Zechariah 4:11-14

11-14. The two olive trees are still a mystery to the prophet; he therefore asks his companion to explain their significance.

Answered See on Zechariah 1:10.

What are these two olive trees Said to be standing upon the right and upon the left of the candlestick; in Zechariah 4:3 they are located more precisely beside the oil holder, because their connection is primarily with it. On the trees the prophet sees two branches different from the rest, whose significance he does not grasp, so without waiting for a reply to his first question he addresses a second one to his companion.

R.V. gives a more accurate translation of Zechariah 4:12 b: “What are these two olive branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden oil out of themselves?”

What be these two olive branches Perhaps they were the only branches bearing fruit; at any rate, they must have been different from the rest, so that they attracted the prophet’s special attention. The word here translated”branches” is used elsewhere of ears of corn; it is probably selected on account of the shape of the branches.

Which are beside the two golden spouts (R.V.) The last word occurs only here in the Old Testament, and its meaning is uncertain; pipes (A.V.) is probably incorrect, a different word being used in Zechariah 4:2. It seems to denote the receptacle and channel which received the oil from the branches and transmitted it to the reservoir; perhaps funnel-like cups, one connected with each branch. Margin R.V. suggests a different translation, “which by means of the two golden spouts empty”; but the sense remains the same.

That empty the golden oil out of themselves If the marginal translation is correct the subject of the relative clause refers back to branches; if the reading embodied in the text is accepted it becomes uncertain whether the reference is to branches or to spouts; however, the uncertainty does not affect the sense. The expression “out of themselves,” which is literally “from above themselves,” would seem to favor spouts as subject; they receive the oil from the branches above. On the other hand, the grammatical form favors branches.

Golden oil Literally, gold. Not real gold, as some have supposed, but golden oil, so called because of its pure brightness; undoubtedly an intentional play upon words, golden spouts and golden oil.

Zechariah 4:13 is almost identical with Zechariah 4:5. The interpreting angel expresses astonishment that the prophet should fail to understand this part of the vision, but, when the prophet confesses ignorance, he supplies the explanation. 14.

The two anointed ones Literally, the two sons of the oil (compare Isaiah 5:1). The last word has the article in Hebrew, the well-known oil, namely, the oil used in official anointings (compare Leviticus 21:10; 1 Samuel 10:1). There can hardly be any doubt that the two branches symbolize Joshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the prince. If a distinction is made between the symbolic meaning of the two trees and that of the two branches, the trees may be said to symbolize the offices of high priest and civil ruler, the branches the occupants of the offices. However, such a distinction may not have been intended. The two trees had to be brought in to make possible the introduction of the two living branches. The oil is produced by a power behind the branches; in like manner, the two leaders are not the originators of the spirit’s power symbolized by the oil; it originates in Jehovah: they are only the channels through which the spirit manifests itself. Some have understood the two branches to signify the Jews and Gentiles respectively, or the believers among these two, or the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, or two angels, but these interpretations are unnatural.

That stand by the Lord of the whole earth Stand by goes back to the same Hebrew expression as stand above in Isaiah 6:2; it indicates an attitude of service, and the whole is equivalent to “who are the servants of the Lord of the whole earth.” The idea that in order to do this they are to be removed from earth into heavenly places, “near to God and beyond our ken,” is not implied; they are his servants while faithfully discharging the duties of their offices (compare Zechariah 3:7).