ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 4:1 The fifth vision consists of a solid gold LAMPSTAND flanked by TWO OLIVE TREES (v. Zechariah 4:3). A “lampstand” is almost always a ritual object, especially one made of gold (see Exodus 25:31). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.get [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 4:2 The lampstand supported a BOWL, which was a container for the oil. Arranged around the bowl were SEVEN LAMPS, each of which had SEVEN LIPS (that is, “spouts”). This would provide a lot of light. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, l... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 4:6 God now addresses ZERUBBABEL, the governor. Along with Joshua the high priest, Zerubbabel had been put in charge of rebuilding the temple (Ezra 5:2; Haggai 1:1). God states that the obstacles to the rebuilding will be overcome only by an outpouring of God’s Spirit. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 4:7 With assurance of God’s help, the GREAT MOUNTAIN of difficulties that stands in the way of rebuilding will be reduced to a PLAIN in front of Zerubbabel (compare Isaiah 40:4). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, im... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 4:10 The SEVEN lamps (v. Zechariah 4:2) ARE THE EYES OF THE LORD. They represent his watchfulness over THE WHOLE EARTH, which results in blessing for his faithful people (compare 2 Chronicles 16:9). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
ZECHARIAH—NOTE ON ZECHARIAH 4:14 The two olive trees ARE THE TWO ANOINTED ONES (see esv footnote). This “new oil” represents the fertility that flows from God’s blessing (compare Haggai 1:11). The trees produce unlimited amounts of oil for the lampstand. They STAND BY THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH as... [ Continue Reading ]