So he saidThis phrase indicates a response or explanation, often seen in prophetic visions where an angel or divine messenger provides clarity. In Zechariah's visions, the angel frequently interprets the imagery for the prophet, emphasizing the importance of divine revelation in understanding God's plans.
These are the two anointed ones
The "two anointed ones" refer to Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor, representing the priestly and kingly offices in Israel. Anointing with oil was a significant ritual in ancient Israel, symbolizing consecration and empowerment by the Holy Spirit. This dual leadership foreshadows the roles of Christ as both King and Priest, as seen inHebrews 7:17, where Jesus is described as a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
who are standing beside
Standing beside indicates a position of service and readiness to act on behalf of the Lord. In ancient Near Eastern culture, standing beside a ruler or deity signified honor, authority, and a close relationship. This imagery underscores the roles of Joshua and Zerubbabel as divinely appointed leaders during the post-exilic period.
the Lord of all the earth
This title emphasizes God's sovereignty over all creation, not just Israel. It reflects the universal reign of God, a theme prevalent throughout the prophetic books. The phrase connects toPsalm 24:1, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it," highlighting God's ultimate authority and the global scope of His kingdom. This also points to the eschatological hope of God's reign being fully realized through Christ, as seen inRevelation 11:15, where the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of our Lord.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
ZechariahA prophet who received visions from God during the post-exilic period, encouraging the rebuilding of the temple and the spiritual renewal of Israel.
2.
The Two Anointed OnesOften interpreted as Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest, who were instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of worship in Jerusalem.
3.
The Lord of all the EarthRefers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and authority over all creation.
4.
The Vision of the Lampstand and Olive TreesThis vision in
Zechariah 4 symbolizes God's provision and the empowering of His leaders through the Holy Spirit.
5.
Post-Exilic JerusalemThe historical context in which the Jewish people were returning from Babylonian exile to rebuild the temple and restore their community.
Teaching Points
God's Empowerment for ServiceJust as Zerubbabel and Joshua were anointed for their roles, God empowers His people today through the Holy Spirit to fulfill their callings.
The Importance of Spiritual LeadershipSpiritual leaders, like the two anointed ones, play a crucial role in guiding and rebuilding the community of faith.
Dependence on God's SpiritThe vision emphasizes that success in God's work is not by human might or power but by His Spirit, reminding us to rely on divine strength.
God's Sovereignty and AuthorityRecognizing God as the "Lord of all the earth" encourages believers to trust in His ultimate control and plan.
Faithfulness in Times of RebuildingThe post-exilic context teaches us the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in times of restoration and renewal.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Zechariah 4:14?
2.How do the "two anointed ones" in Zechariah 4:14 relate to church leadership?
3.What does Zechariah 4:14 teach about God's provision for His people?
4.How can we recognize God's anointed leaders in our community today?
5.Connect Zechariah 4:14 with Revelation 11:4 regarding the "two olive trees."
6.How does understanding Zechariah 4:14 strengthen our faith in God's sovereignty?
7.What is the significance of the "two anointed ones" in Zechariah 4:14?
8.How do the "two anointed ones" relate to the broader message of Zechariah?
9.What historical context influences the interpretation of Zechariah 4:14?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 4?
11.Where is Jesus expected to return?
12.What are Zechariah's prophecies about Jerusalem's future?
13.Who is the one true God?
14.Zechariah 13:7 - Who is the 'shepherd' in this verse, and why does the text imply that God himself would strike him, which seems contradictory to other passages?What Does Zechariah 4:14 Mean
So he saidThe angel who had been guiding Zechariah finally answers the prophet’s repeated question about the vision (Zechariah 4:4-5). Scripture often shows God explaining His revelations at just the right moment, such as when Jesus interpreted parables for His disciples (Mark 4:34) or when the risen Lord opened the Scriptures to the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27). Here, the same gracious pattern appears:
• God does not leave His people in the dark; He “gives wisdom generously” (James 1:5).
• The explanation ties the vision directly to God’s ongoing work in Jerusalem, echoing the earlier word, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6).
These are the two anointed ones“Anointed” points to those set apart and empowered by God’s Spirit for specific service. In Zechariah’s day the two anointed figures are:
• Joshua the high priest (Zechariah 3:1-5)
• Zerubbabel the governor from David’s line (Haggai 1:1;Zechariah 4:7-10)
Together they embody priestly and royal leadership—offices that God Himself established (Exodus 29:7;2 Samuel 7:16). Their joint appearance anticipates the perfect union of priest and king in Messiah (Zechariah 6:11-13;Hebrews 7:25-26).Revelation 11:4 deliberately echoes this verse, showing that the pattern of “two anointed ones” will appear again in the end times with the two witnesses.
who are standingTo “stand” before the Lord pictures constant readiness and faithful service, as the priests did daily (Deuteronomy 10:8) and as Elijah declared, “I stand before the LORD, the God of Israel” (1 Kings 17:1). The posture implies:
• Alertness to receive commands (Luke 1:19, Gabriel “stands in the presence of God”).
• Stability—God keeps His servants upright when opposition comes (Psalm 20:8).
• Endurance; they remain unshaken because they rely on the Spirit’s unending supply of “oil” from the olive trees (Zechariah 4:12-14).
beside the Lord of all the earthThe title underscores God’s universal authority (Joshua 3:11;Psalm 97:5). Standing “beside” Him signals intimate access and delegated authority:
• Their work to rebuild the temple carries heaven’s full backing (Zechariah 8:9).
• What begins in a local project points outward to God’s global reign, foreshadowed when the future witnesses “stand before the Lord of the earth” (Revelation 11:4).
• The scene assures the returning exiles—and us—that no earthly power can thwart the Lord who rules every nation and resource (Isaiah 40:15).
summary• The angel identifies Joshua and Zerubbabel as God’s Spirit-empowered servants—“the two anointed ones.”
• Their continual standing shows faithful, ready service sustained by divine provision.
• Their position beside “the Lord of all the earth” guarantees success, because God’s sovereign plan cannot fail.
• The verse affirms that God supplies what His people need to accomplish His work, points forward to Messiah who unites priest and king, and foreshadows the future witnesses who will stand, empowered, in the last days.
Verse 14. -
The two anointed ones; literally,
the two sons of oil; so the Revised Version; Vulgate,
filii olei; Septuagint,
υἱοὶ τῆςπιότητος, "sons of fatness" (comp.
Isaiah 5:1). By them are intended the two powers, the regal and the sacerdotal, through which God's help and protection are dispensed to the theocracy. Oil was used in appointing to both these offices (comp.
Leviticus 21:10;
1 Samuel 10:1). The expression, "son of," in many cases denotes a quality or property, like "son of Belial," "son of might;" so here Dr. Alexander considers that "sons of oil" means people possessed of oil, oil bearers, channels through which the oil flowed to others. Zerubbabel and Joshua are representatives of the civil and priestly authorities, but the text seems expressly to avoid naming any human agents, in order to show that the symbol must not be limited to individuals. Nor, indeed, must it be confined to the Jewish Church and state; it looks forward to the time when Jew and Gentile shall unite in upholding the Church of God.
That stand by the Lord of the whole earth;i.e. ready as his ministers to do him service. There is a reference to this passage in
Revelation 11:4, where the "two witnesses" are called "the two olive trees.., standing Before the Lord of the earth" (Perowne). The vision, as we have seen, prefigures primarily the completion of the temple and the restoration of its worship, and secondly the establishment of the Christian Church by the advent of Messiah. The several parts of the vision may be thus explained. The candelabrum is a symbol of the Jewish Church and theocracy, in accordance with the imagery in the Apocalypse, where the seven candlesticks are seven Churches (
Revelation 1:20). It is made of gold as precious in God's sight, and to be kept pure and unalloyed; it is placed in the sanctuary, and has seven lamps, to indicate that it is bright with the grace of God, and is meant to shed its light around at all times, as Christian men are bidden to shine like lights in the world (
Matthew 5:16;
Philippians 2:15). The oil that supplies the lamps is the grace of God, the influence of the Holy Spirit, which alone enables the Church to shine and to accomplish its appointed work. The two olive trees are the two authorities, viz. the civil and sacerdotal, through which God communicates his grace to the Church; these stand by the Lord Because, instituted by him, they carry out his will in the ordering, guiding, extending, and purifying his kingdom among men. The two olive branches remit their oil into one receptacle, because the two authorities, the regal and priestly, are intimately connected and united, and their action tends to one end, the promotion of God's glory in the salvation of men. In Messiah these offices are united; he is the channel of Divine grace, the source of light to the whole world.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So he said,וַיֹּ֕אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Theseאֵ֖לֶּה(’êl·leh)Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428:These, thoseare the twoשְׁנֵ֣י(šə·nê)Number - mdc
Strong's 8147:Two (a cardinal number)anointedהַיִּצְהָ֑ר(hay·yiṣ·hār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3323:Oil, anointingonesבְנֵֽי־(ḇə·nê-)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonwho are standingהָעֹמְדִ֖ים(hā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm)Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5975:To stand, in various relationsbesideעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe Lordאֲד֥וֹן(’ă·ḏō·wn)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 113:Sovereign, controllerof allכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe earth.”הָאָֽרֶץ׃(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, land
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OT Prophets: Zechariah 4:14 Then he said These are the two (Zech. Zec Zc) 
