Zechariah 4:12
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? | And I questioned him further, “What are the two olive branches beside the two gold pipes from which the golden oil pours?” | And I answered the second time, and said unto him, What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden oil out of themselves? |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedIn his night vision Zechariah sees a golden lampstand with two olive trees beside it. He asks once about the trees and gets no answer, so he asks again, more exactly, about the two branches that pour golden oil through two golden pipes. The angel answers that they are 'the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.' Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:3Zechariah 4:11Zechariah 4:12Zechariah 4:14
SpeakingZechariah the prophet, speaking to the angel that talked with him. Zechariah 4:1Zechariah 4:4Zechariah 4:12Zechariah overview
ToThe angel who explains the vision. The book itself is for the people of Judah back from exile, with Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest. Zechariah 4:5Zechariah 4:13Zechariah overview
Also involvedThe two olive branches, which the angel calls 'the two anointed ones' who stand by the LORD. Zechariah 4:12Zechariah 4:14
Zechariah asks what the two olive branches are that empty golden oil out of themselves through two golden pipes. The branches pour the oil out of themselves; no person is said to pour it. Zechariah 4:3Zechariah 4:12
The scene is a vision. Zechariah wrote from Jerusalem, among the people who had returned from Babylon. Zechariah 4:1Zechariah overview
The eventsThis is one of the eight night visions. Zechariah's dated messages run from Darius's second year, about 520 BC, while the temple was being rebuilt. Zechariah overviewHaggai 1:1
WrittenTraditional: written by Zechariah, 520-518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree chapters 1-8, which include this verse, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview
HereThe first question about the trees went unanswered, so Zechariah presses again, naming the branches, pipes and oil. This draws out the angel's explanation in verse 14. Zechariah 4:11Zechariah 4:12Zechariah 4:13Zechariah 4:14
In the whole of ScriptureThe angel ties the lampstand vision to a word for Zerubbabel: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.' In the vision no one pours the oil, which fits that message. Zerubbabel would finish the temple he had begun. Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 4:12Zechariah overview
For readersGod's work is done by his Spirit, not by human might or power. Readers are told not to despise 'the day of small things.' Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:10
Christians read this differently
The angel says the branches are 'the two anointed ones' but does not name them. Many read them as Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest, the two leaders the book addresses. Others also read them with Revelation 11:4, which speaks of 'the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.' Zechariah 4:14Zechariah overviewHaggai 1:1Revelation 11:4
- branches (clusters)שִׁבֹּ֫לֶת
The word is glossed 'clusters of' here and defined as an ear or head of grain, or a cluster. It pictures clusters on the olive trees, from which the oil pours. Strong's H7641BZechariah 4:12
- pipesצַנְתְּרוֹת
The lexicon defines it as 'pipes feeding lamps with oil.' In this verse the branches empty their oil through two golden pipes. Strong's H6804Zechariah 4:12
- emptyרִיק
It means to empty out or pour out. The branches empty the oil 'out of themselves,' so the oil comes from the branches themselves. Strong's H7324Zechariah 4:12
- goldenדְּהַב
The word means gold, rendered '<the> gold' here. The oil itself is described as gold, matching the golden lampstand and golden pipes. Strong's H2091Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:12
Takeaway
The lamp's oil flows from the two branches, 'the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth,' and not from human effort. The vision illustrates the word to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit.' Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:12Zechariah 4:14
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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and I answered | וָאַ֣עַן | va-'A-'an | H6030B | to answerעָנָה (a.nah) 1) to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to answer, respond to 1a2) to testify, respond as a witness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to make answer 1b2) to be answered, receive answer Aramaic equivalent: a.nah (עֲנָה "to answer" H6032) |
| a second [time] | שֵׁנִ֔ית | she-NIT | H8145 | secondשֵׁנִי (she.ni) 1) second 1a) second (the ordinal number) 1b) again (a second time) 1c) another, other (something as distinct from something else) |
| and I said | וָאֹמַ֖ר | va-'o-MAR | H0559 | to sayאָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560) |
| to him | אֵלָ֑יו | 'e-LAV | H0413 | to(wards)אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to) |
| what? | מַה־ | mah- | H4100 | whatמָא (ma) 1) what, whatever 1a) what? 1b) whatever, what, whatsoever 1c) how?, why?, wherefore? (with prefixes) |
| [are] [the] two | שְׁתֵּ֞י | she-TEI | H8147 | twoשְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number) |
| [the] clusters of | שִׁבֲּלֵ֣י | shi-ba-LEI | H7641B | earשִׁבֹּ֫לֶת (shib.bol) 1) ear (of grain), head of grain 1a) as growing 1b) cluster |
| the olive trees | הַזֵּיתִ֗ים | ha-zei-TIM | H2132H | oliveזַ֫יִת (za.yit) 1) olive, olive tree 1a) olive tree 1b) olives 2) mountain facing Jerusalem on the east side |
| which | אֲשֶׁר֙ | 'a-SHER | H0834A | whichאֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when |
| [are] at [the] hand of | בְּיַ֗ד | be-YAD | H3027K | 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 |
| [the] two | שְׁנֵי֙ | she-NEI | H8147 | twoשְׁנַ֫יִם (she.na.yim) 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number) |
| [the] pipes of | צַנְתְּר֣וֹת | tzan-te-ROT | H6804 | pipeצַנְתְּרוֹת (tsan.ta.rah) 1) pipe 1a) pipes feeding lamps with oil |
| the gold | הַזָּהָ֔ב | ha-za-HAV | H2091 | goldדְּהַב (de.hav) gold Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091) |
| which are pouring out | הַֽמְרִיקִ֥ים | ham-ri-KIM | H7324 | to emptyרִיק (ruq) 1) to make empty, empty out 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to empty, keep empty or hungry 1a2) to pour out or down 1a3) to empty out 1b) (Hophal) to be emptied out |
| from the on them | מֵעֲלֵיהֶ֖ם | me-'a-lei-HEM | H5921A | uponעַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) … |
| the gold | הַזָּהָֽב׃ | ha-za-HAV | H2091 | goldדְּהַב (de.hav) gold Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.