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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:6

This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel - Osorius: “As if he were to say, the meaning of the vision and scope of what has been exhibited is, ‘God’s doings have almost cried aloud to Zerubbabel that all these visions shall come to an end in their time, not effected by human might nor in fleshly strength, but in power of the Holy Spirit and through Divine Will.’ For the Only Begotten became Man as we are, but He warred not after the flesh, to set up the Church as a candlestick to the world,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 4:6

Zechariah 4:6. Then he answered, Not by might nor by power, &c. That is, Zerubbabel and Joshua, with the Jews under their conduct, shall finish the temple and re-establish the Jewish state, not by force of arms, nor by human power, but by the aid of my providence and grace; just as the lamps are supplied with oil in a secret and invisible manner, without the help of man. Thus the angel answers the prophet’s question, “not by descending to an explanation of particulars, but by giving the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Zechariah 4:1-14

Encouragement to Zerubbabel (4:1-14)The next vision is of a seven-headed lampstand standing between two olive trees. The olive trees pour their oil into a central bowl on top of the lampstand. The oil from this central bowl then feeds the seven lamps that provide the light. This means that the lamps do not need anyone to look after them. Light is provided supernaturally through the constant supply of oil from the trees (4:1-5; see also v. 12).This vision was of particular encouragement to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Zechariah 4:6

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . might = might [of man]. nor = and not. power = power [of flesh]. but by , &c. i.e. as in the lampstand the oil flowed silently, without help from man, Spirit. Hebrew. ruach App-9 . the LORD of hosts. See note on Zechariah 1:3 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Zechariah 4:6

"Then he answered and spake unto me saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith Jehovah of hosts."The first six words of the angel's explanation contain the whole explanation: THIS IS THE WORD OF JEHOVAH! As Unger observed:"Zechariah's vision was THE WORD OF THE LORD, vitally real and effective for the pressing problems of the hour in which it was initially revealed."[10]Nor should the meaning of it be restricted to that... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Zechariah 4:6

Zechariah 4:6. This is the word, &c.— See the note on chap. Zechariah 3:8. It appears as if Zerubbabel had been misrepresented at the Persian court; and hoping that he or his Son might prove the deliverer, of whom the prophets wrote, the apprehension of being recalled before he had finished the temple, filled him with much uneasiness. At this time Zechariah saw in vision the golden candlestick of the temple, Zec 4:2 which noble piece of workmanship figured out the temple service, and the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 4:6

6. Not by might . . . but by my Spirit—As the lamps burned continually, supplied with oil from a source (the living olive trees) which man did not make, so Zerubbabel need not be disheartened because of his weakness; for as the work is one to be effected by the living Spirit (compare :-) of God, man's weakness is no obstacle, for God's might will perfect strength out of weakness (Hosea 1:7; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 11:34). "Might and power" express human strength of every description,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Zechariah 4:6

The angel announced a word of explanation from Yahweh that Zechariah was to pass on to Zerubbabel, the descendant of David who became the leader of the first group of returnees from exile. [Note: See David L. Petersen, "Zerubbabel and Jerusalem Temple Reconstruction," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 36:3 (1974):366-72.] He was to tell him, "not by might [Heb. hayil] nor by power [Heb. koah] but by the Spirit [Heb. ruah] of Yahweh of hosts.""This principle is an elliptical sentence: ’Not by might,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Zechariah 4:6-10

2. Two oracles concerning Zerubbabel 4:6-10The writer inserted two oracles that Zechariah received from the Lord concerning Zerubbabel at this point because they help clarify the meaning of the vision. read more

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