Bible Strands
Zechariah 4:11
Then I asked the angel, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Zechariah addresses the angel during a vision, asking for the identity of the two olive trees positioned on the right and left of a golden lampstand. This inquiry follows the angel’s explanation that the seven eyes of the Lord rejoice at the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.
The words — The Hebrew מַה־שְּׁנֵי הַזֵּיתִים (mah-she.nei ha.zei.tim) translates literally to "what [are] the two olive trees." The interrogative structure forces the vision’s focus onto the source of the oil rather than the lampstand itself.
The thread — The two olive trees appear beside the lampstand in Zechariah 4:3 and are later cited as the two olive trees in Revelation 11:4. These references track a consistent visual motif of uninterrupted provision for God’s work.
Why it lands — The text asks the reader to identify what sustains the lampstand before assuming human capability. It requires acknowledging that visible spiritual activity depends entirely on a hidden, continuous supply.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Zechariah 4:3 There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left.”
- Revelation 11:4 These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.