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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 4:11-14

Enough is said to Zechariah to encourage him, and to enable him to encourage others, with reference to the good work of building the temple which they were now about, and that was the principal intention of the vision he saw; but still he is inquisitive about the particulars, which we will ascribe, not to any vain curiosity, but to the value he had for divine discoveries and the pleasure he took in acquainting himself with them. Those that know much of the things of God cannot but have a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 4:11

Then answered I, and said unto him ,.... To the angel that talked with him, Zechariah 4:1 , What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick, and upon the left side thereof ? in Zechariah 4:2 they are said to be on each side of the bowl. The mystery of the candlestick being explained to Zechariah by the angel, the prophet desires to know the meaning of the two olive trees that were on the right and left of it, one on one side, and the other on the other... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 4:12

And I answered again, and said unto him ,.... Before he could have an answer to the former question, he puts the following, as being of the same import: What be these two olive branches ; which grew upon the olive trees, and were nearest to the candlestick, and the pipes that were to the lamps: these, in Zechariah 4:14 , are interpreted of the two anointed ones, or sons of oil, and may design the ministers of the word, if, by the "golden oil" after mentioned, is meant the Gospel;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 4:13

And he answered me, and said ,.... That is, the angel answered to the prophet's questions: Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord ; See Gill on Zechariah 4:5 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 4:14

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones ,.... Or "sons of oil" F20 בני היצהר "filii olei", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Tigurine version, Vatablus, Cocceius, Burkius. . 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 4:11

What are these two olive trees - See on Zechariah 4:2 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 4:12

What be these two olive branches - That is, two boughs laden with branches of olive berries. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 4:11

Verse 11 The same vision is again related, at least one similar to that which we have just explained; only there is given a fuller explanation, for the Prophet says that he asked the angel what was meant by the two olive-trees which stood, one on the right, the other on the left side of the candlestick, and also by the two pipes of the olive-trees. Some render שבלים, shebelim, ears of corn, thinking that the branches of the olive-trees are compared to ears of corn, because they were full and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 4:12

Verse 12 I have said that there is some difference in the visions though the angel relates hardly anything new, except respecting the flowing and the tubes; but as a new explanation is given, Zechariah no doubt more fully considered what he had slightly looked on before. The more attentive then to the vision the Prophet became, the more confirmed he was; for God showed to him now what he had not sufficiently observed before, namely, that there were pipes or tubes through which the oil flowed... read more

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