Zechariah 4:1

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

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},

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

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

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

Context

Zechariah 4:1 marks a crucial transition within the series of night visions given to the prophet Zechariah. Occurring during the post-exilic period, roughly 520 BC, these visions were intended to encourage the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem. Their task was immense: to rebuild the city and, most importantly, the Temple of the Lord, which lay in ruins. This verse immediately follows the powerful vision of Joshua the High Priest's cleansing and vindication, setting the stage for the next revelation concerning the source of divine power for the rebuilding effort.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Revelation: The verse highlights God's active role in communicating His will to His chosen messengers. The angel, acting as a divine messenger, takes the initiative to re-engage with Zechariah, ensuring the prophet is fully attentive to the upcoming message. This underscores God's desire for His people to understand His plans.
  • Spiritual Awakening: The phrase "waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep" suggests more than just physical slumber. It implies a need for Zechariah to be roused from any spiritual dullness or unawareness, to be fully alert and receptive to profound divine truth. This metaphor often speaks to a spiritual awakening or renewed focus that is necessary for receiving heavenly insight.
  • Preparation for Deeper Understanding: This verse serves as a crucial prologue to the highly symbolic vision of the golden lampstand and two olive trees. The angelic intervention prepares Zechariah, and by extension, the reader, for a revelation that will speak directly to the divine empowerment needed for God's work, particularly the rebuilding of the temple.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "waked" here is ya'er (יָעֵר), which literally means 'to rouse,' 'to awaken,' or 'to stir up.' Its use emphasizes a deliberate, active effort on the part of the angel to bring Zechariah to a state of full consciousness and alertness. It's not merely a passive awakening, but an intentional act to ensure the prophet's readiness to receive and comprehend the weighty divine message that follows. This implies that spiritual revelation often requires a heightened state of attentiveness and openness, a stirring of the spirit to perceive God's truth.

Significance and Application

Zechariah 4:1 offers timeless insights into the nature of divine communication and our role in receiving it. Just as the prophet needed to be "wakened," we too must cultivate spiritual readiness to hear God's voice and understand His purposes. This verse reminds us that God is eager to reveal His plans, especially when His people are engaged in His work. It underscores that understanding God's message often requires a conscious effort to move beyond spiritual lethargy and be fully present for His truth. It sets the stage for the powerful message of empowerment by God's Spirit, essential for any task God calls us to.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
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