Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 4

Verse 1

Zec 4:1. Strong says the word for looked has both a literal and figurative meaning, which accounts for the way it is used in this place. It means that the attention of Zechariah was aroused as he had been musing like being in a day dream over the profound revelations of the preceding chapter.

Verse 2

Zec 4:2. The revelations of the angel were continued in the form of a vision. The things Zechariah saw pertained to the service of the tabernacle under the Mosaic institution of government and religion (Exo 25:31-40).

Verse 3

Zec 4:3. The oil that was used in the lamps was olive oil. hence the need for the olive trees which, were literal in the first application.

Verse 4

Zec 4:4. Zechariah asked for an interpretation of the olive trees.

Verse 5

Zec 4:5. These questions might seem to be unnecessary, but they evidently were asked by way of focusing the attention of the prophet, and also to indicate an assurance that he would be given the desired information.

Verse 6

Zec 4:6. The trees are explained to represent the spirit of the Lord. That was because spiritual light comes from that, source, even as oil furnishes temporal light.

Verse 7

Zec 4:7. Mountain is used figuratively to represent a supposed great difficulty. Such a condition was apparent when the Jews got back from the captivity, and the local enemies tried to make that mountain still higher. But that condition of apparent distress was to be overcome, which is symbolized by the act of converting a mountain into a plain. Zerubbabel is the one who is meant that would accomplish the feat because he was the man who was chosen to lead in the work of reconstruction (Ezr 2:2 Ezr 3:2).

Verse 8

Zec 4:8. Such language as this short verse Is used frequently in order to keep the impression before the reader that the whole book is inspired of God.

Verse 9

Zec 4:9. After the work on the temple was started it was hindered and finally stopped by the enemies (Ezr 4:1 Ezr 4:24). But the Lord assured the people that, it would yet be completed which was fulfilled according to Ezr 6:15.

Verse 10

Zec 4:10. The work of rebuilding the temple had a comparatively small beginning. It was so much so that some of the older citizens wept when they viewed it and remeroberd the original temple (Ezr 3:12; Hag 2:3). However, they should not have allowed it to discourage them. They should not have despised (belittled) the small beginning of the work because they had the assurance of the Lord that it would go unto complete restoration of their service. Seven eyes is explained at Zec 3:9.

Verse 11

Zec 4:11. Zechariah repeats the inquiry that was made in verse 4, but the repetition of the Inquiry is prompted by something more that he sees which will be slated In the next verse.

Verse 12

Zec 4:12. The additional detail the prophet saw was the pair of branches through which the oil was poured into tiie bowls ot the lamps. It indicates the idea of the Lord’s doing things by various agencies.

Verse 13

Zec 4:13. The prophet still is unaware of the meaning of the vision.

Verse 14

Zec 4:14, Two anointed ones is rendered "sons of oil" in the margin. All along through the vision we have seen oil used to typify spiritual light. We have likewise observed in more than one instance that the writer would pass from fleshly to spiritual Israel. God has given the world just two organized religions, the Mosaic and the Christian, each of which has furnished light to the people of the earth. Accordingly, each of these religions has had its own law guidance, its own means of furnishing spiritual light for mankind. Since that light has been figurized in this vision by olive trees and their fruit, the conclusion is plain that the tiro anointed ones are the Old and the New Testament,