Zechariah 4:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The blessed angel cleverly addresses the seeker, referring to them as the two sons of abundance, for they delight in the rich supply of Christ’s oil and graciously receive the Spirit’s abundance. We, having been justified through faith, are made participants in His divine nature through the communion of the Holy Spirit. Thus, through oil and lamps, the foundation and essence of both nations is symbolized. Our calling is represented by the light, akin to oil that comes from God, confirming that we have been forgiven, liberated from death and sin, and released from past bondage. We are illuminated by knowing the one true God and have been drawn out of the shadows of pagan error. It is especially significant to consider the meaning of the olives and the reason behind the blessed prophet transitioning from speaking of the olives themselves to the branches of the olives. In this context, the synagogue of the Jews is likened to a good olive tree, while the Gentiles are compared to a wild olive tree. The Apostle Paul also speaks of this when he addresses the Gentile believers, saying, “But if thou art cut off from the natural olive tree, and through nature thou art clung to the good olive tree, how much more will these who are by nature be clung to their own olive tree” (Romans 11:24). Thus, as I mentioned earlier, the synagogue is the good olive tree, and the multitude of Gentiles is the wild olive tree. Some who have been educated through the law have lived fruitful lives, while others became like nests of hornets, filled with evil, resulting in barrenness. However, not everyone in the Jewish synagogue embraced faith in the Son, nor did all Gentiles, but many, as if cast out from both, were forgiven and called, through faith, into the enlightening grace of the Spirit. By the branches of the olive tree, we may reasonably signify those who have been uprooted and forgiven through grace, finding themselves in the light of the lamp, which signifies Christ, accompanied by the shining lamps, symbolizing the community of saints. Notice how the divine angel views the lampstand as a representation and prefiguration of Immanuel, stating that the branches flanking it stand before the Lord of all the earth, as standing reflects the spiritual closeness and readiness of the soul to serve Him. In this manner, we can understand that Christ presents Himself a church (Ephesians 5:27) formed from these two groups. Likewise, I believe the divine Moses was honored with the title of one who stands when God commanded him, “But thou shalt stand here with me” (Deuteronomy 5:31), for the all-knowing God does not dismiss the lessons of the law. For what purpose? Because it serves as a guide leading to Christ, providing, in figures and shadows, the essence of truth. Christ Himself affirms this when He addressed the unbelieving Jews, stating, “If ye would believe Moses, believe ye also me: for of me he wrote” (John 5:46).

When the prophet sought to comprehend the meaning of the olives—one placed on the right and the other on the left of the lamp—the Lord or His angel did not immediately respond. Realizing this, the prophet asked a second time, what do these two olive branches mean? He posed a simpler question, not being worthy of greater revelation. The branches were positioned in the handles of two golden spouts, which in Hebrew are termed sinthoroth, and in Greek μυξωτῆρες, referring to the nostrils; these two nostrils bore the golden branches, which were crafted from purest gold.

As the prophet further inquired about the two branches, the angel questioned whether he knew their significance. The prophet replied, "No, Lord." Then the angel stated, "These are the two sons of the anointing," as interpreted by Simmachus, or translated by Aquila as the sons of splendour, while the Seventy rendered it as sons of fatness, and Theodotion translated it as sons of radiance, who come before the Lord of all the earth.

Regarding the two olives positioned beside the lamp, we have previously discussed. Thus, when the prophet inquired again about these matters, he was not deemed worthy to receive an answer, possibly due to his prior failure to grasp the earlier messages, or perhaps his persistence was met with silence from the angel. Hebrews asserts that when he initially questioned the olives, he received no clarification because he did not inquire rightly or sufficiently.

Finally, he broadened his inquiry, asking more specifically about the branches of the olives, having previously remained silent on this. He asked about "the two olives" and then sought understanding of "the two branches," which holds a figurative implication, as the branches represent actual trees, rising upwards adorned with a layer of branches and leaves. Some interpreters see the two olives as symbolizing the Son and the Holy Spirit, with the lampstand embodying God the Father. Yet, it is challenging to delineate the one on the right and the other on the left without approaching blasphemy.

Under the branches of the olive tree, some differentiate between the incarnation of the Savior and the representation of the Holy Spirit as a dove, suggesting we may only perceive fragments of these olive trees, revealing but minor aspects, particularly through the incarnation of the Son and the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Others interpret this as relating to the two Testaments, asserting that one conveys a spiritual understanding while the other conveys a physical one, acknowledging we partially comprehend and partially prophesy, but have yet to grasp the complete truth.

Some understand the two branches of olives, or the two sons of fatness, as representing the priesthood and the Law, which bring joy to all the earth. Others suggest Enoch and Elijah, where one lived righteously while uncircumcised and the other while circumcised, both having been taken to heaven (Gen. 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11-12). The Hebrew text refers to "brightness" or "anointing" rather than abundance, analogous to the psalmic declaration about the joy and fulfillment found in God's presence.

We have explained this as thoroughly as possible, considering various interpretations from both Jewish and Christian perspectives, and we remain open to any insights that may better elucidate these truths.