The Meaning of Zechariah 4:14 Explained

Zechariah 4:14

KJV: Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

YLT: And he saith, 'These are the two sons of the oil, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.'

Darby: And he said, These are the two sons of oil, that stand before the Lord of the whole earth.

ASV: Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Discover Zechariah 4:14

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Zechariah 4:14?

MEANING: What does Zechariah 4:14 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Zechariah 4:14 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Zechariah 4:14?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then said  he, These [are] the two  anointed  ones,  that stand  by the Lord  of the whole earth. 

What does Zechariah 4:14 Mean?

Verse Meaning

He then said that the two branches represented the two anointed ones who stood by the Lord of all the earth. It was their relationship to the Lord that equipped them for their tasks. "Anointed ones" is literally "sons of oil."
"The phrase "sons of oil" is typically interpreted to mean that the two individuals mentioned were anointed with oil as the Lord"s special servants (see NIV). However, the word for "oil" used here (Heb. yitshar) does not refer to anointing oil elsewhere (the Hebrew term for such oil is shemen) but to fresh oil that symbolizes a land"s agricultural abundance. [1] It is more likely, then, that the individuals are called "sons of oil" because under their leadership the Lord would restore agricultural prosperity to the land (see Zechariah 3:10, as well as Haggai 2:19). These "sons of oil" were, of course, the high priest Joshua and the governor Zerubbabel (see Zechariah 3:1-10; Zechariah 4:7-10; Zechariah 6:9-15)." [2]
Nevertheless, the earlier reference to the Spirit"s enablement ( Zechariah 4:6) presents these "sons of oil" as empowered by Him. [2]3
Zerubbabel and Joshua point ultimately to the Messiah who combined the royal and priestly offices and functions in one person, the Branch ( Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; cf. Psalm 110; Hebrews 7). Some of the Jews in Jesus" day (e.g, the Qumran community) expected two Messiahs, a princely one and a priestly one. [4] In the Tribulation two other special witnesses will appear (cf. Revelation 11:3-12).
The point of this vision and its accompanying oracles was the Lord"s ability to bring a seemingly impossible project to completion successfully and gloriously through His anointed servants (Messiah, and Zerubbabel and Joshua) and His supernatural enablement (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9). The lesson is applicable to any project that God has ordained and called His people to execute, including rebuilding the temple and building the church ( Matthew 16:18).

Context Summary

Zechariah 4:1-14 - "not By Might Nor By Power"
Zerubbabel had faltered in the great work of reconstruction and had practically lost heart. Here he is encouraged to renew his efforts and persevere to the top-stone. He might be weak and flexible as a wick but none of his deficiencies could hinder him from finishing his life-work, if only his spirit was kindled with the divine fire and fed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. [source]

Chapter Summary: Zechariah 4

1  By the golden candlestick is foreshown the good success of Zerubbabel's foundation;
11  by the two olive trees the two anointed ones

What do the individual words in Zechariah 4:14 mean?

So he said these [are] two ones the anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of all the earth
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֵ֖לֶּה שְׁנֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־ הַיִּצְהָ֑ר הָעֹמְדִ֖ים עַל־ אֲד֥וֹן כָּל־ הָאָֽרֶץ

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר  So  he  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֵ֖לֶּה  these  [are] 
Parse: Pronoun, common plural
Root: אֵהֶל 
Sense: these.
שְׁנֵ֣י  two 
Parse: Number, mdc
Root: שְׁנַיִם  
Sense: two.
בְנֵֽי־  ones 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
הַיִּצְהָ֑ר  the  anointed  ones 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִצְהָר  
Sense: fresh oil, shining (pure) oil.
הָעֹמְדִ֖ים  who  stand 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: עָמַד  
Sense: to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand.
עַל־  beside 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: 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.
אֲד֥וֹן  the  Lord 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אָדֹון  
Sense: firm, strong, lord, master.
כָּל־  of  all 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
הָאָֽרֶץ  the  earth 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.

What are the major concepts related to Zechariah 4:14?

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