Zechariah 4:9
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָדָ֣יו
The hands
H3027
וְיָדָ֣יו
The hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
1 of 13
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
יִסְּד֛וּ
have laid the foundation
H3245
יִסְּד֛וּ
have laid the foundation
Strong's:
H3245
Word #:
3 of 13
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
הַבַּ֥יִת
of this house
H1004
הַבַּ֥יִת
of this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
וְיָדָ֣יו
The hands
H3027
וְיָדָ֣יו
The hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
6 of 13
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
תְּבַצַּ֑עְנָה
shall also finish
H1214
תְּבַצַּ֑עְנָה
shall also finish
Strong's:
H1214
Word #:
7 of 13
to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop
וְיָ֣דַעְתָּ֔
it and thou shalt know
H3045
וְיָ֣דַעְתָּ֔
it and thou shalt know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֥ה
that the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
that the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
11 of 13
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
Historical Context
When Zechariah spoke (520 BC), the foundation had been laid 16 years earlier but no walls had risen. Skeptics abounded. Predicting completion required divine knowledge, not human optimism. When the temple was indeed finished four years later (516 BC), exactly as prophesied, it proved Zechariah's message came from God. This prophetic-fulfillment pattern strengthens faith: God's track record of fulfilled predictions guarantees future promises.
Questions for Reflection
- What unfinished works has God called you to that require faith He will bring to completion (Philippians 1:6)?
- How does fulfilled prophecy (Zechariah's temple prediction) strengthen confidence in unfulfilled prophecies (Christ's return)?
- Why does God emphasize 'his hands' both beginning and completing—what does this teach about perseverance?
Analysis & Commentary
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it—Divine guarantee that the same person who began the work will complete it. The emphasis on yāḏāyw (יָדָיו, 'his hands') appearing twice stresses personal, physical labor—Zerubbabel wasn't a distant overseer but a hands-on builder. Yissəḏū (יִסְּדוּ, 'have laid the foundation') in the perfect tense confirms accomplished fact: the foundation was laid in 536 BC (Ezra 3:10). Təḇasśa'nāh (תְּבַצַּעְנָה, 'shall finish it') promises future completion, fulfilled in 516 BC (Ezra 6:15).
And thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you—The completion will vindicate Zechariah's prophetic authority. The formula 'you shall know' (vəyāḏa'tā, וְיָדַעְתָּ) indicates proof through fulfillment. When Zerubbabel finishes despite impossible odds, it will confirm that Zechariah spoke not his own speculation but as one 'sent' (shəlāchani, שְׁלָחַנִי) by Yahweh. This echoes Jesus's claim: 'When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself' (John 8:28). Fulfilled prophecy validates divine commission. The mysterious 'me' sent by 'the LORD of hosts' again suggests the Angel of the LORD/pre-incarnate Christ (compare 2:8-11).