Zechariah 4:10
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. | For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” | For who hath despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; these are the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedZerubbabel had laid the foundation of the rebuilt temple, and the LORD promised that his hands would also finish it. Some looked down on this small start, and this verse answers them: they will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand. The verse also explains the seven lamps of the vision: they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 4:10Zechariah 4:2Haggai 2:3
Commonly taken out of context
How it’s often usedA general motto that any small venture, business or personal dream will surely grow into something big, so don't despise small beginnings.
In contextThe verse is about the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, which looked like nothing beside the first one. Its hope rests on the LORD's specific promise that Zerubbabel would finish it by God's Spirit, not on a rule that every small start succeeds. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 4:10Haggai 2:3
SpeakingThe word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah during his night visions, through the angel that talked with him. Zechariah 4:1Zechariah 4:8Zechariah overview
ToZechariah and the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the temple. Zechariah 4:9Zechariah overview
Also involvedZerubbabel, the governor of Judah and grandson of king Jehoiachin, who led the building work. Zechariah 4:9Strong's H2216Zechariah overview
God rebukes anyone who scorned the temple's humble beginning. He promises joy when the people see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand, the man God said would finish the house. The seven lamps of the vision are explained as the LORD's eyes, which go through the whole earth. Zechariah 4:10Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:9Strong's H0068G
Jerusalem, among the exiles who had returned to rebuild the temple. Zechariah overview
The eventsIn the second year of Darius king of Persia, about 520 BC, after work on the temple had stopped under opposition. Haggai and Zechariah stirred the people to build again, and the temple was finished in Darius's sixth year. Zechariah overview
WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote the book, with dated messages from 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most agree chapters 1-8, which include this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC, while many assign chapters 9-14 to later writers. Zechariah overview
HereTo encourage discouraged builders that the small, unimpressive temple was God's work. It would be finished not by might or power but by his Spirit. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Zechariah overviewHaggai 2:3
In the whole of ScriptureScripture often shows God working through small or despised things. Job 8:7 speaks of a small beginning that greatly increases. Jesus likened the kingdom to a mustard seed and to leaven, and Paul says God chose despised things so that no flesh should glory in his presence. Job 8:7Matthew 13:31Matthew 13:331 Corinthians 1:281 Corinthians 1:29
For readersGod's work should not be judged by how small it looks at the start. The LORD's eyes see all, and what he has promised to finish he will finish. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says those eyes look out for people whose heart is perfect toward him. Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 4:102 Chronicles 16:9Proverbs 15:3
- despisedבּוּז
The word means to despise or hold as insignificant. The fault rebuked is treating God's work as unimportant because it looked small. Strong's H0936Haggai 2:3
- small thingsקָטָן
The word can mean young, small or unimportant. It describes the modest start of the temple that people compared with its first glory. Strong's H6996AHaggai 2:3
- plummet (stone)אֶ֫בֶן
The Hebrew word is "stone," and one of its listed senses is a plummet. It pictures Zerubbabel at work on the building God said he would finish. Strong's H0068GZechariah 4:9
- tinבְּדִיל
The word means tin or alloy. Together with "stone" it gives the KJV's "plummet." Strong's H0913Strong's H0068G
- run to and froשׁוּט
The word means to go or rove about, to go to and fro. 2 Chronicles 16:9 uses the same picture of the LORD's eyes covering the whole earth. Strong's H7751A2 Chronicles 16:9
Takeaway
Do not scorn what God has begun because it looks small. The LORD whose eyes go through the whole earth promised that the work he started through Zerubbabel would be finished by his Spirit. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 4:10
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
Behind this verse
- Jerusalem: The day of small things
- The new temple looked like nothing beside Solomon's. Old men who had seen the first house wept when its foundation was laid. Zechariah asks, "who hath despised the day of small things?" Ezra 3:12Haggai 2:3Zechariah 4:10
- Zerubbabel, governor of judah
- A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.
Who ruled
- King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC
Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription
- Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC
A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8
- High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC
Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2
- Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC
The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13
What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
- 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleThe first return
Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops
The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24
- 525 BCWarPersia conquers Egypt
Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16
- 522-521 BCWarDarius crushes the revolts
When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11
- 520 BCGod's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build
In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1
- c. 520-519 BCRulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree
Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12
- 515 BCBuildingThe second temple is finished
The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9
- 490-479 BCWarPersia's wars with Greece
Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13
- 445 BCBuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls
Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15
- 332 BCWarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza
Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| for | כִּ֣י | ki | H3588A | forכִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore |
| who? | מִ֣י | mi | H4310 | who?מִי (mi) who?, whose?, whom?, would that, whoever, whosoever |
| has he despised | בַז֮ | vaz | H0936 | to despiseבּוּז (buz) 1) to despise, hold in contempt, hold as insignificant 1a) (Qal) to despise, show despite toward |
| to a day of | לְי֣וֹם | le-YOM | H3117G | dayיוֹם (yom) : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow |
| small [things] | קְטַנּוֹת֒ | ke-ta-nOt | H6996A | smallקָטָן (qa.tan) young, small, unimportant Another spelling of qa.ton (קָטֹן ": small" H6996B) |
| and they will rejoice | וְשָׂמְח֗וּ | ve-sa-me-CHU | H8055 | to rejoiceשָׂמַח (sa.mach) 1) to rejoice, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at) 1a3) to rejoice (religiously) 1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad |
| and they will see | וְרָא֞וּ | ve-ra-'U | H7200G | to see: seeרָאָה (ra.ah) : see/show 1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, perceive 1a3) to see, have vision 1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out 1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish 1a6) to look at, gaze at 1a7) to provide, choose 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to appear, present oneself 1b2) to be seen 1b3) to be visible 1c) (Pual) to be seen 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to see, show 1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at 1e) (Hophal) … |
| the stone | הָאֶ֧בֶן | ha-'E-ven | H0068G | stoneאֶ֫בֶן (e.ven) : stone 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror … |
| the tin | הַבְּדִ֛יל | ha-be-DIL | H0913 | tinבְּדִיל (be.dil) 1) alloy, tin, dross 1a) of Israel (metaph.) |
| in [the] hand of | בְּיַ֥ד | be-YAD | H3027G | handיָד (yad) : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists |
| Zerubbabel | זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל | ze-ru-ba-VEL | H2216 | Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֫ל (ze.rub.ba.vel) A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.3.19; son of: Pedaiah (H6305H); brother of: Shimei (H8096J); father of: Meshullam (H4918H), Hananiah (H2608L), Shelomith (H8019I), Hashubah (H2807), Ohel (H0169), Berechiah (H1296), Hasadiah (H2619), Jushab-hesed (H3142) and Abiud (G0010); also called Sheshbazzar at Ezr.1.8,11; 5.14,16; KJV: Zorobabel at Mat.1.12,13; § Zerubbabel = "sown in Babylon" the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon |
| seven | שִׁבְעָה־ | shiv-'ah- | H7651 | sevenשֶׁ֫בַע (she.va) 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655) |
| these | אֵ֑לֶּה | 'E-leh | H0428 | theseאֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429) |
| [the] eyes of | עֵינֵ֣י | 'ei-NEI | H5869A | eyeעַ֫יִן (a.yin) : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.) |
| Yahweh | יְהוָ֔ה | YAH-weh | H3068G | Lordאֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G) |
| they | הֵ֥מָּה | HE-mah | H1992 | theyאִנּוּן (in.nun) these, those, they Aramaic of hem.mah (הֵ֫מָּה "they(masc.)" H1992) |
| [are] roving about | מְשׁוֹטְטִ֖ים | me-sho-TIM | H7751A | to roveשׁוּט (shut) 1) to go, go or rove about, go to and fro 1a) (Qal) to go or rove about 1b) (Polel) to go to and fro, go eagerly or quickly to and fro 1c) (Hithpolel) to run to and fro |
| in all | בְּכָל־ | be-khol | H3605 | allכֹּל (kol) 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606) |
| the earth | הָאָֽרֶץ׃ | ha-'A-retz | H0776G | land: country/planetאֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) : country/field 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.