Zechariah 4

Zechariah · Chapter 4

Zechariah 4:2

1And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,2And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:3And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.4So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?5Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.7Who 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.8Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,9The 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.10For 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.11Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?12And 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?13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
2And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:“What do you see?” he asked. “I see a solid gold lampstand,” I replied, “with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven spouts to the lamps.And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, and, behold, a candlestick all of gold, with its bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are upon the top thereof;

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

The angel wakes Zechariah and asks what he sees. He describes an all-gold lampstand with a bowl on top, seven lamps, and seven pipes feeding them, with two olive trees beside it. The angel explains that it carries God's word to Zerubbabel: the temple will be finished "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Zechariah 4:1Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:3Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9

SpeakingZechariah the prophet is telling what he saw, in answer to the angel's question "What seest thou?" Zechariah 4:1Zechariah 4:2Zechariah overview

ToThe vision was given for the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. It was especially for Zerubbabel the governor, who was rebuilding the temple. Zechariah overviewZechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9

Also involvedZerubbabel is the one the vision's message is addressed to. The two olive trees are called "the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth." Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:7Zechariah 4:14

This is the opening picture of a vision: a gold lampstand with a bowl on top and seven pipes leading to its seven lamps. Beside it stand two olive trees, whose branches empty "golden oil" through two golden pipes. The angel ties the picture to God's Spirit doing the work, and calls "those seven" "the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth." Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:3Zechariah 4:12Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:10

Zechariah was in Jerusalem among the returned exiles, where the temple was being rebuilt. The lampstand itself is seen in a vision. Zechariah overviewZechariah 4:9

JUDAHMediterranean SeaJerusalemTyreSidonDamascusHamath 1GazaAshdodMegiddo

The eventsThe vision is one of Zechariah's night visions, given in the reign of Darius king of Persia, about 520 BC. Work on the temple had stopped under opposition and was starting again. Zechariah overview

WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most agree chapters 1-8, including this vision, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Many assign chapters 9-14 to a later writer or writers, while others hold that Zechariah wrote the whole book. Zechariah overview

HereThe picture sets up God's answer to the builder Zerubbabel. He laid the temple's foundation and "his hands shall also finish it." The work will succeed by God's Spirit, so no one should despise "the day of small things." Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 4:10Zechariah overview

In the whole of ScriptureThe gold lampstand recalls the one God commanded for the tabernacle, made "of pure gold." The temple's gold candlesticks were carried off when Jerusalem fell. Revelation later shows "seven lamps of fire" before God's throne, "which are the seven Spirits of God," and John sees "seven golden candlesticks." Exodus 25:31Jeremiah 52:19Revelation 4:5Revelation 1:12

For readersIn the vision the oil for the lamps comes from the olive trees beside the lampstand. The angel's word that goes with it is that God's work is carried on "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:12Zechariah 4:6

Christians read this differently

The chapter names "those seven" as "the eyes of the LORD" and the olive trees as "the two anointed ones." It does not say directly what the lampstand as a whole stands for. Some read it as God's people or temple community, set to shine as a light (compare Matthew 5:14, 16). Others read it mainly as a picture of God's own Spirit and watchful presence (compare Zechariah 4:6, 10 and Revelation 4:5). Zechariah 4:10Zechariah 4:14Zechariah 4:6Matthew 5:14Matthew 5:16Revelation 4:5

  • candlestickמְנוֹרָה
    Hebrew · me.no.rah · H4501

    The word means a "lamp stand," a stand that holds lamps, not a candle. Its gold matches the tabernacle's candlestick, which was made "of pure gold." Strong's H4501Exodus 25:31Zechariah 4:2

  • bowlגֹּל
    Hebrew · gol · H1543

    The word means a bowl or basin, and can be used of the bowl of a lamp. Here it sits on top of the lampstand, with the seven lamps on the lampstand. Strong's H1543Zechariah 4:2

  • pipesמוּצֶ֫קֶת
    Hebrew · mu.tsa.qah · H4166

    The word can mean a pipe or a casting. Here seven pipes lead to the seven lamps. Strong's H4166Zechariah 4:2

Takeaway

Zechariah's golden lampstand, with oil flowing from the olive trees beside it, comes with God's promise that the rebuilt temple would be finished. It would be done "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:6Zechariah 4:9Zechariah 4:12

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
  1. 539 BC
    WarBabylon 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

  2. 538 BC
    God'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

  3. c. 536 BC
    God'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

  4. 525 BC
    WarPersia 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

  5. 522-521 BC
    WarDarius 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

  6. 520 BC
    God'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

  7. c. 520-519 BC
    RulersDarius 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

  8. 515 BC
    BuildingThe 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

  9. 490-479 BC
    WarPersia'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

  10. 445 BC
    BuildingNehemiah 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

  11. 332 BC
    WarAlexander 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

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
and he saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai-YO-merH0559
to say

אָמַר (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 meאֵלַ֔י'e-LAIH0413
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?מָ֥הmahH4100
what

מָא (ma) 1) what, whatever 1a) what? 1b) whatever, what, whatsoever 1c) how?, why?, wherefore? (with prefixes)

[are] youאַתָּ֖ה'a-TAHH0859A
you

אַנְתָּה (an.tah) you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

seeingרֹאֶ֑הro-'EHH7200G
to see: see

רָאָה (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) …

and I saidוָאֹמַ֡רvai-yo-merH0559
to say

אָמַר (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)

I seeרָאִ֣יתִי׀ra-'I-tiH7200G
to see: see

רָאָה (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) …

and there!וְהִנֵּ֣הve-hi-NEHH2009
behold

הִנֵּה (hin.neh) behold, lo, see, if

a lampstand ofמְנוֹרַת֩me-no-RATH4501
lampstand

מְנוֹרָה (me.no.rah) lamp stand

goldזָהָ֨בza-HAVH2091
gold

דְּהַב (de.hav) gold Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091)

all of itכֻּלָּ֜הּku-LAHH3605
all

כֹּל (kol) 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

and a bowlוְגֻלָּ֣הּve-gu-LAHH1543
bowl

גֹּל (gol) 1) bowl, basin 1a) basin 1b) bowl 1b1) of a lamp 1b2) of bowl shaped portion of capitals of the two pillars in the temple

[is] onעַל־'al-H5921A
upon

עַל (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) …

top itsרֹאשָׁ֗הּro-SHAHH7218INo entry
and sevenוְשִׁבְעָ֤הve-shiv-'AHH7651
seven

שֶׁ֫בַע (she.va) 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)

lamps itsנֵרֹתֶ֙יהָ֙ne-ro-TEI-haH5216A
lamp

נֵר (ner) lamp Also means: nir (נִיר "lamp" H5216B)

[are] on itעָלֶ֔יהָ'a-LEI-haH5921A
upon

עַל (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) …

sevenשִׁבְעָ֤הshiv-'AHH7651
seven

שֶׁ֫בַע (she.va) 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)

and sevenוְשִׁבְעָה֙ve-shiv-'AHH7651
seven

שֶׁ֫בַע (she.va) 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)

pipesמֽוּצָק֔וֹתmu-tza-KOTH4166
casting

מוּצֶ֫קֶת (mu.tsa.qah) 1) pipe 2) a casting

[belong] to the lampsלַנֵּר֖וֹתla-ne-ROTH5216A
lamp

נֵר (ner) lamp Also means: nir (נִיר "lamp" H5216B)

whichאֲשֶׁ֥ר'a-SHERH0834A
which

אֲשֶׁר (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] onעַל־'al-H5921A
upon

עַל (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) …

top itsרֹאשָֽׁהּ׃ro-SHAHH7218INo entry

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.