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New Living Translation

Zechariah 4:14

Then he said to me, "They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth."

Bible Study Resources

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Oil;   Olive;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Messiah;   Oil;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Olive-Tree;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Anoint;   Oil;   Holman Bible Dictionary - High Priest;   Jeshua;   Messiah;   Zechariah, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Priests and Levites;   Zerubbabel;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Anointing;   Olive, Olive Tree;   Zechariah, Prophecy of;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Oil;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Hearth;   Priest, High;   Zechariah, Book of;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Anointing;   Caslari, Israel ben Joseph Halevi;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for January 9;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
So he said, "They represent the two men chosen to serve the Lord of the whole world."
New American Standard Bible
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth."
New Century Version
So he said, "They are symbols of the two who have been appointed to serve the Lord of all the earth."
Update Bible Version
Then he said, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Amplified Bible
Then he said, "These are the two sons of fresh oil [Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince of Judah] who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth [as His anointed ones]."
English Standard Version
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
World English Bible
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y seide, No, my lord. And he seide, These ben twei sones of oile of schynyng, whiche stonden nyy to the lordli gouernour of al erthe.
English Revised Version
Then said he, These are the two sons of oil, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Berean Standard Bible
So he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth."
Contemporary English Version
Then he told me, "These branches are the two chosen leaders who stand beside the Lord of all the earth."
American Standard Version
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Bible in Basic English
And he said, These are the two sons of oil, whose place is by the Lord of all the earth.
Complete Jewish Bible
He said, "Those are the two who have been anointed with oil; they are standing with the Lord of all the land."
Darby Translation
And he said, These are the two sons of oil, that stand before the Lord of the whole earth.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then said he: 'These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.'
King James Version (1611)
Then said he; These are the two annointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
New Life Bible
Then he said, "These are the two who are set apart to serve the Lord of All the earth."
New Revised Standard
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then said he, These are the two oliue branches, that stand with the ruler of the whole earth.
George Lamsa Translation
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones who stand by the LORD of the whole earth.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said he, These, are the two Anointed Ones, - who stand near the Lord of all the earth.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: These are two sons of oil who stand before the Lord of the whole earth.
Revised Standard Version
Then he said, "These are the two anointed who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then said he: These are the two oliue braunches, that stand with the ruler of the whole earth.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he said, These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Good News Translation
Then he said, "These are the two men whom God has chosen and anointed to serve him, the Lord of the whole earth." The angel told me to give Zerubbabel this message from the Lord : "You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by my spirit. Obstacles as great as mountains will disappear before you. You will rebuild the Temple, and as you put the last stone in place, the people will shout, ‘Beautiful, beautiful!'" Another message came to me from the Lord . He said, "Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of the Temple, and he will finish the building. When this happens, my people will know that it is I who sent you to them. They are disappointed because so little progress is being made. But they will see Zerubbabel continuing to build the Temple, and they will be glad."
Christian Standard Bible®
“These are the two anointed ones,” he said, “who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Hebrew Names Version
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole eretz."
King James Version
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Lexham English Bible
And he said, "These are the two anointed ones standing by the Lord of the whole earth."
Literal Translation
And he said, These are the two sons of fresh oil who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, `These [are] the two sons of the oil, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.'
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then sayde he: These are the two olyue braunches, that stonde before the ruler of the whole earth.
THE MESSAGE
He said, "These are the two who stand beside the Master of the whole earth and supply golden lamp oil worldwide."
New English Translation
So he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
New King James Version
So he said, "These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth."
Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of all the earth."

Contextual Overview

11 Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand, 12 and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?" 13 "Don't you know?" he asked. "No, my lord," I replied. 14 Then he said to me, "They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

These: Zechariah 6:13, Exodus 29:7, Exodus 40:15, Leviticus 8:12, 1 Samuel 10:1, 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Samuel 16:12, 1 Samuel 16:13, Psalms 2:6, *marg. Psalms 89:20, Psalms 110:4, Isaiah 61:1-3, Daniel 9:24-26, Haggai 1:1-12, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 1:9, Hebrews 7:1, Hebrews 7:2, Revelation 11:4

anointed ones: Heb. sons of oil, Isaiah 5:1,*marg.

that: Zechariah 3:1-7, Zechariah 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:8, 1 Kings 17:1, Jeremiah 49:19, Luke 1:19

the Lord: Joshua 3:11, Joshua 3:13, Isaiah 54:5, Micah 4:13

Reciprocal: Ezra 5:2 - the prophets Ezra 6:14 - through Psalms 83:18 - the most Psalms 97:5 - the Lord of Zechariah 3:7 - I will Zechariah 4:3 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 4:5
but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
Genesis 4:6
"Why are you so angry?" the Lord asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected?
Genesis 4:11
Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother's blood.
Genesis 4:12
No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth."
Genesis 4:13
Cain replied to the Lord , "My punishment is too great for me to bear!
Genesis 4:14
You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!"
Genesis 4:15
The Lord replied, "No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you." Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him.
Genesis 4:16
So Cain left the Lord 's presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Genesis 4:20
Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the first of those who raise livestock and live in tents.
Genesis 4:24
If someone who kills Cain is punished seven times, then the one who kills me will be punished seventy-seven times!"

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones,.... Or "sons of oil" t. Some think the gifts and graces of the Spirit are meant, which come from the God of all grace, remain with Christ, are given freely by him to the sons of God, and are always for the service of the church, and sufficient for it; others, Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. Christ is the anointed One, or son of oil, being anointed with the Holy Ghost to the office of Prophet, Priest, and King; and with which oil he has supplied his candlestick, the church, in all ages. The Holy Spirit is the oil of gladness, and that anointing which teacheth all things. And this is the sense of Capellus, as has been observed on Zechariah 4:2. And the learned and judicious Pemble makes a "query" of it, whether Christ and the Comforter; or Christ in his two natures; or Christ in his two offices of King and Priest of his church; or how else the words are to be understood: and this was the sense of Origen long ago, though censured by Jerom; it may be the rather, because he interprets the candlestick of the Father. But these epithets, "anointed ones", and "sons of oil", are very suitable to them; the one being called the Messiah, or anointed; and the other the unction, and the oil of gladness: and indeed, if by the golden oil emptied out of them is meant the grace of God, as it frequently signifies in Scripture, no other can be meant; since they are the inexhaustible fountain of all grace and gifts to the church in all ages, whereby it is supplied and supported; and may be said to "stand before the Lord of the whole earth", God the Father; who does not immediately by himself administer to the church, but by Christ the Head of it; and Christ communicates by his Spirit, whom he sends from himself, and from the Father: and the rather they may be thought to be meant, since the ministers of the word seem to be designed by the seven lamps which receive the oil, or gifts and graces of the Spirit, fitting them for their work, from the bowl on the top of the candlestick, which is supplied with it from these two olive trees; and therefore must be distinct from them, or otherwise they will be said to be supplied from themselves: though, whereas both Christ and the Spirit communicate by the word and the ordinances, administered by the faithful dispensers of the word; hence those witnesses of Christ, in all ages, may with propriety enough be called two anointed ones, and "the two olive trees", as they are in Revelation 11:4 where there is a plain allusion to this passage. The Targum renders the words, "these are the two sons of princes", or "great men". Some Jewish writers interpret them of their two Messiahs, Messiah ben Joseph, and Messiah ben David u. Some interpreters understand by them Enoch and Elias; others Peter and Paul; others, better, with Kimchi and Ben Melech, Joshua and Zerubbabel, the one anointed for the priesthood, and the other for the kingdom; of which two offices Jarchi interprets them; and others the two churches, Jewish and Christian.

That stand by the Lord of the whole earth; the Creator and Governor of the universe: ministers of the word are on his side, abide by his truths and ordinances, and are faithful to his cause and interest: or, "before the Lord of the whole earth" w; they are his ministers, and serve him; they "stand", as it becomes them, which shows their work is not done; and that it is the Lord's work they are engaged in; and that they continue and persevere in it: likewise it shows that they are under his eye, notice, dispose, care, and protection; that they are in his favour, and enjoy his presence. How this may be applied to the two divine Persons standing by or before God the Father has been before observed, and to be understood of them as in their office capacity.

t בני היצהר "filii olei", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Tigurine version, Vatablus, Cocceius, Burkius. u Tzeror Hammor, fol. 114. 3. w על אדון "super Dominum", Montanus.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

These are the two sons of oil - Probably not as themselves anointed, (for another word is used for this. Which stand by the Lord of the whole earth, as His servants and ministers. The candlestick is almost authoritatively interpreted for us, by the adoption of the symbol in the Revelation, where our Lord is exhibited “as walking in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks” Revelation 1:13; Revelation 2:1, and, it is said, “the seven candlesticks are the seven Churches” Revelation 1:20; and our Lord says to the Apostles, on whom He founded the Church; “Ye are the light of the world: men light a candle, and put it on a candlestick, and it giveth light to them that are in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15, compare Philippians 2:15). Cyril: “The golden candlestick is the Church, as being honored in the world, most bright in virtues, raised on high exceedingly by the doctrines of the true knowledge of God. But there are seven lamps, having light, not of their own, but brought to them from without, and nourished by the supplies through the olive tree. These signify the holy apostles, evangelists, and those who, each in their season, were teachers of the churches, receiving, like lamps, into their mind and heart the illumination from Christ, which is nourished by the supplies of the Spirit, casting forth light to those who are in the house.”

Theodoret: “The pipes of the lamps, which pour in the oil, signify the unstinted prodigality of the loving-kindness of God to man.” The most difficult of explanation (as is plain from the variety of interpretations) is this last symbol of the spikes of the olive-tree, through whom flows the oil of the Holy Spirit to the candlesticks, and which yet represent created beings, ministers, and servants of God. Perhaps it represents that, in the church, grace is ministered through men, as Paul says, “Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastor’s and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ - that we - may grow up into Him in all things which is the Head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” Ephesians 4:7-8, Ephesians 4:11-12, Ephesians 4:14-16.

What Paul expresses by “all the body, having nourishment ministered and being knit together by joints and bands, from the Head, and so increasing with the increase of God” Colossians 2:19, (as he elsewhere speaks of “the ministration of the Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:8; “he that ministereth to you the Spirit” Galatians 3:5) “that” Zechariah may express by the oil being poured, through the living tubes, the bowl, the sevenfold pipes, into the lamps, which shone with the God-given light. So Paul speaks again, of “having this treasure in earthen vessels” 2 Corinthians 4:7. Joshua and Zerubbabel, as representatives of the priestly and royal offices, shadowed forth what was united in Christ, and so, in their several offices, they might be included in the symbol of the olive-tree, they could not exhaust it; for people who, having served God in their generation, were to pass away, could not be alone intended in a vision, which describes the abiding being of the church.

Osorius: “Christ is both all-holy Priest and supreme eternal King. In both ways He supplies to us the light which He brought. For from Him piety and righteousness flow unceasingly to the Church, that it never lack the heavenly light. The oil is expressed into tubes; thence passed through pipes into the vessel which contains the lamps; to designate the various suppliers of light, which, the nearer they are to the effluence of the oil, the more they resemble Him by whom they are appointed to so divine an office. The seven lamps are the manifold Churches, distinct in place but most closely bound together by the consent of one faith and by the bond of charity. For although the Church is one, yet it is distinct according to the manifold variety of nations. They are said to be seven, both on account of the seven gifts of the Spirit, mentioned by Isaiah, and because in the Numbers 3:0 and 4, is contained an emblem of piety and righteousness. There are 7 pipes to each lamp, to signify that each has need of many instruments, that the light may be maintained longer. For as there are diversities of gifts, so must there needs be the functions of many ministers, to complete one work. But the lamps are set in a circle, that the oil of one may flow more readily into others, and it, in turn, may receive from others their superabundance, to set forth the communion of love and the indissoluble community of faith.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Zechariah 4:14. These are the two anointed ones — Joshua, the high priest; and Zerubbabel the governor. These are anointed-appointed by the Lord; and stand by him, the one to minister in the ecclesiastical, the other in the civil state.

Probably we may not be able to comprehend the whole of this hieroglyphical vision; for even the interpreting angel does not choose to answer the questions relative to this, which were put to him by the prophet. See Zechariah 4:4; Zechariah 4:11. But though the particulars are hard to be understood; yet the general meaning has, I hope, been given.


 
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