Zechariah 4:13

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be]? And I said, No, my lord.

And he answered {H559} me and said {H559}, Knowest {H3045} thou not what these be? And I said {H559}, No, my lord {H113}.

He replied, "Don't you know what they are?" I answered, "No, my Lord."

“Do you not know what these are?” he inquired. “No, my lord,” I replied.

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.

Commentary

Zechariah 4:13 captures a pivotal moment in the prophet Zechariah's fourth night vision, where he is being shown profound symbolic imagery concerning God's work in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the prophet's admission of lack of understanding, setting the stage for divine revelation.

Context

This verse is part of a series of night visions granted to the prophet Zechariah during the post-exilic period (circa 520 BC). The returned Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua, were facing discouragement and opposition as they sought to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. God sent Zechariah, along with Haggai, to encourage the people and their leaders. Immediately preceding this verse, Zechariah has just seen the vision of a golden lampstand and two olive trees (see Zechariah 4:2-3). The angelic interpreter, who has been guiding Zechariah through the visions, asks a direct question: "Knowest thou not what these [be]?" Zechariah's honest response, "No, my lord," underscores the need for divine interpretation of God's mysterious ways.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Human Ignorance: The verse emphasizes that understanding God's prophetic word often requires divine assistance. Zechariah's humble admission of ignorance is a necessary step before receiving clarity. This theme resonates with the idea that spiritual truths are revealed by God, not grasped by human intellect alone.
  • The Role of the Angelic Interpreter: God uses His messengers to clarify His will and explain His visions to His prophets. This highlights God's desire for His people to understand His plans and purposes, even when they are presented symbolically.
  • Preparation for Deeper Truths: Zechariah's question and answer serve as a literary device to build anticipation for the crucial explanation that follows. It signals that the meaning of the lampstand and olive trees is significant and warrants careful attention.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Knowest thou not what these [be]?" is a straightforward question from the angelic interpreter. The word "these" refers specifically to the two olive trees and the lampstand that Zechariah has just observed in his vision. Zechariah's reply, "No, my lord," is a simple yet profound statement of humility and dependence on divine guidance. It sets up the subsequent verses where the angel explains the symbolic meaning, particularly in Zechariah 4:14, which reveals the identity of the two olive trees as "the two anointed ones."

Practical Application

Zechariah 4:13 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Humility in Learning: Like Zechariah, we should not be afraid to admit when we don't understand God's Word or His ways. A humble spirit is open to instruction and more receptive to divine insight.
  • Seeking Understanding: This verse encourages us to actively seek clarification and understanding when we encounter difficult passages in Scripture or confusing circumstances in life. God provides means for understanding, whether through the Holy Spirit, wise teachers, or further study.
  • Reliance on Divine Guidance: Just as Zechariah relied on the angelic interpreter, we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit, who is our ultimate teacher and guide into all truth (John 16:13).
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 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

  • Zechariah 4:5

    Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

  • Hebrews 5:11

    Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

  • Hebrews 5:12

    For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
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