Zechariah 4
DortThe first vision, namely a golden candlestick, and two olive-trees by it, verse 1, &c which the angel applies to the holy ghost; by whose powerful operation Zerubbabel should perfect the building of the temple, 6, &c. Zacharia prayeth for a further explanation of this vision, and he obtains the same, 11, &c.
1. And the angel that spake with me, [Or, in me] came again: [for after the former vision he was departed for a time] and he weakened me, [for, the prophet was fallen as it were into a trance or fast asleep, upon the great amazement wrought in him by the forementioned visions, compare Daniel 8:17, 27 and 10.8.] as a man is wakened out of his sleep.
2. And he said unto me, what seest thou? And I said; I see, and behold, a candlestick all gold, and an oil cruse up on the head of it, and his seven lamps thereof; [or, that were a top it: to wit upon the candlestick. Compare Exodus 25:31.] those lamps had seven and seven pipes, [or, conveyances through which the oil past out of the cruse into the seven lamps, each lamp having its pipe for that purse] which were above her head. [his. Viz. the candlesticks; head, for top, upper part.]
3. And two olive-trees besides it [Or, by, or, on it] one at the right side of the olive-bowl, and one at the left side thereof.
4. And I answered, [i.e. I spake again, and so also below verse 11.12 and elsewhere] and said to the angel, that spake with me, [or, in me, as also verse 5. se above chapter 11 on verse 4.] saying, my Lord, what are these things? [as above chapter 1.9.]
5. Then answered the angel, that spake with me, and said unto me; knoweth thou not, what these things are? [Heb. What these same things are?] and I said. No my Lord.
6. Then he answered and spake to me saying: this the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel. [the meaning is, this is that which is represented by this vision, that thou shalt make in my Name unto Zerubbabel, namely; That this goodly golden candlestick (made without the hands of man) doth betoken, the temple shall certainly be re-edified and accomplished, so that the golden candlestick shall be brought again into the same, as it was in former times. Also God by this means intended to comfort and encourage Zerubbabel in his office and calling, whiles there were but slender outward means at hand for the bulding up of the temple, and for the resisting of those enemies that sought to hinder it] saying; not by power, nor by force, [viz. of men, humane, worldly] but my spirit [i.e. by mine holy spirit, by whom I shall powerfully work and effect all this] (shall it come to passé) [to wit, that the temple shall be built up, and that my people shall be preserved and saved. All this, God is able, when he pleaseth, to do it quite alone, without the help of man, whom neverthelesse he is sometimes pleased to make instrumental] saith the LORD of hostes.
7. Where art thou, O great mountain? Before the face of Zerabbabel shalt thou become a plain field. [Or, a valley. This speech is addressed to Saneballar and the other enemies of God’s people, who in regard of the mean condition of the same and Zerubbabel, thought themselves great mountains and withstood them with all their power; as ye may see, Ezr. Chap 4 and 5, and 6. but the LORd saith here, that they shall not be able to prevail against Zerubbabel, nor to hinder the building of the temple. Thus it hath always been in vain for the enemies to rage and attempt ought against Christ and his church here on earth; or thus; who art thou, O great mountain, before the face of Zerubbabel! Thou shalt &c.] for he shall bring forth the head stone. [or, the high stone, viz of the temple; that is, he shall compleat the building of the temple, verse 9. yea he shall not onely build up the temple again, but he shall also be a progenitor of Christ the true Corner-stone, or Headstone of his church (Psalms 118:22) for Zerubbabel was a prince of God’s people, and type of Christ our eternal king, descended from him, according to the flesh. Matthew 1:12.] (with) acclamations [eb. (with) cracking: when people cry and shout that they are ready to build with it, or, that the aie seems to rend in pieces by the force of it] grace be to the same. [i.e. all happiness and prosperity attend upon this Headstone, and the whole temple, and upon Christ himself, and his church of whom the temple was a type. The sense is, there shall be a general congratulation made, as well by the angels, as true believers and all creatures besides, acknowledging, the fullness of all gifts and graces to be in Christ, and they shall wish and desire, that the father, through his grace will be pleased to bless and prosper the kingdom of Christ more and more, Psalms 118:26. otherwise: it is grace, grace; then the sense would be; it is of meer grace and mercy indeed, that thou hast made us to re-edifie this temple; it was not brought to passé by our power or worthiness, the doubling or, reiterating of word grace, implyeth a very great grace. Compare Isaiah 26:3. and 57.29.]
8. The word of the lord came further to me, saying: [viz. of the son of God, called above chapter 1.12. the angel of the lord and Ezek. 3 verse 2 the LORD. Otherwise sot the word of the LORD was come to me. Saying; as if the prophet had said, this I speak by charge and command from the Lord.]
9. The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, his hands shall also absolve it: the ye may know, that the LORD of hostes hath sent me to you.
10. For, who despiseth the day of small things? [that is, the day of the small beginnings of rebuilding the temple? As if Christ said; the father hath so desposed and ordered this, by his almighty power, who shall despise it?] when as yet these seven [to wit, eyes, spoken of above chapter 3 verse 9 and below chap 5.6. &c Revelation 5:6] shall rejoice, when they shall see te tin-weight [or, plummet. Heb. The stone or, tin-stone, i.e the measuring line, on which the weight of tin or lead called the plummet, doth depend. See Isa. 34. the annotate on verse 11.] in the hand of Zerubbabel: these are the eyes of the LORD, [i.e. the assured providence of the LORD] passing through the whole land. [compare 2 chro. 16.9.]
11. Further I answered and said to him; what are [i.e. signifie] these two olive-trees, at the right side of the candlestick and at his left side?
12. And answering (once) again, I said unto him; what are these two branches [Or, berries; or branches with berries] of the olive-trees, which are in the two golden cruse, [heb. Which are in, or the hand of the two, &c. the Hebrew word Jael signifies sometimes a space or room, as neh. 7.4. Psalms 104:25. sometimes a side as 2 Sam 15.2] pouring out gold from themselves [to wit, into the bowl: from themselves, is here as much as, of themselves, withot the help or art of man. By the gold is understood the oil, being as pure, yellow and bright as it were gold. By this pure oil are understood, the gifts and graces of the holy ghost. See the answer to the question here below verse 14.]
13. And he spake to me, saying; knoweth thou not what these are? [to wit, olive-trees, or olive-branches. Oth. What these things are? i.e. what they signifie; as also verse 14.] and I said, no my lord.
14. Then he said, these are the two olive-branches, [Heb. Sons of the oil (see of the phrase Genesis 49:22.) i.e. anointed ones, because the kings and high priest used to be anointed with oil, 1 kings 10.1 and chapter 24.7 and Exodus 29:29. and chapter 30.30. Leviticus 8:12. hereby the angel answered him his second question verse 12. compare this place with Revelation 11:4. however, by these two branches the LORD Christ is principally to be understood, as the foundation of all the spiritual gifts, being typified in this place by these two faithful ministers of the LORD, to wit, Zerubbabel and Josua, in regard of his Royal and high office] which stand before the lord of the whole earth.