Zechariah 4:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The blessed angel appears to the seeker with insight, referring to them as the two sons of oil, symbolizing their joy and abundance derived from Christ's anointing and the overflowing grace of the Spirit. We have been justified through faith, forgiven, and made participants in His divine essence through communion with the Holy Spirit. Thus, the oil and the lamps signify the foundation and existence of two peoples; our calling is illuminated, symbolizing the divine oil we receive from God, confirming our forgiveness and liberation from sin and death and granting us freedom from former enslavement. We are enlightened, having recognized the one true God, and been freed from the shadows of polytheistic fallacies. It is especially important to discern the significance of the olives and the reason the blessed prophet opted to refer to the branches instead. The Jewish synagogue is depicted as the good olive tree, while the multitude of Gentiles is likened to the wild olive tree. Blessed Paul also referenced this when he addressed the Gentile believers, stating: ‘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, the synagogue represents the good olive tree, as previously noted, while the Gentile multitude symbolizes the wild olive tree; some received instruction through the law and led fruitful lives, while others, akin to homes of wild pests, were filled with evil spirits and remained unproductive. However, not all Jews accepted faith in the Son, nor did all Gentiles, but rather many were drawn from both groups, forgiven and called into the light by faith through the Spirit. Therefore, when we consider the branches of the olive tree, we can reasonably interpret them as those who have been rescued, graced with forgiveness, and brought into the light of Christ, represented by the lamp, along with the multitude of saints symbolized by the shining lamps. Observe how the divine angel perceives the lampstand as a representation and prefiguration of Immanuel, with the branches on either side (also referred to as the two sons of fatness), standing before the Lord of all the earth. Their position signifies spiritual proximity and a willingness to heed and serve Him. Accordingly, we might regard Christ as having established a church (Eph. 5:27) gathered from both people. Similarly, divine Moses is depicted as standing when God stated, ‘But thou shalt stand here with me’ (Deut. 5:31); the all-knowing God does not dismiss instruction provided through the law. Why is this so? Because the law serves as a guide leading us to Christ, offering reflections that point to the ultimate truth. Christ Himself affirms this when He says to the unbelieving Jews, ‘If ye would believe Moses, believe ye also me: for of me he wrote’ (John 5:46).

When the prophet questioned the meaning of the olives, one on each side of the lamp, the Lord or His messenger was initially reluctant to provide an answer. Recognizing this hesitation, the prophet sought clarification once more, asking about the meaning of the two olive shoots or the lower parts of the olive branches. He asked in a subordinate manner, aware that he was not in a position to hear the greater revelation. The two branches were attached to the ends, resembling beaks, which in Hebrew are referred to as sinthoroth and in Greek as μυξωτῆρες, meaning nostrils; these two nostrils were formed from pure gold.

Upon inquiring about the branches again, the prophet received a question from the angel, asking whether he understood their significance. He replied, "No, Lord." The angel then stated, "These represent the two anointed sons," as Simmachus expressed or as Aquila translated as ςτυλπνότητος, meaning brilliance, or as the Seventy rendered it as πιότητος, meaning richness, or as Theodotion interpreted it as λαμπρότητος, meaning radiance, which come forth before the Lord of all the earth.

Concerning the two olives positioned at the sides of the lamp, I have discussed this previously. Thus, when the prophet now seeks to understand these matters, he is not deemed worthy to receive an answer since he does not reflect on what has already been revealed. This might be because he wishes to gain clearer insight into a matter that was not fully explained before or, due to the angel’s silence, his desire for further knowledge is unfulfilled. However, Hebrews indicates that when he asked about the olives, he received no response as he did not ask properly nor inquire about all that he should have known. Eventually, he poses a more complete question regarding the olive shoots or branches, which he neglected to address previously, asking, "What are the two olive branches?" This is metaphorical since the olive shoots refer to actual trees, appearing like thorny ears that ascend, encircled by a fence of limbs and leaves.

Some interpreters understand the two olives to represent the Son and the Holy Spirit, while the lamp in the center symbolizes God the Father. However, the interpretation of one being on the right and the other on the left raises concerns of irreverence. Under the branches or the shoots of the olive tree, distinctions are made between the incarnation of the Savior and the depiction of the Holy Spirit as a dove. It seems we cannot perceive these olive trees in their entirety but only witness certain aspects, as if only the less significant shoots are displayed; in essence, this refers to the incarnation of the Son and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

Others perceive in this the two Testaments, suggesting that one conveys a spiritual meaning while the other possesses a corporeal significance. Notably, we cannot fully explain the entirety of the Gospel or the entire Law— we see partially and prophesy partially (1 Cor. 13:9)— and we have yet to grasp the complete understanding. Some interpret the two olive branches, or two shoots symbolizing fatness or radiance, as the priesthood and the Law that brings joy to the entire earth. Others view these as Enoch and Elijah, with one representing the faithful in uncircumcision and the other in circumcision, both being taken alive to heaven (Gen. 5:24 and 2 Kings 2:11-12).

In place of phrases such as brilliance, anointing, richness, and brightness, the Hebrew text uses isaar in a similar manner to the joyful abundance of the saints described in the Psalms: "They delighted in the abundance of your house" (Psalms 36:8). For the term πιότης, or "richness," applies here rather than merely abundance.

We have explored this to the extent possible, summarizing the various perspectives held by both Jewish scholars and ourselves, and if anyone puts forth a more compelling interpretation, we shall willingly adopt the best understanding.