BibleWord.ai› Bible› Zechariah› Chapter 4› Verse 5

Zechariah 4:5

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zechariah 4:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.
Zechariah 4:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Zechariah 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
7Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel [thou shalt become] a plain; and he shall bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it.
8Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
← Zechariah 4:4Zechariah 4:6 →
← 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
“Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, etc.] Either to upbraid him with his ignorance and stupidity; or rather to quicken his attention, and that of others, to the interpretation of it he was about to give him: Knowest thou not what these be? art thou ignorant of the design of them? or knowest thou not what is meant by them? and I said, No, my lord; he made an ingenuous confession of his ignorance, joined with great respect unto, and veneration of, the angel that conversed with him.”
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
“Knowest thou not, &c.--Not a reproof of his ignorance, but a stimulus to reflection on the mystery. No, my lord--ingenious confession of ignorance; as a little child he casts himself for instruction at the feet of the Lord.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Knowest: Zac 4:13; Mar 4:13 No: Gen 41:16; Psa 139:6; Dan 2:30; Co1 2:12-15 Zechariah 4:6”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

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

Sources and verification