Zechariah 4:10
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 20
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
לְי֣וֹם
the day
H3117
לְי֣וֹם
the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
קְטַנּוֹת֒
of small things
H6996
קְטַנּוֹת֒
of small things
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
5 of 20
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
וְשָׂמְח֗וּ
for they shall rejoice
H8055
וְשָׂמְח֗וּ
for they shall rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
6 of 20
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
וְרָא֞וּ
and shall see
H7200
וְרָא֞וּ
and shall see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
7 of 20
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבְּדִ֛יל
H913
בְּיַ֥ד
in the hand
H3027
בְּיַ֥ד
in the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
11 of 20
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
שִׁבְעָה
with those seven
H7651
שִׁבְעָה
with those seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
13 of 20
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
עֵינֵ֣י
they are the eyes
H5869
עֵינֵ֣י
they are the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
15 of 20
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מְשׁוֹטְטִ֖ים
which run to and fro
H7751
מְשׁוֹטְטִ֖ים
which run to and fro
Strong's:
H7751
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, to push forth; (but used only figuratively) to lash, i.e., (the sea with oars) to row; by implication, to travel
Cross References
Job 8:7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.Haggai 2:3Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.Revelation 5:6And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.Proverbs 4:18But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Zechariah 3:9For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.Isaiah 66:11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.Isaiah 66:14And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.Revelation 8:2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
Historical Context
The Second Temple, completed in 516 BC, stood for nearly 500 years until Herod's renovations began (20 BC). Though modest compared to Solomon's glory, it witnessed the return of Jewish worship, the Maccabean rededication, and ultimately the Messiah's teaching and cleansing. Jesus Himself ministered in this 'despised' temple, proving that God's presence, not architectural magnificence, determines a building's significance (Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-22).
Questions for Reflection
- What 'small things' in your spiritual life do you despise that God may celebrate?
- How does knowing God's 'seven eyes' watch your faithfulness change your perspective on 'small' obedience?
- Why is human comparison (this temple versus Solomon's) a faithless metric versus God's pleasure?
Analysis & Commentary
For who hath despised the day of small things?—Rhetorical question rebuking those who scorned the modest scale of the Second Temple. The Hebrew mī bāz ləyōm qətannōt (מִי בָז לְיוֹם קְטַנּוֹת, 'who has despised the day of small things') addresses the discouragement voiced when the foundation was laid: 'Many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice' (Ezra 3:12). Compared to Solomon's temple, this structure seemed pathetic (Haggai 2:3).
For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth—But God doesn't measure by human metrics. The 'eḇen habəḏīl (אֶבֶן הַבְּדִיל, 'plummet stone/measuring line') in Zerubbabel's hand proves the building's alignment and progress. The 'seven eyes' (from v. 2, the seven lamps) represent the Spirit's omniscient oversight. Hēmmāh 'ēynē Yahweh hamməshōṭəṭīm (הֵמָּה עֵינֵי יְהוָה הַמְּשֹׁטְטִים, 'they are the eyes of the LORD running to and fro') echoes 2 Chronicles 16:9, depicting God's complete knowledge surveying all earth. God watches Zerubbabel's small work with the same eyes that oversee nations. Heaven celebrates 'small things' accomplished by faith, not grand achievements built by pride.