zechariah-4:1-7-asv

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:6

This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel. The Lord's message unto Zerubbabel is the purport of the vision, viz. that his work will be accomplished through the grace of God alone. Not by might. Septuagint, "not by great might;" but the Vulgate, "not by an army." The word is almost synonymous with the following, translated power ; and the two together mean that the effect is to be produced, not by any human means, however potent. Doubtless Zerubbabel was dispirited when he thought how... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:6

The secret of power. Power is indispensable. It is not in numbers, or organization, or method. These are good, hut not enough. It is not of man, though it is by man. Must look higher. It is of God. Life is from life. The highest life can only come from the highest life. "Not by might," etc. Apply to— I. THE MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH . Talent, culture, wide sympathies, zeal and eloquence, not enough. Even truth not enough. Need more. "My Spirit." There must be a right relation to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:7

Who art thou, O great mountain? The "mountain" is a figurative expression to denote the various difficulties that stood in Zerubbabel's way and impeded the carrying out of his great design. Before Zerubbabel. The Vulgate affixes these words to the former part of the clause, but the accent is in favour of the Authorized Version. Thou Shall become a plain; literally, into a plain! A command. All obstacles shall be removed (comp. Isaiah 40:4 ; Isaiah 49:11 ; Matthew 17:20 ; Luke... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:7-10

Encouragement to Christian workers. I. THOUGH THE WORK BE DERIDED , IT IS GOD 'S WORK . Therefore we are sure it is right and good. We can throw ourselves into it with all our heart. Patience. What is of God cannot fail. II. THOUGH THE DIFFICULTIES BE GREAT , THEY ABE CAPABLE OF BEING OVERCOME , Difficulties are a test. They show what spirit we are of. They separate the chaff from the wheat. Remember "Formality" and "Hypocrisy" in the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:1

The angel came again - The angel (as before Zechariah 2:3) had gone forth to receive some fresh instruction from a higher angel or from God.And awakened me - As a man is awakened out of sleep. Zechariah, overwhelmed by the greatness of the visions, must have sunk down in a sort of stupor, as after the vision of the ram and he-goat, as Gabriel was speaking with him, Daniel says, “I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground, and he touched me and set me upright” Daniel 8:18; and again at... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:2

And I said, I have looked and behold a candlestick all of gold - The candlestick is the seven-branched candlestick of the tabernacle Exodus 25:31, but with variations purposely introduced to symbolize the fuller and more constant supply of the oil, itself the symbol of God’s Holy Spirit, who:“Enables with perpetual lightThe dullness of our blinded sight.”The first variation is “her bowl on the top of the candlestick,” containing the oil; then (as dependent on this) the pipes to derive the oil... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:4

Osorius: “Awakened from his state of sleep, even thus the prophet seemed slowly to understand what was shown him. He asks then of the instructing angel. The angel, almost amazed, asks if he knowns it not, and when he plainly declares his ignorance, makes clear the enigma of the vision.” read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:6

This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel - Osorius: “As if he were to say, the meaning of the vision and scope of what has been exhibited is, ‘God’s doings have almost cried aloud to Zerubbabel that all these visions shall come to an end in their time, not effected by human might nor in fleshly strength, but in power of the Holy Spirit and through Divine Will.’ For the Only Begotten became Man as we are, but He warred not after the flesh, to set up the Church as a candlestick to the world,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:7

Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt be a plain - The words have the character of a sacred proverb; “Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased” Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14. Isaiah prophesies the victories of the Gospel in the same imagery, “Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain” Isaiah 40:4. And in the New Testament Paul says, “The weapons of our warfare are not... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 4:1-3

Zechariah 4:1-3. And the angel came again, and waked me This seems to indicate, that the prophet’s attention was very deeply engaged by the foregoing vision; that all the powers of his mind were wholly engrossed by it; so that he had even fallen into a kind of trance, or ecstasy, when he was roused again by the angel, to attend to what follows. And said unto me, What seest thou? Thus the angel still further excites his attention. And I said, Behold a candlestick of gold This represented... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:7-10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 4:1-3

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