Zechariah 4

Some notes on Zechariah 4, with a rough translation following.

1) Structurally, the passage is most clearly organized around the exchanges between the interpreting angel and Zechariah. Most obvious is the parallel between verses 4-5 and 11-13; together with the angel’s response, these questions form a frame around a central section which is (uniquely in this chapter, cf. 1:1, 7; 6:9; 7:1, etc.) delivered by the word of Yahweh (vv. 8-10). Thus, the structure is roughly:

A. Vision, vv. 1-3

B. Exchange regarding the meaning of the vision, vv. 4-7

A’. Word of Yahweh, vv. 8-10

B’. Exchange regarding meaning of vision, vv. 11-14

2) On the other hand, the references to Zerubbabel in verses 6, 7, 9, 10 suggests a chiastic structure:

A. Vision, vv. 1-4

B. Exchange about vision, v. 5

C. Prophecy concerning Zerubbabel, vv. 6-7

C’. Prophecy concerning Zerubbabel from word of Yahweh, vv. 8-10

B’. Exchange about the vision, vv. 12-13

A’. Explanation of the trees in the vision, v. 14

3) Verse 9 contains another piece of Zechariah proto-Trinitarianism. Yahweh, or the word of Yahweh, is speaking (v. 8), and yet in v. 9 the Yahweh (or word of Yahweh) who speaks with the prophet says that He has been sent by Yahweh of hosts. Yahweh sent by Yahweh; God from God, very God from very God.

The translation:

And returned the angel who was speaking with me

And he roused me as a man who is roused from his sleep.

And he said to me, “What are you seeing?”

And I said, “I see, and behold:

A menorah, gold, all of it

And its bowl on its head

And its seven lamps on it seven

And seven lips to the lamps which [are] on its head.

And two olive trees on it

One right of the bowl

And one on its left.”

And I answered and said to the angel who was speaking with me, saying,

“What are these, my master?”

And answered the angel who was speaking with me, and he said to me,

“Do you not know what these are?”

And I said, “No, my master.”

And he answered and said to me, saying,

“This word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying,

Not with prowess

And not with strength

For with in My Spirit

Says Yahweh of hosts.

What are you, mountain, the great one

Before Zerubbabel as level-ground.

And he will cause to come forth the stone, the head one

Shouts – Favor, Favor to it.”

And it happened the word of Yahweh to me, saying,

“Hands of Zerubbabel founded this house

And his hands will cut it off.

And you will know that Yahweh of Hosts sent me to you.”

For who despised to the day of small things

And they will rejoice

And they will see the stone of tin in the hand of Zerubbabel.

Seven these, eyes of Yahweh,

Roaming in all the earth/land.”

And I answered and I said to him,

“What are the two, these olive trees

On the right of the menorah and on its left?”

And I answered a second time and said to him.

“What are the two streams of the olive trees

Which in the hand of the two spouts, the gold,

Which empty from them the gold?”

And he said to me, saying,

“Do you not know what these [are]?”

And I said,

“No, my master.”

And he said,

“These are the two sons of olive-oil

Who stand by the master of all the earth/land.”

Some thoughts on the text.