Zechariah 4:7

Who [art] thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel [thou shalt become] a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone [thereof with] shoutings, [crying], Grace, grace unto it.

Who art thou, O great {H1419} mountain {H2022}? before {H6440} Zerubbabel {H2216} thou shalt become a plain {H4334}: and he shall bring forth {H3318} the headstone {H68}{H7222} thereof with shoutings {H8663}, crying, Grace {H2580}, grace {H2580} unto it.

'What are you, you big mountain? Before Z'rubavel you will become a plain; and he will put the capstone in place, as everyone shouts, "It's beautiful! Beautiful!"'

What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it.

Zechariah 4:7 KJV is a powerful declaration of God's ability to overcome immense obstacles through His chosen instruments, particularly in the context of rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic vision given to Zechariah during the post-exilic period, when the Jewish people had returned from seventy years of Babylonian captivity. Under the leadership of Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua, the daunting task of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem had begun but faced significant opposition and discouragement (see Ezra 4). Zechariah’s message, alongside Haggai’s, was primarily to encourage the people and their leaders that God Himself would ensure the completion of this divine project, not by human strength, but by His Spirit. This particular verse immediately follows the famous declaration in Zechariah 4:6, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

Key Themes

  • Overcoming Insurmountable Obstacles: The "great mountain" symbolizes any formidable challenge or opposition that stands in the way of God's purposes. For Zerubbabel, this was the monumental task of rebuilding the Temple, coupled with external resistance and internal apathy. The promise that it "shalt become a plain" signifies God's divine power to level all difficulties, making the impossible achievable.
  • Divine Enablement and Completion: Zerubbabel is promised to "bring forth the headstone," which is the final, crowning stone that completes a building. This assures him that he will not only begin but also finish the Temple project. It highlights God's commitment to seeing His work through to completion, often through human leaders empowered by Him. This concept resonates with the idea of Christ as the ultimate cornerstone and headstone of the spiritual temple, the Church.
  • Celebration of God's Grace: The "shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it" emphasize the joyous acclamation upon the Temple's completion. The repetition of "Grace" (Hebrew: chen) underscores the recognition that the accomplishment is entirely due to God's unmerited favor, enabling power, and benevolent provision. It’s a shout of praise for divine assistance and beauty.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "grace" here is chen (חֵן), which conveys favor, charm, acceptance, and graciousness. Its repetition, "Grace, grace," serves as an emphatic declaration, highlighting the abundant and overwhelming nature of God's favor that enables the completion of the work and is worthy of joyous recognition.

Practical Application

Zechariah 4:7 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that when we face "great mountains" in our lives—whether personal challenges, spiritual battles, or daunting tasks for God's kingdom—we are not alone. God promises to make the path plain and to enable us to bring forth the "headstone." This verse calls us to:

  • Trust in God's Power: Recognize that no obstacle is too great for God's Spirit to overcome.
  • Persevere in Faith: Continue working on the tasks God has given us, knowing He will provide the means for completion.
  • Attribute Success to God's Grace: When breakthroughs occur, give glory and thanks to God for His unmerited favor and enabling power.
This message is a timeless source of hope, assuring us that God's plans will prevail, not by human strength, but by His Spirit and His abundant grace.

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.

  • Jeremiah 51:25

    Behold, I [am] against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.

  • Micah 4:1

    ¶ But in the last days it shall come to pass, [that] the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

  • Zechariah 4:9

    The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

  • Psalms 114:4

    The mountains skipped like rams, [and] the little hills like lambs.

  • Psalms 118:22

    The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

  • 1 Peter 2:7

    Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

  • Haggai 2:21

    Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
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