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Zechariah 4:3

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And two olive trees by it, one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof.

And two {H8147} olive trees {H2132} by it, one {H259} upon the right {H3225} side of the bowl {H1543}, and the other {H259} upon the left {H8040} side thereof.

Next to it are two olive trees, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left."

There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.”

and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

Commentary

Zechariah 4:3 is an integral part of the prophet Zechariah’s fourth vision, which begins with the description of a golden lampstand in Zechariah 4:2. This particular verse introduces two prominent olive trees, positioned one on each side of the bowl that feeds the lampstand. This imagery is rich with symbolic meaning, especially considering the historical context of the post-exilic period when the Jewish people were striving to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Context

The vision of the lampstand and the olive trees was given to Zechariah during a time of significant challenge and discouragement for the Jewish returnees from Babylonian exile. They were engaged in the arduous task of rebuilding the second Temple, a project that faced both internal apathy and external opposition. The primary leaders of this rebuilding effort were Zerubbabel, the civil governor, and Joshua, the high priest. This vision served as a powerful message of divine encouragement and assurance that God’s work would be completed, not by human strength, but by His Spirit.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Anointing: The two olive trees are depicted as the direct source of oil for the lampstand, symbolizing the continuous, supernatural supply of divine grace and power. This oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which is essential for God’s work to proceed and for His people to thrive.
  • The Two Anointed Ones: While Zechariah 4:3 simply describes their presence, the later interpretation in Zechariah 4:14 explicitly identifies these two olive trees as "the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." These are widely understood to represent Zerubbabel (the civil authority, representing the Davidic royal line) and Joshua (the priestly authority), signifying that both spiritual and governmental leadership are divinely appointed and empowered by God.
  • God's Work by His Spirit: The continuous flow of oil from the trees to the lampstand without human intervention underscores the central message of the entire vision: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). This emphasizes that God's purposes are accomplished through His supernatural enabling, rather than human effort or resources alone.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "anointed ones" in Zechariah 4:14, referring to the olive trees, comes from the Hebrew b'nei hayyitshar (בְּנֵי הַיִּצְהָר), which literally means "sons of fresh oil" or "sons of oil." This vivid imagery reinforces their direct connection to divine anointing and their role as conduits of God’s power and presence for His people.

Practical Application

Zechariah 4:3, in conjunction with the broader vision, offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God consistently equips and empowers those He calls to accomplish His purposes, whether in leadership roles or in everyday service.
  • Our efforts for the Kingdom of God are not sustained by human strength or ingenuity alone, but by the continuous supply of the Holy Spirit. This truth encourages a deep dependence on God rather than self-reliance.
  • Just as Zerubbabel and Joshua were divinely appointed for the Temple's rebuilding, God continues to raise up and anoint individuals and communities to carry out His work in the world, ensuring His plans will prevail despite obstacles and challenges.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 11:4 (9 votes)

    These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

  • Zechariah 4:14 (6 votes)

    Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

  • Romans 11:17 (5 votes)

    And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

  • Zechariah 4:11 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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?

  • Zechariah 4:12 (4 votes)

    And I answered again, and said unto him, What [be these] two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden [oil] out of themselves?

  • Romans 11:24 (3 votes)

    For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?

  • Judges 9:9 (3 votes)

    But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?