Zechariah 4:1

KJV

¶ And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} that talked {H1696} with me came again {H7725}, and waked {H5782} me, as a man {H376} that is wakened {H5782} out of his sleep {H8142},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the angel that had been speaking with me returned and roused me, as if he were waking someone up from being asleep,

Berean Standard Bible

Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and woke me, as a man is awakened from his sleep.

American Standard Version

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 4:1 serves as a pivotal re-engagement point in the prophet's series of night visions, where the interpreting angel, having momentarily withdrawn, returns to rouse Zechariah from a state akin to sleep. This divine intervention underscores the necessity of the prophet's full attention and spiritual alertness to receive and comprehend the profound revelations that are about to unfold, particularly concerning the divine empowerment for the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a crucial transition within Zechariah's eight night visions, specifically bridging the vision of Joshua the High Priest's cleansing and vindication in [Zechariah 3](/zechariah/3 "Zechariah 3 - Cleansing of Joshua the High Priest") with the powerful vision of the golden lampstand and two olive trees that immediately follows in [Zechariah 4:2-14](/zechariah/4-2-14 "Zechariah 4:2-14 - Vision of the Golden Lampstand and Olive Trees"). The angel's action of "waking" Zechariah suggests a necessary pause or interlude, preparing the prophet (and the reader) for a new, significant revelation. It emphasizes that each vision builds upon the previous one, with the divine interpreter ensuring the prophet is fully receptive to the unfolding divine message concerning God's provision and power for His people's work.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied during the critical post-exilic period, around 520 BC, roughly 16 years after the first wave of Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. This was a time of immense challenge and discouragement. The initial fervor for rebuilding the Temple had waned due to opposition from surrounding peoples and internal apathy, as highlighted in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding"). The returned exiles faced poverty, famine, and a sense of hopelessness. Zechariah, alongside Haggai, was raised up by God to stir the people to complete the Temple, which was central to their identity and covenant relationship with God. The visions served as divine encouragement, assuring them that God was with them and would provide the necessary resources and power, not through human might but through His Spirit, as later emphasized in [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power").
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 4:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Initiative and Revelation**, emphasizing that God actively communicates His will to His chosen messengers, ensuring they are prepared to receive and transmit His truth. The angel's return and action underscore God's persistent desire for His people to understand His plans. Secondly, the verse introduces the theme of **Spiritual Awakening and Readiness**. The metaphor of being "wakened out of his sleep" suggests a need for the prophet, and by extension, the community, to move beyond spiritual lethargy or dullness into a state of heightened awareness and receptivity to divine truth. This readiness is crucial for engaging in God's work. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Divine Empowerment for Service**, as the subsequent vision in [Zechariah 4:2-14](/zechariah/4-2-14 "Zechariah 4:2-14 - Vision of the Golden Lampstand and Olive Trees") directly addresses the source of power for the Temple's completion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** From H4397, meaning "a messenger," specifically of God. This term denotes a divine agent dispatched by God to communicate His will. The angel in Zechariah's visions is not merely a guide but an active participant in the revelatory process, demonstrating God's direct involvement in conveying His messages.
* **Came again (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, meaning "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again." This word signifies a deliberate return or repetition of action. The angel's "coming again" implies a re-engagement after a period of silence or a pause in the vision, reinforcing the intentionality of the divine communication.
* **Waked (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** From H5782, meaning "to wake (literally or figuratively); (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), stir up (self)." This verb denotes an active rousing from sleep or a state of unconsciousness. Its use here suggests more than just physical awakening; it implies a spiritual stirring or a call to heightened mental and spiritual alertness to fully grasp the profound truths being revealed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And the angel that talked with me came again":** This clause re-establishes the presence and role of the interpreting angel, who has been Zechariah's guide through the previous visions. The phrase "came again" indicates a deliberate re-initiation of communication, suggesting that there might have been a brief interlude or a moment when Zechariah's attention had wavered, necessitating the angel's return to re-engage him for the next phase of revelation.
* **"and waked me":** This is the core action of the verse. The angel actively rouses Zechariah. While it could imply physical sleep, given the context of a continuous series of visions, it more likely signifies a spiritual or mental state of dullness, distraction, or perhaps even a trance-like state from which the prophet needed to be brought to full, conscious receptivity. This highlights the active nature of divine revelation and the need for human attentiveness.
* **"as a man that is wakened out of his sleep":** This simile clarifies the nature of the "waking." It likens Zechariah's state to that of someone abruptly roused from deep slumber. This emphasizes the suddenness and completeness of the awakening, ensuring that Zechariah is fully alert and prepared to receive the weighty and symbolic message that is about to be imparted, underscoring the importance of clarity and focus in divine encounters.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in "as a man that is wakened out of his sleep." This comparison vividly illustrates Zechariah's state of being roused, suggesting a transition from a passive, perhaps unconscious, state to one of full alertness and receptivity. This simile not only describes a physical action but also carries a strong metaphorical implication of spiritual awakening. Additionally, there is an element of **Anthropomorphism** in the angel's action, as the divine messenger performs a human-like action of waking someone, making the divine interaction relatable. Finally, the act of "sleep" itself can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not merely physical slumber but a state of spiritual unawareness, dullness, or even apathy, from which the prophet (and by extension, the post-exilic community) needs to be roused to fully grasp God's will and participate in His work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 4:1 profoundly illustrates God's persistent and active engagement with His prophets and, by extension, with His people. It reveals that divine revelation is not a passive reception but often requires a divine initiative to prepare the human recipient. The angel's action of "waking" Zechariah underscores the theological truth that God desires His messages to be received with full attention and spiritual clarity. This divine "waking" is a call to move beyond spiritual lethargy or distraction, preparing the heart and mind for deeper understanding and obedience. It sets the stage for the crucial message of divine empowerment that follows, reminding us that God equips those He calls, often by first ensuring their spiritual readiness.

* [Ephesians 5:14](/ephesians/5-14 "Ephesians 5:14 - Wake Up, Sleeper!")
* [Isaiah 50:4](/isaiah/50-4 "Isaiah 50:4 - The Awakened Ear")
* [1 Corinthians 15:34](/1_corinthians/15-34 "1 Corinthians 15:34 - Awake to Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 4:1 serves as a timeless reminder that God is consistently seeking to communicate with His people, but our receptivity often requires a divine intervention to rouse us from spiritual slumber. In a world filled with distractions and spiritual apathy, it is easy to become dull of hearing or to drift into a state where we are not fully attentive to God's voice. This verse challenges us to consider our own spiritual posture: are we truly awake and alert to the Spirit's promptings, or do we need God to "wake" us? Just as Zechariah was prepared for a profound revelation concerning God's power for rebuilding, we too must cultivate a readiness to hear God's word, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the circumstances of life. This active receptivity is essential for understanding God's purposes for us and for participating effectively in His ongoing work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually "asleep" or dull to God's voice?**
* **What might God be doing to "wake" me up to a new truth or a deeper calling?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of spiritual alertness and readiness to receive divine revelation in my daily life?**
* **What specific distractions or forms of apathy might be hindering my ability to hear and respond to God?**

### FAQ
**Why did the angel need to "wake" Zechariah? Was he physically asleep?**

Answer: While the text uses the imagery of physical sleep ("as a man that is wakened out of his sleep"), it's more likely a metaphor for a state of spiritual or mental dullness, distraction, or perhaps a trance-like state from which the prophet needed to be brought to full, conscious awareness. The series of visions was intense and profound, and the angel's action ensured Zechariah was fully alert and receptive to the complex and highly symbolic message that was about to be revealed concerning the Temple's rebuilding and divine empowerment (see [Zechariah 4:2-14](/zechariah/4-2-14 "Zechariah 4:2-14 - Vision of the Golden Lampstand and Olive Trees")). It emphasizes the active preparation required for receiving weighty divine truth.

**What is the significance of the angel "coming again"?**

Answer: The phrase "came again" (Hebrew: _shûwb_) suggests a deliberate re-engagement after a period of silence or a pause in the visions. It signifies the angel's persistent role as the divine interpreter and God's unwavering commitment to communicate His will. It reinforces the idea that God initiates and sustains the revelatory process, ensuring His message is clearly conveyed and understood, even if the recipient's attention momentarily wanes. This highlights God's patience and His desire for full comprehension from His chosen messengers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 4:1, with its emphasis on divine awakening for revelation, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's perfect and final revelation to humanity. Just as the angel "waked" Zechariah to prepare him for a message concerning God's power, Christ is the "light of the world" who awakens those in spiritual darkness (compare [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). He came to rouse humanity from the "sleep" of sin and ignorance, calling us to a new life of awareness and truth (see [Ephesians 5:14](/ephesians/5-14 "Ephesians 5:14 - Wake Up, Sleeper!")). Moreover, Jesus is not merely the messenger but the message itself, the "Word made flesh" (as in [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), through whom God has spoken definitively. The Holy Spirit, sent by Christ, continues this work of spiritual awakening, illuminating our hearts and minds to understand the deep truths of God's Word and empowering us for service, just as the Spirit empowered the rebuilding of the Temple (foreshadowed in [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Not by Might Nor by Power")). Thus, Zechariah's personal awakening prefigures the greater spiritual awakening brought about by Christ's advent and the ongoing work of His Spirit in the lives of believers.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 1:9

Then said I, O my lord, what [are] these? And the angel that talked with me said unto me, I will shew thee what these [be].

Daniel 8:18

Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

Jeremiah 31:26

Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.

Zechariah 1:19

And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What [be] these? And he answered me, These [are] the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.

1 Kings 19:5

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise [and] eat.

1 Kings 19:7

And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise [and] eat; because the journey [is] too great for thee.

Luke 9:32

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.