King James Version

What Does Zechariah 4:10 Mean?

“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. for they: or, since the seven eyes of the Lord shall rejoice plummet: Heb. stone of tin”

Context

Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

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.

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. for they: or, since the seven eyes of the Lord shall rejoice plummet: Heb. stone of tin

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?

And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? through: Heb. by the hand empty: or, empty out of themselves oil into the gold the golden oil: Heb. the gold

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Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. in ... end of years--**when the predicted time shall be consummated (Da 11:13, Margin; Da 8:17; 12:13). **king's daughter of the south--**Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt. The latter, in order to end his war with Antiochus Theus, "king of the north" (literally, "midnight": the prophetical phrase for the region whence came affliction to Israel, Jr 1:13-15; Joe 2:20), that is, Syria, gave Berenice to Antiochus, who thereupon divorced his former wife, Laodice, and disinherited her son, Seleucus Callinicus. The designation, "king of the north" and "of the south," is given in relation to Judea, as the standpoint. Egypt is mentioned by name (Da 11:8, 42), though Syria is not; because the former was in Daniel's time a flourishing kingdom, whereas Syria was then a mere dependency of Assyria and Babylon: an undesigned proof of the genuineness of the Book of Daniel. **agreement--**literally, "rights," that is, to put things to rights between the belligerents. **she shall not retain the power of the arm--**She shall not be able to effect the purpose of the alliance, namely, that she should be the mainstay of peace. Ptolemy having died, Antiochus took back Laodice, who then poisoned him, and caused Berenice and her son to be put to death, and raised her own son, Seleucus Nicator, to the throne. **neither shall he stand--**The king of Egypt shall not gain his point of setting his line on the throne of Syria. **his arm--**that on which he relied. Berenice and her offspring. **they that brought her--**her attendants from Egypt. **he that begat her--**rather as Margin, "the child whom she brought forth" [Ewald]. If English Version (which Maurer approves) be retained, as Ptolemy died a natural death, "given up" is not in his case, as in Berenice's, to be understood of giving up to death, but in a general sense, of his plan proving abortive. **he that strengthened her in these times--**Antiochus Theus, who is to attach himself to her (having divorced Laodice) at the times predicted [Gejer].

Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown. Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 4:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.