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.

The hands {H3027} of Zerubbabel {H2216} have laid the foundation {H3245} of this house {H1004}; his hands {H3027} shall also finish {H1214} it; and thou shalt know {H3045} that the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} hath sent {H7971} me unto you.

'The hands of Z'rubavel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will also finish it.' Then you will know that ADONAI-Tzva'ot sent me to you.

“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you.

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

Zechariah 4:9 is a powerful verse of divine assurance and prophetic validation, delivered to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, during the challenging period of rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

Context of Zechariah 4:9

This verse is part of a series of eight night visions granted to the prophet Zechariah, designed to encourage the disheartened Jewish community that had returned from exile. The people, led by Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua, faced significant opposition and economic hardship, causing delays and discouragement in the monumental task of rebuilding God's house. Zechariah 4 specifically focuses on the vision of the golden lampstand and two olive trees, which symbolize God's empowering Spirit working through His anointed leaders. Verse 9 serves as a direct, unwavering promise to Zerubbabel regarding the completion of the Temple.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Assurance of Completion: The primary message is God's solemn pledge that Zerubbabel, who initiated the Temple's foundation, would also be the one to complete it. This promise directly counters the doubts and difficulties the builders faced, affirming God's faithfulness to His purposes despite human limitations or external opposition. It highlights that God finishes what He starts through His chosen instruments.
  • God's Empowerment, Not Human Might: While this verse explicitly states Zerubbabel's role in both beginning and finishing, the broader context of Zechariah 4, particularly the famous declaration in Zechariah 4:6 ("Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts"), underpins this promise. The completion would not be by human strength or vast resources, but by divine enablement.
  • Validation of Prophetic Authority: The concluding phrase, "and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you," emphasizes the divine origin and authenticity of Zechariah's message. The successful completion of the Temple, as prophesied, would serve as undeniable proof that Zechariah was indeed God's messenger.

Linguistic Insights

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is a significant divine appellation appearing frequently in the Old Testament, especially in prophetic books. It portrays God as the sovereign commander of heavenly armies and all creation, underscoring His omnipotence and absolute authority to bring His plans to fruition. This powerful title reinforces the certainty and reliability of the promise given to Zerubbabel concerning the rebuilding of the Temple.

Related Scriptures

  • The historical account of the Temple's foundation being laid and its eventual completion can be found in the book of Ezra. See Ezra 3:10-13 for the laying of the foundation and Ezra 6:15 for its dedication.
  • This principle of God completing what He begins resonates throughout scripture, from His covenant promises to Abraham to the New Testament assurance that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Practical Application

Zechariah 4:9 offers profound encouragement for believers facing daunting tasks or experiencing discouragement in their spiritual journeys or ministries. It reminds us that if God has called us to a work, He is faithful to provide the means and the power to see it through to completion. This verse encourages perseverance, trusting in God's divine enablement rather than relying solely on human strength or resources. It also teaches us to value the humble beginnings of a work, knowing that God often uses small steps to achieve glorious ends, ultimately bringing Him glory and validating His word.

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.

  • Ezra 6:14

    And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished [it], according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

  • Ezra 6:15

    And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

  • Zechariah 6:12

    And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

  • Zechariah 6:13

    Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

  • Ezra 5:16

    Then came the same Sheshbazzar, [and] laid the foundation of the house of God which [is] in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and [yet] it is not finished.

  • Ezra 3:8

    ¶ Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

  • Ezra 3:13

    So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

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