Zechariah 4:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then answered I, and said unto him, What [are] these two olive trees upon the right [side] of the candlestick and upon the left [side] thereof?

Complete Jewish Bible:

I replied by asking him, "What are those two olive trees on the right and left sides of the menorah?"

Berean Standard Bible:

Then I asked the angel, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?”

American Standard Version:

Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then answered^{H6030} I, and said^{H559} unto him, What are these two^{H8147} olive trees^{H2132} upon the right^{H3225} side of the candlestick^{H4501} and upon the left^{H8040} side thereof?

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Commentary for Zechariah 4:11

Zechariah 4:11 is a part of a larger vision described by the prophet Zechariah, which is set within the historical context of the post-exilic period in Jewish history. The Jewish people had returned from Babylonian captivity and were working to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest. This verse is part of a symbolic vision that includes a golden lampstand (menorah) with seven lamps and two olive trees, one on each side of the lampstand.

In the vision, Zechariah inquires about the meaning of the two olive trees, seeking to understand their significance in relation to the lampstand. The question itself reflects a theme common in prophetic literature: the desire to interpret the symbols presented in divine visions. These symbols often represent larger spiritual or historical truths.

The two olive trees are later interpreted in the next verses (Zechariah 4:12-14) as representing two "anointed ones" who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. While there is some debate among scholars and theologians, many interpret these two figures as Zerubbabel and Joshua, symbolizing both secular and religious leadership, essential for the restoration and spiritual guidance of Israel. The olive oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit and divine enablement, flows from the trees to the lampstand, suggesting that the leaders are empowered by God to sustain the light of Israel—the temple, its worship, and by extension, the spiritual life of the nation.

The overarching themes of Zechariah 4:11 include divine empowerment for leadership, the importance of both political and priestly guidance for the community, and the assurance that God's purposes will be fulfilled through His anointed servants. This verse, therefore, speaks to the need for spiritual and temporal authority to work in harmony under God's direction, especially during times of restoration and rebuilding in the life of God's people.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6030
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8147
   There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
   Transliteration: shᵉnayim
   Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
   Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2132
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זַיִת
   Transliteration: zayith
   Pronunciation: zay'-yith
   Description: probably from an unused root (akin to זִו); an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry; olive (tree, -yard), Olivet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3225
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָמִין
   Transliteration: yâmîyn
   Pronunciation: yaw-meen'
   Description: from יָמַן; the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south; [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4501
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְנוֹרָה
   Transliteration: mᵉnôwrâh
   Pronunciation: men-o-raw'
   Description: or מְנֹרָה; feminine of מָנוֹר (in the original sense of נִיר); a chandelier; candlestick.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8040
   There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׂמֹאול
   Transliteration: sᵉmôʼwl
   Pronunciation: sem-ole'
   Description: or שְׂמֹאל; a primitive word (rather perhaps from the same as שִׂמְלָה (by insertion of the aleph) through the idea of wrapping up); properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e. the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand; left (hand, side).