Zechariah 4 10

Zechariah 4:10 kjv

For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Zechariah 4:10 nkjv

For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth."

Zechariah 4:10 niv

"Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the LORD that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?"

Zechariah 4:10 esv

For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth."

Zechariah 4:10 nlt

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand." (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the LORD that search all around the world.)

Zechariah 4 verses

Zechariah 4 10 Meaning

Zechariah 4:10 delivers a powerful message of encouragement and divine oversight. It addresses the common tendency to disparage humble beginnings or seemingly insignificant efforts in God's work. The verse reveals that God's perfect and comprehensive gaze ("these seven eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth") observes every detail. He rejoices when His chosen servant, Zerubbabel, begins to build with a plumb line, signifying that despite the project's small initial scale, God sees the commitment, the progress, and ultimately, its righteous completion. It assures that what humans may despise, God esteems and will bring to pass according to His standard, through His Spirit rather than human might.

Zechariah 4 10 Context

Zechariah 4:10 is nestled within Zechariah's fourth vision (Zech 4:1-10), following the vision of the Golden Lampstand and Two Olive Trees. This vision immediately precedes a direct message to Zerubbabel, the civil governor of Judah and the appointed leader for rebuilding the second temple in Jerusalem. The historical context is crucial: the Jewish exiles had returned to Judah from Babylonian captivity around 538 BC, and the command to rebuild the temple was given. However, progress had stalled due to opposition from neighboring peoples (Ezra 4) and, perhaps more significantly, the internal discouragement and apathy of the people, who felt the project was too grand or too futile, especially given its humble scale compared to Solomon's temple.

The verse directly addresses this despondency. Zechariah's overall message to the post-exilic community, delivered with his contemporary Haggai, was to encourage perseverance in temple rebuilding and national restoration, emphasizing that God's power (through His Spirit) would accomplish what human might and resources could not. The "day of small things" refers specifically to the modest, unspectacular temple foundation laid years prior, which stood in stark contrast to the grand temple built by Solomon.

Zechariah 4 10 Word analysis

• For who has despised: The Hebrew word `בָּזָה` (bazah) means "to scorn, despise, disdain, hold in contempt." This verb highlights the widespread attitude among the people, both Jews and their adversaries, who looked down on the humble efforts to rebuild the temple. It suggests an active contempt, not mere indifference. This disdain was rooted in a comparison to past glory or current hardship, reflecting a lack of faith in God's ability to work through modest means.
• the day of small things?: This phrase (יוֹם קְטַנּוֹת - yom q'tanot) signifies the period of humble beginnings and limited resources for the temple's reconstruction. It points to the reality that the returning exiles were poor, few, and lacked the grand resources of Solomon's era. It encapsulates the feeling of inadequacy and insignificance concerning the task. This phrase also contains a subtle polemic against the worldview that success is only measured by grand, immediate displays of power and wealth, contrasting it with God's patient work.
• For these seven eyes: The numeral 'seven' (שִׁבְעָה - shiv'ah) consistently represents completeness and perfection in biblical symbolism. These "seven eyes" of the Lord point to the fullness of God's perfect omniscience and complete oversight. They are intrinsically linked to the "seven spirits of God" mentioned in Rev 5:6, and perhaps prophetically to the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:6 "not by might... but by my Spirit"). They embody God's full knowledge and constant, perfect attention to all things.
• of the LORD: Emphasizes the divine ownership and activity behind these "eyes." It's not human sight, but the all-seeing, all-knowing presence of Yahweh Himself.
• which range through the whole earth: This further underscores God's omnipresence and His active engagement with every part of His creation. His perfect sight is not limited to Jerusalem but encompasses all affairs, assuring that even the obscure work of the temple's rebuilding is fully perceived and known by Him.
• will rejoice: This is a powerful anthropomorphism, signifying God's profound approval, satisfaction, and delight in the progress, no matter how small, as long as it is undertaken in faith and obedience. It assures the discouraged that their efforts are not in vain, but seen and celebrated by the Almighty.
• when they see: This clarifies the object of God's rejoicing – not just general progress, but a specific, symbolic act of measurement and commitment to integrity.
• the plumb line: The Hebrew `אֶבֶן הַבְּדִיל` (even ha'bedil) literally means "stone of tin" or "stone of lead," used as a plumb bob. A plumb line is a builder's tool used to determine vertical accuracy and ensure a structure is straight and true. Spiritually, it signifies divine standards, integrity, justice, and the methodical progress towards a structurally sound completion.
• in the hand of Zerubbabel: Zerubbabel was the governor and political leader of the returning exiles, tasked by God with overseeing the temple's rebuilding (Zech 4:7-9). His holding the plumb line indicates his active role as God's instrument in bringing about this divine building project. It signifies God's endorsement of Zerubbabel's leadership and the eventual, righteous completion of the temple through his dedicated effort.

• "Who has despised the day of small things?": This rhetorical question highlights a human flaw: a tendency to judge value based on immediate size or splendor, neglecting the potential or ultimate significance of modest beginnings. It directly challenges the pessimistic outlook of the community and any external detractors who mock their limited progress.
• "these seven eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth": This phrase beautifully depicts God's comprehensive, active omniscience and providence. It suggests that nothing, not even the smallness of the rebuilding project, escapes His notice or care. It contrasts human shortsightedness with divine oversight, ensuring that the work is constantly watched over and guarded.
• "will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel": This is a pivotal point. It signifies God's joy not only in the final outcome but also in the process, the adherence to His standard (plumb line), and the faithful execution by His chosen servant. It confirms divine approval of the work being done, signaling its legitimate foundation and guaranteed completion, regardless of the challenges or limited resources. God's rejoicing provides divine affirmation and motivation to persevere.

Zechariah 4 10 Bonus section

The concept of the "seven eyes of the LORD" not only symbolizes God's omniscience but also His perfect agency and the comprehensive power of His Holy Spirit (linked to the sevenfold Spirit in Revelation and the Spirit being given without measure to Christ). This underlines that the completion of the temple would not be by Zerubbabel's physical might or the people's resources, but by divine enablement, an ongoing theme throughout Zechariah 4. This emphasis reassures the builders that the seeming smallness of their initial efforts is no barrier to God, whose vision is comprehensive and whose power is limitless. The act of holding the plumb line by Zerubbabel indicates his priestly role (as a builder of God's house, even as a governor) and his being a forerunner or type of Christ, who would ultimately build the true spiritual temple (Heb 3:6). This vision provides a foundation for understanding how God uses imperfect human instruments to achieve perfect divine ends.

Zechariah 4 10 Commentary

Zechariah 4:10 serves as a profound encouragement to believers through the ages, directly addressing the discouragement that can arise when God's work appears insignificant or slow. The phrase "the day of small things" identifies a common temptation to belittle projects or ministries that lack outward grandeur or immediate impact. God, however, operates differently from human estimation. His "seven eyes" – representing His perfect, all-encompassing knowledge and Spirit-led activity – perpetually "range through the whole earth." This signifies His constant watchfulness, active involvement, and complete awareness of every detail, particularly the struggles and efforts of His people. He does not overlook even the most modest beginnings or unseen toils.

The climax of God's perspective is His "rejoicing" when Zerubbabel is seen with "the plumb line." The plumb line, a builder's tool for ensuring straightness and accuracy, here symbolizes adherence to divine standards and methodical, righteous progress. God's joy indicates His approval of Zerubbabel's (and by extension, the community's) commitment to faithful, precise building, assuring that the work, though small in appearance, is aligned with His will and destined for completion. It underlines that divine approval is granted not by the scale of human output, but by faithfulness to His standards, knowing that the "small" work is empowered by His boundless Spirit. The message is clear: persevere with integrity, for God sees, God empowers, and God delights in the humble obedience that faithfully engages in His divine construction, guaranteeing its completion beyond human capacity.