Zechariah 4


Zechariah 4 is the fourth of the 14 chapters in the Book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Zechariah. In the Hebrew Bible it forms part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets. This chapter relates Zechariah's fifth vision. It is a part of a section consisting of Zechariah 1–8.

Text

The original text was written in the Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 14 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Codex Cairensis, the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets, and Codex Leningradensis.
Fragments containing parts of this chapter were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, that is, 4Q80 with extant verses 1–4.
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus and Codex Marchalianus.

Vision of the lampstand and olive trees (verses 1–6)

The fifth of the eight visions uses the 'seal imagery' of the golden lamp and the olive-tree to symbolize two joint leaders appointed to do the works for God: Joshua the high priest and the Davidic descendant and governor, Zerubbabel.

Verse 6

  • "Not by might": Zerubabbel's work will be accomplished through the grace of God alone. Septuagint: "not by great might", but the Vulgate renders it: "not by an army". Zerubbabel might feel dispirited thinking how much there was to do with so few at his disposal, and how formidable the opposition, so this message reassure him of the promise of Divine aid, knowing that God regards him precious as a servant of the Lord, and governor of Judah.
  • "But by my Spirit": the work is to be effected by the living Spirit of God, unaffected by man's weakness, because God's might will bring strength out of weakness. Also in the might of God's Spirit He appointed in the Church "first Apostles, then prophets and evangelists" 1 Corinthians 12:28, 'filling them with divine gifts and enriching them by the influx of His Spirit'.

    Oracle of response (verses 7–14)

While the task to build the temple falls mainly on Zerubabbel, the two leaders are both God's "anointed ones".

Verse 10

Theologian Katrina Larkin suggests that the reference to a "day of small things" indicates that the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem is not to be mistaken for an eschatological "golden age".

Verse 14

The Hebrew words used mean "sons of oil", and refer to Zerubbabel and Joshua. The phrase comes from the same root as the word "messiah".

Jewish

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