Zechariah 4:14 NIV

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 4:14

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 4:14

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 4:14

Verse 14 I come now to the answers of the angel, These are the two sons of oil. Some understand by the two sons of oil a king and a priest; but this is by no means suitable. There is no doubt but that he calls the perpetual flowing the two sons of oil; as though he had said, that it could not possibly be that the grace of God should ever fail to preserve the Church, as God possesses all abundance, and bids his grace so to flow, as that its abundance should never be diminished. He therefore... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:1-14

§ 7. The fifth vision: the golden candlestick. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:8-14

The Church sustained. "Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house," etc. These verses continue the metaphors of the previous portion, but in the opposite order. Zechariah 4:1-7 begin with the "olive trees" and end with the "house;" Zechariah 4:8-14 begin with the "house" ( Zechariah 4:8-10 ) and conclude with the "trees." We may look on this latter passage, therefore, as a kind of additional message ("moreover," ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:11-14

The olive trees and the candlesticks: model religious teachers. "Then answered I, and said unto him," etc. This is not another vision, but an explanation of the one recorded in the preceding verses. The explanation is that the two branches of the olive tree which, by means of the two tubes of gold empty their oil, is that they represented "two anointed ones," or sons of oil. Perhaps Joshua and Zerubbabel are particularly referred to. "Because," says Henderson, "when installed into office... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:14

The two anointed ones; literally, the two sons of oil; so the Revised Version; Vulgate, filii olei; Septuagint, υἱοὶ τῆς πιότητος , "sons of fatness" (comp. Isaiah 5:1 ). By them are intended the two powers, the regal and the sacerdotal, through which God's help and protection are dispensed to the theocracy. Oil was used in appointing to both these offices (comp. Le 21:10; 1 Samuel 10:1 ). The expression, "son of," in many cases denotes a quality or property, like "son of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:14

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 4:11-14

Zechariah 4:11-14. Then answered I Or, Then spake I, the Hebrew word ענה being not only used of giving an answer to a question, but likewise of beginning or continuing a discourse. What are these two olive-trees, &c. The prophet had learned the meaning of the candlestick and its lamps, and now wants to know what the two olive-trees signify; and no answer being given to his question, he immediately proceeds to ask another; and in the answer given to it he acquiesces. Observe, reader,... read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 4:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 4:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:8-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:11-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 4:14

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 4:11-14

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