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.

Then the angel {H4397} that talked {H1696} with me answered {H6030} and said {H559} unto me, Knowest {H3045} thou not what these be? And I said {H559}, No, my lord {H113}.

"Don't you know what these are?" I said, "No, my Lord."

โ€œDo you not know what they are?โ€ replied the angel. โ€œNo, my lord,โ€ I answered.

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

Commentary

Zechariah 4:5 captures a pivotal moment in one of the prophet Zechariah's most significant visions. Following the detailed description of the golden lampstand and two olive trees (seen in Zechariah 4:2-3), the interpreting angel directly questions Zechariah's comprehension of the divine imagery. Zechariah's humble admission, "No, my lord," sets the stage for the angel's crucial explanation of God's message for Zerubbabel and the post-exilic community.

Context

This verse is part of a series of eight night visions granted to the prophet Zechariah during the post-exilic period, roughly 520 BC. The primary concern of this era was the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, a task that faced significant opposition and discouragement among the returned exiles. Zechariah's visions, including the one involving the lampstand and olive trees, were designed to provide encouragement and assurance of God's presence and power to Zerubbabel, the civil governor, and Joshua, the High Priest, as they led the rebuilding efforts after the Babylonian exile.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Human Understanding: The angel's question highlights that spiritual truths often require divine explanation. Zechariah, despite being a prophet, did not automatically grasp the full meaning of the vision, underscoring the need for God's illumination.
  • Humility in Seeking Knowledge: Zechariah's honest response, "No, my lord," demonstrates a humble and teachable spirit. This humility is essential for receiving and understanding God's messages.
  • God's Initiative in Explaining: The divine interpreter's presence and willingness to clarify the vision assure us that God desires for His people to understand His will and purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "Knowest thou not what these be?" (ื”ึฒืœึนื ื™ึธื“ึทืขึฐืชึผึธ ืžึธื” ื”ึตืžึผึธื” - halo yada'ta mah hemmah) is a rhetorical question designed not to scold, but to prompt Zechariah to acknowledge his lack of understanding, thereby opening the door for the angel's instruction. Zechariah's response, "No, my lord" (ืœึนื ืึฒื“ึนื ึดื™ - lo adoni), is a respectful and direct admission of his ignorance, showing his readiness to be taught. This interaction underscores the dynamic relationship between divine revelation and human reception.

Significance and Application

Zechariah 4:5 carries timeless significance for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • Spiritual Truth Requires Divine Illumination: Just as Zechariah needed the angel's explanation, we often need the Holy Spirit's guidance to understand God's Word and His plans (compare 1 Corinthians 2:14). We cannot rely solely on human intellect for spiritual discernment.
  • Humility is Key to Learning: Admitting what we don't know is the first step toward true understanding. God is more likely to reveal His truths to those who humbly seek Him.
  • God Desires to Communicate: The very act of the angel asking and then explaining demonstrates God's desire to communicate His will clearly to His servants. He does not hide truth from those who genuinely seek it.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder to approach God's Word with humility, seeking His divine insight for true comprehension.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Zechariah 4:13

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

  • Genesis 41:16

    And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

  • 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 2:30

    But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for [any] wisdom that I have more than any living, but for [their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:12

    Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:15

    But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

  • Mark 4:13

    And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
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