Tyndale Open Study NotesZechariah 4

These eight visions helped the Judeans overcome their fears and trust in God's promises. The visions happened two months after Haggai's last two messages (Haggai 2:10–19, 20–23). They suggest that Haggai's prophecies were coming true.

This vision shows that God, through his Spirit, would help Zerubbabel and Jeshua rebuild the temple.

woke me: Zechariah received a series of visions (Zechariah 1:7–6:8) in one night. The prophet slept briefly before this fifth vision.

• gold lampstand: The golden menorah in the Tabernacle was first described in Exodus 25:31. A similar lampstand was later placed in the new temple. It served as a symbol of God’s purity and holiness and of the light that comes from his revelation.

• The two olive trees represent the roles of priest and king in Israel. They symbolize Jeshua and Zerubbabel. The golden oil represents God's Holy Spirit (see also Zechariah 4:12–14).

Jeshua and Zerubbabel would succeed in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, not by their own power, but because of God's empowering Spirit (compare Haggai 2:4–5).

• O great mountain … become a plain: This phrase is a metaphor used in both the Old Testament (see Isaiah 40:4; 49:11) and the New Testament (see Matthew 17:20; 1 Corinthians 13:2). It means that faith in God helps people overcome difficult challenges.

• The capstone or headstone, which is the final stone, completes a stone wall or building (see Psalm 118:22).

• Grace, grace to it! is a prayer asking for God's favor and blessing on the new temple.

• A plumb line is a cord with a tin or lead weight at one end. It helps ensure a wall is vertical in construction.

• these seven eyes: Seven represents completeness or perfection. God observes everything on earth and controls the destinies of people and nations.

two anointed ones: Jeshua and Zerubbabel, served as the religious and civic leaders of Jerusalem after the return from exile in Babylon (Zechariah 3:1, 7; 4:6–7; Haggai 1:14; 2:2–3). They were anointed with oil during their commissioning. Under their leadership, the temple of the Lord was rebuilt, and worship was restored in Jerusalem.