?"
Genesis 4:10
But the Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground!
Genesis 9:5
"And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person's life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.
Genesis 18:20
So the Lord told Abraham, "I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant.
Exodus 3:7
Then the Lord told him, "I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.
Numbers 35:33
This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no sacrifice except the execution of the murderer can purify the land from murder.
Joshua 7:19
Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the Lord , the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don't hide it from me."
2 Kings 9:26
‘I solemnly swear that I will repay him here on this plot of land, says the Lord , for the murder of Naboth and his sons that I saw yesterday.' So throw him out on Naboth's property, just as the Lord said."
Job 16:18
"O earth, do not conceal my blood. Let it cry out on my behalf.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For who hath despised the day of small things?.... This literally refers to the building of the second temple, which was contemptible to the enemies of Judah, Sanballat, and others; and little in the eyes of many of the Jews themselves, who had seen the former temple; yet not in the eyes of the Lord of hosts, Ezra 3:12 and so the Targum paraphrases the words,

"for who is he that despiseth this day, because the building is small?''

but in the spiritual sense, to the building up of the church by conversion: the first work of conversion may be called day "of small things" to men; it may be called a "day", because a time of light into themselves, their sin and danger, and the way from it; the day of Christ's power upon the soul, in making it willing to quit all, and be saved by him; a season in which there is a display of the love, grace, and mercy of God unto it; and is the day of its espousals to Christ; and the day of salvation, of the knowledge and application of it; and of good tidings, of peace, pardons, and life, by Christ; and yet a day of "small things": not that what is done or made known are small things in themselves; but the light and knowledge which young converts have of themselves, of Christ, and of the doctrines of the Gospel, is but small; and so is their faith in Christ, but a mere venture on him, or a peradventure there may be salvation in him for them also; and their spiritual strength to exercise grace, do their duty, comfort from Christ, and in the promises and experience of the everlasting love of God, are but small at first; yet this day of small things is not to be "despised": it is not by Jehovah the Father, who regards their prayers, and does not despise them, though like the chatterings of a crane or swallow; he takes them by the hand, leads them, and teaches them to walk by faith, and proportions their duty to their strength, and their strength to their day: nor by Jesus Christ, who delights in their applications to him, and never rejects them; regards his buds in his vineyards, the beginnings of grace; the lambs in his flock, the weak and feeble; and the bruised reed, and smoking flax, who have but little light and grace: nor by the Holy Spirit, who helps their infirmities, makes intercession for them with groans unutterable; carries on the good work in them, and performs it till the day of Christ: nor should it be despised by men of greater light, faith, and experience; though it is no wonder they should be despised by carnal men; but even for them to despise one of the little ones that believe in him is resented by him. The interest of Christ in general is sometimes "a day of small things": it was so among the Jews at the time of Christ's ascension; and among the Gentiles, at the first preaching of the Gospel to them; and so it was at the time of the Reformation, and is so now: Jacob is small, but there is a day coming, called the great day of Jezreel, Hosea 1:11.

For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel [with] those seven: which may literally respect the building of the second temple; and that was expressed not only at the laying of the foundation, Ezra 3:11 but at the carrying of it on, and especially at the finishing of it, Ezra 6:14 when they saw the building rise under, the direction and encouragement of Zerubbabel, who is represented here as a master builder, with a "plummet" in his hand; which is an instrument used by masons and carpenters, to draw perpendicular lines with, in order to judge whether the building is upright; and is so called from a piece of lead fastened at the end of a cord or thread. In the Hebrew text it is called a "stone of tin" r; it may be, in those times, they used a stone for this purpose, cased with tin or lead. And, "those seven" with him may mean seven principal persons that joined with him, and assisted him in this work: though some interpret them of the seven lamps, and the seven pipes to them, in the candlestick; and the Targum explains them of "seven rows of stone", measured by the plummet: but rather they are to be understood of the eyes of the Lord, after mentioned, which were upon the Jews, in favour of the building, that it might not be caused to cease by their enemies, Ezra 5:5 though Cocceius chooses to render the words thus, "and those seven shall rejoice, and see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel"; and applies them to the seven churches of Asia, representatives of the whole church of Christ, in successive periods, rejoicing at the growing interest of Christ; and doubtless the mystical and spiritual sense of the words is, that it is matter of rejoicing to gracious souls when the spiritual building goes forward, under the direction and encouragement of Christ. The carrying on of the work of grace in particular believers affords joy and pleasure. This work is in the hands and under the care of Christ; it is curiously wrought and framed by line and rule, and goes on to perfection; which being observed by others, though it is the nature of grace to desire more, yet it does not envy the gifts and graces of others, but rejoices at them. The carrying on of the work of God in the church in general is an occasion of great joy to the saints; they rejoice that it is in such hands; not in the hands of ministers or magistrates, or even angels, but in the hands of Christ; who is so great, and has condescended to engage in it; has so much wisdom to manage and conduct it; is so faithful in everything he is concerned, and is so able to go through with it: they rejoice that it is carried on with so much exactness; that the whole building is so fitly framed and compacted together; everything in the church being done according to the plummet of God's everlasting love and eternal purposes, which plummet is with Christ, Romans 8:39 according to which persons are called by grace; the blessings of grace are bestowed on them; and they are put in such an office or place in the church: and as this building goes on by an increase of persons, or an addition of such as shall be saved; and by an increase of grace, gifts, and spiritual knowledge in them; it is matter of joy to angels and men, and especially to the ministers of the Gospel.

They [are] the eyes of the Lord, or "the eyes of the Lord are they" s,

which run to and fro through the whole earth; these design not the angels, who walk to and fro through the earth, Zechariah 6:7 nor the various gifts and graces of the Spirit, Revelation 5:6 but rather the infinite providence of God, signified by an "eye"; it being intuitive, omniscient, approbative of that which is good, and vindictive of that which is evil; loving to, and careful of, the saints, making them prosperous and successful: and by "seven eyes", to denote the perfection and fulness of it; and these being said to run to and fro throughout the earth, expresses the large compass of persons and things it reaches to: and it may he observed, that the carrying on of the work of God, both in particular persons, and in the church of God in general, is attended with and owing to his special providence, as well as grace.

r האבן הבדיל "lapidem stanni", Montanus, Drusius, Cocceius; "lapidem stanneum", V. L. Vatablus, Calvin; "lapidem stannum", i. e. "cum stanno", so Burkius. s עיני יהוה המה "oculi Jehovae sunt illi".

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The simplest rendering is marked by the accents. “For who hath despised the day of small things? and (that is, seeing that there have rejoiced and seen the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, these seven, the Eyes of the Lord, they are running to and fro in all the earth,” 1:e., since God hath with joy and good-pleasure beheld the progress of the work of Zerubbabel, who can despise the day of small things? The day of small things was not only that of the foundation of the temple, but of its continued building also. The old men indeed, “that had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes” Ezra 4:12. But while in progress too, Haggai asks, “Who is left among you that saw this house in its first glory? And how do ye see it now? is not in your eyes such as it, as nothing?” Haggai 2:3. But that temple was to see the day of great things, when “the later glory of this house shall be greater than the former, and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts” Haggai 2:9.

They are the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro - He uses almost the words of the prophet Hanani to Asa, “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 yet this assurance that God’s watchful providence is over the whole earth, betokens more than the restoration of the material temple, whose only hindrance could be the will of one man, Darius.

The day of small things - is especially God’s day, whose “strength is made perfect in weakness; who raised Joseph from the prison, David from the sheepfold, Daniel from slavery, and converted the world by the fishermen and the tentmaker, having Himself first become the Carpenter. “Wouldest thou be great? Become little.” “Whenever,” said Theresa, (Ribera, vita Ther. ap. Lap.), “I am to receive some singular grace, I first annihilate myself, sink into my own nothingness, so as to seem to myself to be nothing, be capable of nothing.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Zechariah 4:10. Who hath despised the day of small things? — The poverty, weakness, and unbefriended state of the Jews. It was said, "What do these feeble Jews?" "Will they build," c.? No. But God will build by them, and perfect his building too.

And shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel — He is master builder under God, the grand architect.

Those seven - are the eyes of the Lord — Either referring to his particular and especial providence or to those ministering spirits, whom he has employed in behalf of the Jews, to dispense the blessings of that providence. See the reading in the margin. (2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3; Zechariah 3:9)


 
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