Zechariah 4:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He resembles the eunuch, whom Philip asked, ‘Do you comprehend what you are reading?’ The eunuch replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ (Acts 8:30, 31) Are you not aware of the meaning behind these figures? And the prophet replied, ‘I do not know, my lord. What do the two olive branches on either side of the lampstand signify?' The angel explains, providing clarity regarding the olive branches and elucidating the lampstand's representation. Pay close attention. The lampstand is positioned, with the olive tree branches before it; however, the angel denotes that the branches symbolize not the lampstand but the Lord, indicating that the lampstand represents God or, more specifically, our Savior and His redemptive incarnation. What do these elements represent? The prophet again confesses ignorance. Then the angel declares, ‘These are the two anointed ones, who stand before the Lord of all the earth’ (Zech. 4:13, 14) - referring not merely to the lampstand as he saw it but pointing to the Lord of the entire earth. The seven-branched lampstand signifies the redemptive incarnation of the Lord, as the lampstand itself embodies the sanctified humanity illuminated by the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit. A Branch shall emerge from the root of Jesse, and a shoot shall blossom from his roots; the Spirit of the Lord shall rest on Him. What sort? Varied in its workings and plentiful in essence. The Spirit of God shall rest upon Him, indicating the very presence of the Holy Spirit and, subsequently, the gifts He imparts: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and reverence for God (Isaiah 11:1, 2). These seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, resting upon the divine flesh of the Lord, constituted the seven lampstands in the vision. Why seven lamps? To manifest the power of the workings of the Holy Spirit. Later, Zechariah notes, ‘These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which survey all the earth’ (Zech. 4:10). Observe how truth unveils itself without the reliance on human wisdom.

The prophet then conveyed an unmistakable depiction of his vision, stating that he observed a golden candlestick with a lampstand on its top, seven lamps, and an equal number of cups, with two olive trees positioned—one on the right and the other on the left of the lampstand. There is no clearer account than this. Thus, those eager to delve into the vision's deeper significance should pay careful attention to its explanation and link it to prior revelations. The Lord, the Creator of all, declared His intention to ‘dig a ditch, and bury all the hurt of this land in one day,’ encouraging others to gather ‘under the vine and under the fig-tree.’ In understanding this prophecy's purpose, we propose that a metaphorical ditch has been created for those who have disbelieved and rejected salvation through Christ, as if it were a pit leading to their ruin—the blasphemy of the cross and the weight of Christ's murder; for having wickedly slain Him, they faced dire consequences. Conversely, those who have cherished His appearing are granted comfort and joy—what blessings have they not received? For in the churches, they rested as if under fig-trees and vines. Yet, the prophet also reflected on the sacrament's meaning from another perspective. The golden candlestick signifies the Church, esteemed in the world, filled with virtues, and exalted by true divine knowledge; above it sits the ‘lamp,’ which is Christ. God the Father proclaimed, ‘For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not let it pass away, until my truth shall go forth as a light, and my salvation as a lamp shall shine’ (Isaiah 62:1). This divine light, illuminating heaven, was placed by God on the candlestick so that anyone entering may see its radiance, shining for all in the temple (Luke 11:33; Matthew 5:15). The seven lamps, which do not generate light on their own but rely on an external source of light enabled by oil, represent the holy Apostles, Evangelists, and the subsequent teachers of the Church. They draw enlightenment from Christ for their minds and hearts, acting as lamps fed by the Spirit's gifts, enlightening all who reside in the Church and illuminating all believers. Note that while the seven lamps are equipped with cups for oil, the 'luminary' lacks one. Why is this? Because He is the true light, the Son, capable of illuminating by His own essence, not through borrowed light. As for the light of the saints, the wise John affirms, ‘from his fulfilment we all received it’ (John 1:16). Being the true light, the Son also refers to those who partake in His radiance as the light of the world, saying to His apostles, ‘Ye are the light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14). The two olive trees, positioned on either side of the lampstand, represent the two nations surrounding Christ; as those forgiven, they are honored in this place. Some belong to the good olive tree, the Jewish synagogue, while others stem from the wild olive tree, signifying the Gentiles; yet, being grafted into the good olive tree, they share in the sap of the root, as stated by the blessed Paul (Romans 11:17). Observe how, alongside the lampstand and lamp, the candlestick holds the two olives; in the Church, Christ is present, and the forgiven multitude of believers are illuminated by His light and the lamps that borrow their light from Him. It is important to note that the construction of the holy tabernacle included a golden candlestick with seven lamps (Exodus 25:31-39). Light from the lamps serves not those positioned behind the candlestick but those who stand before Christ by faith. Consequently, the Jews, who dwell behind and away from it, possess dimmed minds, while believing Gentiles have lamps in their front, bestowed with unencumbered sanctification through the saints. In the first tabernacle, only one lamp burned, illustrating that the leadership of the law is subordinate to the teaching of the gospel. It is notable that one lamp shone in the first tabernacle, whereas seven lamps and a lampstand emanated abundant light in the holy of holies.

Furthermore, the seven bowls atop the lampstand indicate that the task assigned to one of the seven heirs will involve collective effort, not solitary endeavor, as others will assist him. The two olives positioned—one to the right of the lampstand and the other at its left—represent the two leaders of the Jewish people: Jesus, who is anointed for kingship, and Zerubbabel, appointed for the priesthood. In a spiritual context, the seven bowls on the lampstand symbolize that the teachings of the Church are the shared inheritance of both those who build up others and those who are built up. The two olives reflect the two Covenants, representing both the priestly and royal offices. Moreover, the two sons of fatness, or the sons of anointing, are emblematic of the people of Judah and the Gentile nations.

The angel who awakened Zechariah, akin to one rousing from slumber, questions what he sees to guide us through the prophet’s inquiries driven by his lack of understanding. This dialogue imparts to us, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by armies nor by strength but by My Spirit, says the Lord.” Thus, we clarify that the return from captivity and the triumph over enemies are achieved not through human strength but by the Spirit of God.

The subsequent phrase, “Who are you, O great mountain?” refers to the adversary who opposes Jesus and stands against Zerubbabel and the people of Judah. Yet, the mountain will be leveled and humbled, lying prostrate before Israel, as God will bring forth the cornerstone, Jesus Christ. This stone, representing His grace, will be compared to the grace shown to their ancestors. This interpretation aligns with the teachings found within Hebrew scriptures.

Moving on to interpretations by church theologians, they see the golden lampstand as a representation of the Church, which possesses deeper significance than mere text. The aspect of gold corresponds to the radiant wings of the dove described in the sixty-seventh Psalm. The lamp signifies Christ, who illuminates the Church. He stated, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl,” meaning His truth should not be confined by the Law, but should shine forth in the freedom of the Gospel. The seven lamps signify the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, through which the Church receives divine mercy and virtues.

The two olive trees symbolize Moses and Elijah, who conversed with the Lord, revealing His impending suffering in Jerusalem, affirming that both law and prophecy illuminate this suffering. Alternatively, some interpret these olives as the Law and the Gospel, as reflected in the Song of Songs, depicting the relationship between Christ and His people. Many view the mountain as emblematic of the devil and the Antichrist, who attempted to oppose Zerubbabel and subsequently Christ by claiming dominion, only to be rebuked and humbled by the Lord.

In the Gospel, the Lord taught that faith as small as a mustard seed can command a mountain to move, clearly indicating the devil's position as the mountain obstructing faith. However, some misguidedly contrast this with Christ, often referred to metaphorically as a mountain in scripture.

Yet, the truth remains; God will bring forth the original stone—the Word of God, who was both with God and was God, through whom all things were created. The phrase “equal grace with His grace” reminds us of the sole source of divine grace that transcends both the Law and the Gospel, extended equally to Jews and Gentiles. The angel Gabriel proclaimed to Mary, “You have found favor with God,” while Paul teaches that believers are saved by grace through faith. John reinforces this by declaring, “The Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

The ‘two olive trees’ that flourished on either side signified the dual offices of royalty and priesthood, adorned with divine thanksgiving, and the two branches that reached to the lampstands were Jesus and Zerubbabel, one hailing from the priestly lineage and the other from the royal line. It seemed implausible and highly questionable to those governed by human reasoning that such a small, impoverished remnant, barely having escaped a long exile, would accomplish such remarkable feats. Yet God reaffirmed His promise through the vision granted to the prophet, revealing that their success would not hinge on their might but on His grace. This understanding is imparted to us by the Lord Himself, who provided this vision to the Prophet. When the Prophet inquired about the meaning of the vision, the divine angel responded: