The fifth vision

1 The angel who talked with me returned and shook me as one does to wake another from sleep.

2 He asked, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on top. On the stand are seven lamps and there are seven pipes to feed them.

3 There are also two olive trees, one at the right of the bowl and another at the left.”

4 I asked the angel, “What are these, my Lord?”

5 He replied with a question, “Don’t you know what they are?” I answered, “No, my Lord.”

10b He explained, “These seven are the eyes of Yahweh which range throughout the earth.”

11 I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees to the right and left of the lamp stand?”

( 12 ) 13 His reply was a question. “Don’t you know what these are?” I answered, “No, my Lord.”

14 He said, “These are the two anointed with fresh oil, who serve the Lord of the whole earth.”

6 This is a word of Yahweh for Zerub babel, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”

7 “What are you, O mighty mountains? You will be leveled before Zerubbabel. He will quarry from you to the last stone which crowns the Temple amid shouts of: blessing, blessing on it!”

8 The word of Yahweh then came to me,

9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this House; his hands also shall finish it. (Then you will know that Yahweh Sabaoth has sent me to you.)

10 Perhaps the beginning seems a small thing to you, yet you will rejoice on that day to see the crowning stone in the hands of Ze rubbabel.”

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Comments Zechariah, Chapter 4

• 4.1 Fifth vision: the new Israel will be subject to civil and religious authorities and both will be faithful to God.

Sixth vision: criminals and thieves will be expelled from the new city.

Seventh vision: evil itself will be rejected.

Eighth vision: those sent by the Lord already prepare the realization of his plan for Salvation.