Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Zechariah 4
What seest thou? The fifth vision.
I said. Heb, text reads "he". Some codices, with four early printed editions, are without the Hebrew margin, "I"
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
candlestick = a single seven-branched lampstand, as in the Tabernacle and in the second Temple (1 Macc. 1.21; 4.49; as seen in the Arch of Titus, in Rome). The reference is to the Pentateuch (Exodus 25:31); not to Solomon's Temple, in which there were ten separate lampstands (1 Kings 7:49). Compare Jeremiah 52:19. App-92.
and his seven lamps. Reference to Pentateuch (Ex, Zechariah 25:37).
seven pipes. This looks forward to the future, as described in Revelation 11:3-12.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
might = might [of man].
nor = and not.
power = power [of flesh].
but by, &c. i.e. as in the lampstand the oil flowed silently, without help from man,
Spirit. Hebrew. ruach App-9.
the LORD of hosts. See note on Zechariah 1:3.
O great mountain? Add, by supplying the Ellip sis (App-6), "[that standest in the way of Zerubbebel? ]"
The hands, &c. Here is the explanation of the vision.
thou shalt know. Some codices, with Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "ye shall know".
plummet. Hebrew stone of tin = tin weight used as a plummet,
with those seven = these seven [lamps which thou seest these [are] the eyes", &c.; as in Zechariah 3:9.
empty the golden oil out of themselves = empty out of themselves [and fill] the golden [bowls],
the two anointed ones. Heb, the two sons of oil; looking forward again to the future, to "the two witnesses" of Revelation 11:3-13.
the Lord of the whole earth. The Hebrew adon App-4., is here specially associated with Messiah's dominion in the earth. Compare Zechariah 6:5; Zechariah 14:9. Joshua 3:11-13. Psalms 8:1, Psalms 8:6, Psalms 8:9; Psalms 97:5. Micah 4:13.
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