Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:4
4. The prophet is instructed in the truths meant, that we may read them with the greater reverence and attention [CALVIN]. read more
Zechariah-4:1-7-asv
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:5
5. Knowest thou not, c.—Not a reproof of his ignorance, but a stimulus to reflection on the mystery. No, my lord—ingenious confession of ignorance as a little child he casts himself for instruction at the feet of the Lord. read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:6
6. Not by might . . . but by my Spirit—As the lamps burned continually, supplied with oil from a source (the living olive trees) which man did not make, so Zerubbabel need not be disheartened because of his weakness; for as the work is one to be effected by the living Spirit (compare :-) of God, man's weakness is no obstacle, for God's might will perfect strength out of weakness (Hosea 1:7; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 11:34). "Might and power" express human strength of every description,... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:7
7. All mountain-like obstacles (Isaiah 40:4; Isaiah 49:11) in Zerubbabel's way shall be removed, so that the crowning top-stone shall be put on, and the completion of the work be acknowledged as wholly of "grace." Antitypically, the antichristian last foe of Israel, the obstacle preventing her establishment in Palestine, about to be crushed before Messiah, is probably meant (Jeremiah 51:25; Daniel 2:34; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 21:44). bring forth the head-stone—Primarily, bring it forth from the... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Zechariah 4:1
Zechariah’s guiding angel roused the prophet from his visionary slumber. Evidently when the last scene of his vision ended Zechariah remained in a sleep-like condition. Even in an ecstatic state human beings remain dull and obtuse to divine revelation and must receive supernatural enlightenment. read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Zechariah 4:1-5
1. The vision 4:1-5 read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Zechariah 4:2-3
The angel asked the prophet what he saw, and Zechariah replied that he saw a golden lampstand with a bowl above it. Lampstands generally, and the lampstands in the tabernacle and temple particularly, held removable lamps (Exodus 25:31; 1 Kings 7:49). Their purpose was to support these light-bearers. Symbolically a lampstand represents what supports whatever bears light (cf. Matthew 5:16; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:5). This seems to be the figure in view in 1 Timothy 3:15 where Paul called... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Zechariah 4:4-5
Zechariah asked the angel for an explanation of what he saw. The angel asked if he did not understand what these things represented, but Zechariah said he did not (cf. Zechariah 4:13). read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Zechariah 4:6
The angel announced a word of explanation from Yahweh that Zechariah was to pass on to Zerubbabel, the descendant of David who became the leader of the first group of returnees from exile. [Note: See David L. Petersen, "Zerubbabel and Jerusalem Temple Reconstruction," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 36:3 (1974):366-72.] He was to tell him, "not by might [Heb. hayil] nor by power [Heb. koah] but by the Spirit [Heb. ruah] of Yahweh of hosts.""This principle is an elliptical sentence: ’Not by might,... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:3
3. two olive trees—supplying oil to the bowl. The Holy Ghost, who fills with His fulness Messiah (the anointed: the "bowl"), from whom flow supplies of grace to the Church. by it—literally, "upon it," that is, growing so as somewhat to overtop it. For the explanation of the "two" see Zechariah 4:12; Zechariah 4:14. read more