BibleWord.ai› Bible› Zechariah› Chapter 4› Verse 3

Zechariah 4:3

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 4:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
Zechariah 4:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.
2And 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;
3and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
4And 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 are? And I said, No, my lord.
6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.
← Zechariah 4:2Zechariah 4:4 →
← Full Chapter 4 Zechariah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the two olive trees by it, etc.] Which are explained in, (see Gill on “<380414>Zechariah 4:14”): one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof; in (<380411>Zechariah 4:11) they are said to be on the right and left sides of the bowl or candlestick, which is the same; for the situation of them was alike, with respect to the one and the other: according to Fortunatus Scacchus, these two olive trees did not arise out of the earth, and the top of the candlestick; but out of the base of the candlestick, one on the right hand of the bowl, which hung in the middle of the candlestick; and the other on the leftf86, of which he has given the figure.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“two olive trees--supplying oil to the bowl. The Holy Ghost, who fills with His fulness Messiah (the anointed: the "bowl"), from whom flow supplies of grace to the Church. by it--literally, "upon it," that is, growing so as somewhat to overtop it. For the explanation of the "two" see Zac 4:12, Zac 4:14.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Two olive - trees by it - All which is an emblem of the church, made of pure gold; to be a light in the world; to shine as lamps that continually burn, maintained with pure oil, distilled from the olive - trees, not pressed out by man, but continually, abundantly, and freely flowing from God. Zechariah 4:6”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Zac 4:11, Zac 4:12, Zac 4:14; Jdg 9:9; Rom 11:17, Rom 11:24; Rev 11:4 Zechariah 4:4”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Zechariah 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification