Zechariah 4:11
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
Original Language Analysis
וָאַ֖עַן
Then answered
H6030
וָאַ֖עַן
Then answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הַזֵּיתִים֙
olive trees
H2132
הַזֵּיתִים֙
olive trees
Strong's:
H2132
Word #:
6 of 12
an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְמִ֥ין
upon the right
H3225
יְמִ֥ין
upon the right
Strong's:
H3225
Word #:
9 of 12
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
Historical Context
In Zechariah's day, the two olive trees likely symbolized the dual leadership of Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor (confirmed in v. 14)—priestly and royal offices working in tandem to restore temple worship and civil governance. God supplies anointing through both spiritual and civil authorities when they serve His purposes. The Church continues as lampstand (Revelation 1:20), dependent on Spirit-anointing, not human energy.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Zechariah's willingness to ask 'What are these?' teach about honest inquiry versus pretended knowledge?
- How do the two olive trees (priestly and royal, or Law and Prophets) jointly supply the oil for God's people's light?
- In what ways do you depend on Spirit-anointing versus human effort to 'keep your lamp burning'?
Analysis & Commentary
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?—Zechariah seeks clarification about the vision's most puzzling element (v. 3). The two zētīm (זֵתִים, 'olive trees') flank the mənōrāh (מְנוֹרָה, 'lampstand'), supplying its oil. Olive trees naturally produce oil, symbol of the Holy Spirit's anointing and enablement. The question demonstrates good discipleship—Zechariah doesn't pretend to understand but asks for explanation. The angel had shown him the vision but hasn't yet explained the trees' significance.
The lampstand represents Israel as God's light-bearer to the nations (Isaiah 49:6), while the two olive trees supply the oil (Spirit) that keeps the light burning. The positioning 'al-yəmīn hammənōrāh və'al-səmō'lāh (עַל־יְמִין הַמְּנוֹרָה וְעַל־שְׂמֹאלָהּ, 'on the right of the lampstand and on its left') indicates complete provision—surrounded by supply. This vision teaches that Israel's witness depends not on self-generated light but on continual Spirit-anointing supplied through God-appointed channels. Revelation 11:4 identifies the two olive trees as 'the two witnesses,' possibly Moses and Elijah or the Law and Prophets testifying to Christ. The principle remains: divine light requires divine oil supplied through divinely-ordained means.