Zechariah 4:14
New International Version
So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”

New Living Translation
Then he said to me, “They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”

English Standard Version
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Berean Standard Bible
So he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth.”

King James Bible
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

New King James Version
So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”

NASB 1995
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”

NASB 1977
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Amplified Bible
Then he said, “These are the two sons of fresh oil [Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince of Judah] who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth [as His anointed ones].”

Christian Standard Bible
“These are the two anointed ones,” he said, “who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These are the two anointed ones,” he said, “who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

American Standard Version
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Contemporary English Version
Then he told me, "These branches are the two chosen leaders who stand beside the Lord of all the earth."

English Revised Version
Then said he, These are the two sons of oil, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So he said, "These are the two anointed ones who are standing beside the Lord of the whole earth."

Good News Translation
Then he said, "These are the two men whom God has chosen and anointed to serve him, the Lord of the whole earth."

International Standard Version
He said, "These are the two anointed ones, who stand continuously beside the Lord of the whole earth."

Majority Standard Bible
So he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth.”

NET Bible
So he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

New Heart English Bible
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

World English Bible
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says, “These [are] the two sons of the oil, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'These are the two sons of the oil, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, These the two sons of new oil standing by the Lord, of all the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: These are two sons of oil who stand before the Lord of the whole earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said, “These are the two sons of oil, who attend before the Sovereign of all the earth.”

New American Bible
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones who stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to me: ”These are the two sons of oil who stand before THE LORD of all the Earth.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said he: 'These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of the Lampstand and Olive Trees
13“Do you not know what these are?” he inquired. “No, my lord,” I replied. 14So he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing beside the Lord of all the earth.”

Cross References
Revelation 11:3-4
And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” / These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

Revelation 1:20
This is the mystery of the seven stars you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 4:5
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven torches of fire. These are the seven spirits of God.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 11:10
And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.

Matthew 17:3
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

Matthew 17:11-13
Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. / But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” / Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Luke 9:30-31
Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. / They appeared in glory and spoke about His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

John 1:6-8
There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. / He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. / He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 13:47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

1 John 1:5
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

Exodus 25:31-40
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. / There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand. ...

Exodus 37:17-24
Then he made the lampstand out of pure hammered gold, all of one piece: its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches extended from the sides, three on one side and three on the other. / There were three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extended from the lampstand. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.

These.

Zechariah 6:13
Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

Exodus 29:7
Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.

Exodus 40:15
And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

anointed ones.

Isaiah 5:1
Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

that.

Zechariah 3:1-7
And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him…

Zechariah 6:5
And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth.

Deuteronomy 10:8
At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

the Lord.

Joshua 3:11,13
Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan…

Isaiah 54:5
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Micah 4:13
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

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Zechariah 4
1. By the golden candlestick is foreshown the good success of Zerubbabel's foundation;
11. by the two olive trees the two anointed ones.














So he said
This phrase indicates a direct response from the angelic messenger to Zechariah's inquiry. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the Old Testament to denote a declaration or proclamation from God or His messengers. This emphasizes the authoritative nature of the message being delivered, underscoring that what follows is a divine revelation.

These are the two anointed ones
The term "anointed ones" is translated from the Hebrew "בְּנֵי הַיִּצְהָר" (benei ha-yitzhar), literally "sons of oil." In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was a symbolic act of consecration, setting individuals apart for a holy purpose, often associated with kings and priests. The "two anointed ones" here are traditionally understood to represent Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor, who were instrumental in the rebuilding of the temple. This dual anointing signifies the unity of priestly and kingly roles, foreshadowing the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who embodies both offices.

who are standing
The Hebrew word "עֹמְדִים" (omdim) conveys a sense of readiness and service. In the context of the temple, standing often implies a position of honor and duty. This imagery suggests that these anointed ones are in a perpetual state of readiness to serve God, highlighting their dedication and the importance of their roles in God's plan.

beside the Lord
The phrase "beside the Lord" indicates proximity to divine presence and authority. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, standing beside a king or deity was a position of privilege and power. This suggests that the anointed ones have a special relationship with God, entrusted with significant responsibilities in His divine order.

of all the earth
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and dominion over the entire world. The Hebrew "כָּל הָאָרֶץ" (kol ha-aretz) reinforces the universal scope of God's authority. In the context of Zechariah's vision, it serves as a reminder that the work of the anointed ones, though focused on the restoration of the temple, has implications for all creation. It points to the ultimate reign of God over all nations, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic literature and finds its culmination in the eschatological hope of the New Testament.

Verse 14. - The two anointed ones; literally, the two sons of oil; so the Revised Version; Vulgate, filii olei; Septuagint, υἱοὶ τῆς πιότητος, "sons of fatness" (comp. Isaiah 5:1). By them are intended the two powers, the regal and the sacerdotal, through which God's help and protection are dispensed to the theocracy. Oil was used in appointing to both these offices (comp. Leviticus 21:10; 1 Samuel 10:1). The expression, "son of," in many cases denotes a quality or property, like "son of Belial," "son of might;" so here Dr. Alexander considers that "sons of oil" means people possessed of oil, oil bearers, channels through which the oil flowed to others. Zerubbabel and Joshua are representatives of the civil and priestly authorities, but the text seems expressly to avoid naming any human agents, in order to show that the symbol must not be limited to individuals. Nor, indeed, must it be confined to the Jewish Church and state; it looks forward to the time when Jew and Gentile shall unite in upholding the Church of God. That stand by the Lord of the whole earth; i.e. ready as his ministers to do him service. There is a reference to this passage in Revelation 11:4, where the "two witnesses" are called "the two olive trees.., standing Before the Lord of the earth" (Perowne). The vision, as we have seen, prefigures primarily the completion of the temple and the restoration of its worship, and secondly the establishment of the Christian Church by the advent of Messiah. The several parts of the vision may be thus explained. The candelabrum is a symbol of the Jewish Church and theocracy, in accordance with the imagery in the Apocalypse, where the seven candlesticks are seven Churches (Revelation 1:20). It is made of gold as precious in God's sight, and to be kept pure and unalloyed; it is placed in the sanctuary, and has seven lamps, to indicate that it is bright with the grace of God, and is meant to shed its light around at all times, as Christian men are bidden to shine like lights in the world (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15). The oil that supplies the lamps is the grace of God, the influence of the Holy Spirit, which alone enables the Church to shine and to accomplish its appointed work. The two olive trees are the two authorities, viz. the civil and sacerdotal, through which God communicates his grace to the Church; these stand by the Lord Because, instituted by him, they carry out his will in the ordering, guiding, extending, and purifying his kingdom among men. The two olive branches remit their oil into one receptacle, because the two authorities, the regal and priestly, are intimately connected and united, and their action tends to one end, the promotion of God's glory in the salvation of men. In Messiah these offices are united; he is the channel of Divine grace, the source of light to the whole world.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So he said,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“These
אֵ֖לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the two
שְׁנֵ֣י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

anointed
הַיִּצְהָ֑ר (hay·yiṣ·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3323: Oil, anointing

ones
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

who are standing
הָעֹמְדִ֖ים (hā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

beside
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the Lord
אֲד֥וֹן (’ă·ḏō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

of all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the earth.”
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 4:14 Then he said These are the two (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 4:13
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