Zechariah 4:5
Zechariah 4:5 in Multiple Translations
“Do you not know what they are?” replied the angel. “No, my lord,” I answered.
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.
Then the angel who was talking to me, answering me, said, Have you no knowledge of what these are? And I said, No, my lord.
“Don't you know what these are?” the angel replied. “No, my lord,” I responded.
Then the Angel that talked with mee, answered and said vnto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord.
And the messenger who is speaking with me answereth and saith unto me, 'Hast thou not known what these [are]?' And I say, 'No, my lord.'
Then the angel who talked with me answered me, “Don’t you know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.”
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said to me, Knowest thou not what these are? and I said, No, my lord.
And the angel that spoke in me answered, and said to me: Knowest thou not what these things are? And I said: No, my lord.
He replied, “Surely you know [RHQ] what they are?” I replied, “No, I do not know.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Zechariah 4:5
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zechariah 4:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Zechariah 4:5
Study Notes — Zechariah 4:5
- Context
- Cross References
- Zechariah 4:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 4:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 4:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 4:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 4:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 4:5
- Sermons on Zechariah 4:5
Context — The Vision of the Lampstand and Olive Trees
5“Do you not know what they are?” replied the angel. “No, my lord,” I answered.
6So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. 7What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zechariah 4:13 | “Do you not know what these are?” he inquired. “No, my lord,” I replied. |
| 2 | Zechariah 1:9 | “What are these, my lord?” I asked. And the angel who was speaking with me replied, “I will show you what they are.” |
| 3 | Daniel 2:30 | And to me this mystery has been revealed, not because I have more wisdom than any man alive, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind. |
| 4 | Mark 4:13 | Then Jesus said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand any of the parables? |
| 5 | Genesis 41:16 | “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.” |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 2:12–15 | We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. |
| 7 | Psalms 139:6 | Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. |
Zechariah 4:5 Summary
This verse shows a conversation between the prophet Zechariah and an angel, where Zechariah asks for explanation about the olive trees in his vision. The angel's response highlights the importance of spiritual understanding and discernment. Just like Zechariah, we can seek God's guidance and wisdom in our lives, trusting in His power and provision, as seen in Zechariah 4:6 (where it says 'not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit') and Jeremiah 29:13 (which encourages us to seek God with all our hearts). By doing so, we can deepen our understanding of God's plans and purposes for our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the angel's response in Zechariah 4:5?
The angel's response, 'Do you not know what they are?' indicates that the prophet Zechariah should have understood the symbolism of the olive trees, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discernment, as seen in 1 Corinthians 2:14 and Hebrews 5:14.
Why does Zechariah respond with 'No, my lord'?
Zechariah's humble response, 'No, my lord,' demonstrates his willingness to learn and acknowledge his limitations, reflecting a posture of humility and dependence on God, similar to what is encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalms 25:9.
What can we learn from the interaction between Zechariah and the angel in this verse?
This interaction highlights the value of seeking guidance and wisdom from God, as well as being open to receiving instruction and correction, as emphasized in James 1:5 and Psalms 32:8-9.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Zechariah's vision?
Zechariah 4:5 is part of a larger vision that emphasizes God's power and provision for His people, as seen in Zechariah 4:6-7, where the LORD declares that His work will be accomplished 'not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit'.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I do not understand, and how can I seek God's guidance and wisdom to discern their meaning?
- In what ways can I cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on God, like Zechariah's response in this verse?
- How can I apply the principle of seeking spiritual discernment, as implied in the angel's response, to my everyday life and decision-making?
- What are the 'olive trees' in my life that symbolize God's presence and provision, and how can I acknowledge and respond to them?
- In what ways can I trust in God's power and provision, rather than my own strength and abilities, as emphasized in the surrounding verses?
Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 4:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zechariah 4:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zechariah 4:5
Trapp's Commentary on Zechariah 4:5
Whedon's Commentary on Zechariah 4:5
Sermons on Zechariah 4:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Philippians 2:1-4 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of unity, love, and humility among believers, emphasizing the need to have the same mind, love one another, and be of one accord. He urge |
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True and False Conversion by Ray Comfort | In this sermon, the speaker tells a story about a man who breaks the law by driving drunk and is caught and imprisoned. The man's father pays his fine and sets him free out of love |
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Hearing Is a Divine Art by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the use of cliches in preaching and how it can lead to a lack of meaning in the Church. He emphasizes the importance of having open hearts to |
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Counterfeit Conversion (1 of 6) by Winkie Pratney | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the sower found in the Bible. The main purpose of this parable is to emphasize the importance of genuine conversion and the p |
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God's Purpose for Us by G.W. North | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believers working diligently in God's vineyard. He encourages the audience to believe in the imminent return of the Lord a |
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Take, Bless, Break & Give by Michael Flowers | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of the feeding of the 5,000, a story found in all four gospels. He emphasizes that this event is a sign, pointing to somethi |
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The Blessedness of Brokenness - a Broken Heart by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the significance of a broken heart in the Christian faith, illustrating that true brokenness cannot be achieved through human effort but is a divine work |







