Zechariah 4

Text

Textual witnesses

Vision of the lampstand and olive trees (4:1–6)

Verse 6

• "Not by might": Zerubabbel's work will be accomplished through the grace of God alone. Septuagint: "not by great might;" but the Vulgate renders it: "not by an army." Zerubbabel might feel dispirited thinking how much there was to do with so few at his disposal, and how formidable the opposition, so this message reassure him of the promise of Divine aid, knowing that God regards him precious as a servant of the Lord, and governor of Judah.
• "But by my Spirit": the work is to be effected by the living Spirit of God, unaffected by man's weakness, because God's might will bring strength out of weakness. Also in the might of God's Spirit He appointed in the Church "first Apostles, then prophets and evangelists" 1 Corinthians 12:28, 'filling them with divine gifts and enriching them by the influx of His Spirit'.

  Oracle of response (4:7–14)

Jewish

• Christian