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Selected Verse: Zechariah 4:2 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Zec 4:2 |
Strong Concordance |
And said [0559] unto me, What seest [07200] thou? And I said [0559], I have looked [07200], and behold a candlestick [04501] all of gold [02091], with a bowl [01531] upon the top [07218] of it, and his seven [07651] lamps [05216] thereon, and seven [07651] pipes [04166] to the seven [07651] lamps [05216], which are upon the top [07218] thereof: |
|
King James |
And 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: |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
candlestick--symbolizing the Jewish theocracy; and ultimately, the Church of which the Jewish portion is to be the head: the light-bearer (so the original is of "lights," Mat 5:14, Mat 5:16; Phi 2:15) to the world.
all . . . gold--all pure in doctrine and practice, precious and indestructible; such is the true ideal of the Church; such she shall be (Psa 45:13).
bowl upon the top--In the candlestick of the tabernacle the plural is used, bowls (Exo. 25:1-31:18). The Hebrew implies that it was the fountain of supply of oil to the lamps. Christ at the head ("on the top") of the Church is the true fountain, of whose fulness of the Spirit all we receive grace (Joh 1:16).
his seven lamps--united in one stem; so in Exo 25:32. But in Rev 1:12 the seven candlesticks are separate. The Gentile churches will not realize their unity till the Jewish Church as the stem unites all the lamps in one candlestick (Rom 11:16-24). The "seven lamps," in Rev 4:5, are the "seven Spirits of God."
seven pipes--feeding tubes, seven apiece from the "bowl" to each lamp (see Margin) [MAURER and CALVIN]; literally, "seven and seven": forty-nine in all. The greater the number of oil-feeding pipes, the brighter the light of the lamps. The explanation in Zac 4:6 is, that man's power by itself can neither retard nor advance God's work, that the real motive-power is God's Spirit. The seven times seven imply the manifold modes by which the Spirit's grace is imparted to the Church in her manifold work of enlightening the world. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And I said, I have looked and behold a candlestick all of gold - The candlestick is the seven-branched candlestick of the tabernacle Exo 25:31, but with variations purposely introduced to symbolize the fuller and more constant supply of the oil, itself the symbol of God's Holy Spirit, who:
"Enables with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight."
The first variation is "her bowl on the top of the candlestick," containing the oil; then (as dependent on this) the pipes to derive the oil into each lamp, "seven several pipes to the seven lamps," that is, seven to each; and the two olive trees on either side of the bowl, whose extreme and fine branches poured through two golden pipes the golden oil into the bowl which supplied the lamp. The multiplied conduits imply the large and perfect supply of oil unceasingly supplied, the seven being symbolic of perfection or of the reconciling of God (symbolized by 3) unto the world (symbolized by 4, its four quarters); the spontaneous flow of the golden oil from the olive trees symbolizes the free gift of God. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
And I said
The vision of the candlestick and olive trees (Literally, trees of oil) is, as we know, from (Rev 11:3-12) a prophecy to be fulfilled in the last days of the present age. That which marks the ministry of the "two witnesses" (Rev 11:3); (Rev 11:4) is power.
Compare (Zac 4:6).
In measure this power would rest upon Zerubbabel, who, having begun the restoration temple of Zechariah's time, would finish it (Zac 4:9) laying the "headstone" amid the shoutings of the people. The whole scene forms a precursive fulfilment of the ministry of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 and of the coming of the true "headstone," Prince Messiah, of whom prince Zerubbabel is a type. Oil is a uniform symbol of the Spirit.
(See Scofield) - (Act 2:4).
Joshua and Zerubbabel were doubtless the two olive trees for that day, as the two witnesses of Revelation 11 may, in turn, but point to Christ as Priest-King in the kingdom-age. (Zac 6:12); (Zac 6:13). |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
With a bowl - Or basin. His seven lamps - The temple candlestick had just so many. And seven pipes - So each of the lamps had a pipe reaching from it to the bowl. On the top - These lamps were so set, as to stand somewhat higher than the body of the candlestick. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
A candlestick all of gold - This candlestick is formed in some measure after that of the sanctuary, Exo 25:31, Exo 25:32 : but in that of the sanctuary there was no bowl, nor seven pipes, nor seven lamps, nor the two olive trees. The two olive trees were to supply the bowl with oil; the bowl was to communicate the oil to the seven pipes; and the seven pipes were to supply the seven lamps. In general, the candlestick, its bowl, pipes, lamps, and olive trees, are emblems of the pure service of God, and the grace and salvation to be enjoyed by his true worshippers. The candlestick may, however, represent the whole Jewish state, ecclesiastical and civil; the oil, producing the light, the grace and mercy of God; and the two olive trees, the source of infinite love, whence that grace proceeds. The pipes may signify all means of grace; and the seven lamps, the perfection and abundance of the light and salvation provided. Some may take them in the following way: -
1. The olive trees, the Divine goodness, yield the oil from the olive berry, which is its fruit.
2. From each comes a pipe to convey the oil to the bowl.
3. This oil is collected in the bowl, which is supposed to represent Jesus, the great Mediator, through whom alone all grace and mercy descend to man.
4. The seven pipes, the various means of grace - reading, hearing, prayer, sacraments, etc. - through which Christ dispenses his grace and blessing to his followers.
5. The seven lamps - the Spirit of God in its plentitude of graces, gifts, and light, dispensed to the Christian Church. |
6 Then he answered [06030] and spake [0559] unto me, saying [0559], This is the word [01697] of the LORD [03068] unto Zerubbabel [02216], saying [0559], Not by might [02428], nor by power [03581], but by my spirit [07307], saith [0559] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635].
5 And [2532] out of [1537] the throne [2362] proceeded [1607] lightnings [796] and [2532] thunderings [1027] and [2532] voices [5456]: and [2532] there were seven [2033] lamps [2985] of fire [4442] burning [2545] before [1799] the throne [2362], which [3739] are [1526] the seven [2033] Spirits [4151] of God [2316].
16 For [1161] if [1487] the firstfruit [536] be holy [40], the lump [5445] is also [2532] holy: and [2532] if [1487] the root [4491] be holy [40], so [2532] are the branches [2798].
17 And [1161] if some [1536] of the branches [2798] be broken off [1575], and [1161] thou [4771], being [5607] a wild olive tree [65], wert graffed in [1461] among [1722] them [846], and [2532] with [4791] them [1096] partakest [4791] of the root [4491] and [2532] fatness [4096] of the olive tree [1636];
18 Boast [2620] not [3361] against [2620] the branches [2798]. But [1161] if [1487] thou boast [2620], thou [4771] bearest [941] not [3756] the root [4491], but [235] the root [4491] thee [4571].
19 Thou wilt say [2046] then [3767], The branches [2798] were broken off [1575], that [2443] I [1473] might be graffed in [1461].
20 Well [2573]; because of unbelief [570] they were broken off [1575], and [1161] thou [4771] standest [2476] by faith [4102]. Be [5309] not [3361] highminded [5309], but [235] fear [5399]:
21 For [1063] if [1487] God [2316] spared [5339] not [3756] the natural [5449] branches [2798] [2596], take heed lest [4458] [3381] he [5339] also [3381] spare [5339] not [3761] thee [4675].
22 Behold [1492] therefore [3767] the goodness [5544] and [2532] severity [663] of God [2316]: on [1909] them which fell [4098] [3303], severity [663]; but [1161] toward [1909] thee [4571], goodness [5544], if [1437] thou continue [1961] in his goodness [5544]: otherwise [1893] thou [4771] also [2532] shalt be cut off [1581].
23 And [1161] they [1565] also [2532], if [3362] they abide [1961] not [3362] still in unbelief [570], shall be graffed in [1461]: for [1063] God [2316] is [2076] able [1415] to graff [1461] them [846] in [1461] again [3825].
24 For [1063] if [1487] thou [4771] wert cut [1581] out of [1537] the olive tree which is wild [65] by [2596] nature [5449], and [2532] wert graffed [1461] contrary to [3844] nature [5449] into [1519] a good olive tree [2565]: how much [4214] more [3123] shall these [3778], which be the natural [2596] [5449] branches, be graffed into [1461] their own [2398] olive tree [1636]?
12 And [2532] I turned [1994] to see [991] the voice [5456] that [3748] spake [2980] with [3326] me [1700]. And [2532] being turned [1994], I saw [1492] seven [2033] golden [5552] candlesticks [3087];
32 And six [08337] branches [07070] shall come [03318] out of the sides [06654] of it; three [07969] branches [07070] of the candlestick [04501] out of the one [0259] side [06654], and three [07969] branches [07070] of the candlestick [04501] out of the other [08145] side [06654]:
16 And [2532] of [1537] his [846] fulness [4138] have [2983] all [3956] we [2249] received [2983], and [2532] grace [5485] for [473] grace [5485].
13 The king's [04428] daughter [01323] is all glorious [03520] within [06441]: her clothing [03830] is of wrought [04865] gold [02091].
15 That [2443] ye may be [1096] blameless [273] and [2532] harmless [185], the sons [5043] of God [2316], without rebuke [298], in [1722] the midst [3319] of a crooked [4646] and [2532] perverse [1294] nation [1074], among [1722] whom [3739] ye shine [5316] as [5613] lights [5458] in [1722] the world [2889];
16 Let your [5216] light [5457] so [3779] shine [2989] before [1715] men [444], that [3704] they may see [1492] your [5216] good [2570] works [2041], and [2532] glorify [1392] your [5216] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772].
14 Ye [5210] are [2075] the light [5457] of the world [2889]. A city [4172] that is set [2749] on [1883] an hill [3735] cannot [3756] [1410] be hid [2928].
31 And thou shalt make [06213] a candlestick [04501] of pure [02889] gold [02091]: of beaten work [04749] shall the candlestick [04501] be made [06213]: his shaft [03409], and his branches [07070], his bowls [01375], his knops [03730], and his flowers [06525], shall be of the same.
13 Even he shall build [01129] the temple [01964] of the LORD [03068]; and he shall bear [05375] the glory [01935], and shall sit [03427] and rule [04910] upon his throne [03678]; and he shall be a priest [03548] upon his throne [03678]: and the counsel [06098] of peace [07965] shall be between them both [08147].
12 And speak [0559] unto him, saying [0559], Thus speaketh [0559] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], saying [0559], Behold the man [0376] whose name [08034] is The BRANCH [06780]; and he shall grow up [06779] out of his place, and he shall build [01129] the temple [01964] of the LORD [03068]:
4 And [2532] they were [4130] all [537] filled [4130] with the Holy [40] Ghost [4151], and [2532] began [756] to speak with [2980] other [2087] tongues [1100], as [2531] the Spirit [4151] gave [1325] them [846] utterance [669].
9 The hands [03027] of Zerubbabel [02216] have laid the foundation [03245] of this house [01004]; his hands [03027] shall also finish [01214] it; and thou shalt know [03045] that the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] hath sent [07971] me unto you.
6 Then he answered [06030] and spake [0559] unto me, saying [0559], This is the word [01697] of the LORD [03068] unto Zerubbabel [02216], saying [0559], Not by might [02428], nor by power [03581], but by my spirit [07307], saith [0559] the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635].
4 These [3778] are [1526] the two [1417] olive [1636] trees, and [2532] the two [1417] candlesticks [3087] standing [2476] before [1799] the God [2316] of the earth [1093].
3 And [2532] I will give [1325] power unto my [3450] two [1417] witnesses [3144], and [2532] they shall prophesy [4395] a thousand [5507] two hundred [1250] and threescore [1835] days [2250], clothed in [4016] sackcloth [4526].
3 And [2532] I will give [1325] power unto my [3450] two [1417] witnesses [3144], and [2532] they shall prophesy [4395] a thousand [5507] two hundred [1250] and threescore [1835] days [2250], clothed in [4016] sackcloth [4526].
4 These [3778] are [1526] the two [1417] olive [1636] trees, and [2532] the two [1417] candlesticks [3087] standing [2476] before [1799] the God [2316] of the earth [1093].
5 And [2532] if any man [1536] [846] will [2309] hurt [91] them [846], fire [4442] proceedeth [1607] out of [1537] their [846] mouth [4750], and [2532] devoureth [2719] their [846] enemies [2190]: and [2532] if any man [1536] will [2309] hurt [91] them [846], he must [1163] in this manner [3779] be killed [615].
6 These [3778] have [2192] power [1849] to shut [2808] heaven [3772], that [3363] it rain [1026] [5205] not [3363] in [1722] the days [2250] of their [846] prophecy [4394]: and [2532] have [2192] power [1849] over [1909] waters [5204] to turn [4762] them [846] to [1519] blood [129], and [2532] to smite [3960] the earth [1093] with all [3956] plagues [4127], as often [3740] as [1437] they will [2309].
7 And [2532] when [3752] they shall have finished [5055] their [846] testimony [3141], the beast [2342] that ascendeth [305] out of [1537] the bottomless pit [12] shall make [4160] war [4171] against [3326] them [846], and [2532] shall overcome [3528] them [846], and [2532] kill [615] them [846].
8 And [2532] their [846] dead bodies [4430] shall lie in [1909] the street [4113] of the great [3173] city [4172], which [3748] spiritually [4153] is called [2564] Sodom [4670] and [2532] Egypt [125], where [3699] also [2532] our [2257] Lord [2962] was crucified [4717].
9 And [2532] they [991] of [1537] the people [2992] and [2532] kindreds [5443] and [2532] tongues [1100] and [2532] nations [1484] shall see [991] their [846] dead bodies [4430] three [5140] days [2250] and [2532] an half [2255], and [2532] shall [863] not [3756] suffer [863] their [846] dead bodies [4430] to be put [5087] in [1519] graves [3418].
10 And [2532] they that dwell [2730] upon [1909] the earth [1093] shall rejoice [5463] over [1909] them [846], and [2532] make merry [2165], and [2532] shall send [3992] gifts [1435] one to another [240]; because [3754] these [3778] two [1417] prophets [4396] tormented [928] them that dwelt [2730] on [1909] the earth [1093].
11 And [2532] after [3326] three [5140] days [2250] and [2532] an half [2255] the Spirit [4151] of life [2222] from [1537] God [2316] entered [1525] into [1909] them [846], and [2532] they stood [2476] upon [1909] their [846] feet [4228]; and [2532] great [3173] fear [5401] fell [4098] upon [1909] them which saw [2334] them [846].
12 And [2532] they heard [191] a great [3173] voice [5456] from [1537] heaven [3772] saying [3004] unto them [846], Come up [305] hither [5602]. And [2532] they ascended up [305] to [1519] heaven [3772] in [1722] a cloud [3507]; and [2532] their [846] enemies [2190] beheld [2334] them [846].
32 And six [08337] branches [07070] shall come [03318] out of the sides [06654] of it; three [07969] branches [07070] of the candlestick [04501] out of the one [0259] side [06654], and three [07969] branches [07070] of the candlestick [04501] out of the other [08145] side [06654]:
31 And thou shalt make [06213] a candlestick [04501] of pure [02889] gold [02091]: of beaten work [04749] shall the candlestick [04501] be made [06213]: his shaft [03409], and his branches [07070], his bowls [01375], his knops [03730], and his flowers [06525], shall be of the same.