Zechariah 4 13

Zechariah 4:13 kjv

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zechariah 4:13 nkjv

Then he answered me and said, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord."

Zechariah 4:13 niv

He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said.

Zechariah 4:13 esv

He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."

Zechariah 4:13 nlt

"Don't you know?" he asked. "No, my lord," I replied.

Zechariah 4 verses

Zechariah 4 13 Meaning

Zechariah 4:13 captures a pivotal moment of inquiry and admission of ignorance within a divine vision. Following the prophet's observation of a detailed vision involving a lampstand and two olive trees (Zech 4:1-12), the angel engaging him pauses to test Zechariah's understanding. Zechariah honestly responds that he does not comprehend the meaning of these symbols, thus opening the way for the divine revelation that follows concerning God's chosen instruments and the power of His Spirit in the rebuilding of the temple and restoration of His people. It signifies that divine truth is not self-evident and requires spiritual illumination from God.

Zechariah 4 13 Context

Zechariah 4:13 is nestled within Zechariah's fourth prophetic vision (Zech 4:1-14), focusing on a golden lampstand and two olive trees. This vision served to encourage the Jewish exiles who had returned to Judah after the Babylonian captivity and were struggling to rebuild the Second Temple. The work was fraught with political opposition, economic hardship, and internal discouragement. Zerubbabel, the civil governor, and Joshua, the High Priest, were key leaders facing this monumental task. The previous verses (Zech 4:11-12) describe Zechariah asking about the two olive branches and trees, setting up the direct question in Zech 4:13. Zechariah's admission of ignorance serves as a common prophetic device, highlighting that understanding these divine revelations is not through human intellect but through God's gracious explanation, which is provided in Zech 4:14. This revelation concerns the anointing and empowerment of Zerubbabel and Joshua by God's Spirit for the monumental task of rebuilding, conveying the core message: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts" (Zech 4:6).

Zechariah 4 13 Word analysis

• Then he answered: Signifies the continuation of a dialogue, indicating the angel's turn to speak after Zechariah's prior inquiry about the vision (Zech 4:11).
• and said to me: A direct address from the interpreting angel to Zechariah. Emphasizes the personal and instructional nature of the communication.
• “Do you not know: A rhetorical question implying that the prophet should understand, or at least be on the verge of understanding, but primarily functions to prompt the admission of ignorance. It highlights the divine wisdom that surpasses human comprehension.
• what these are?”: Refers directly to the previously described elements of the vision: the two olive trees and the two olive branches, integral to the lampstand. The angel is drawing Zechariah's attention back to the specifics he was asking about.
• And I said: Zechariah's direct response, indicating his readiness to receive divine instruction.
• “No, my lord.” (לֹא אֲדֹנִֽי, lo adonai): No (לֹא, lo): A simple, emphatic negative. Zechariah admits his complete lack of understanding of the symbols' meaning. This humility is key to receiving spiritual insight. my lord (אֲדֹנִֽי, adonai): A deferential and respectful address used for superior individuals, whether human or angelic. It signifies Zechariah's acknowledgment of the angel's authority and his position as a recipient of divine revelation. It sets the tone for an instructional relationship, emphasizing that true knowledge comes from God through His messenger, not human speculation.

• "Do you not know what these are?": This phrasing from the angel implies a level of expectation, perhaps that the symbols might hint at their meaning to a prophet. However, it also serves as a pedagogical method, inviting the prophet to articulate his lack of knowledge before the revelation. This dynamic emphasizes the need for divine interpretation for spiritual truths.
• "No, my lord.": Zechariah's concise and humble admission. This is crucial as it demonstrates intellectual honesty and spiritual receptiveness. Without this acknowledgment of spiritual ignorance, the divine explanation that follows in Zechariah 4:14 would not be received in its full significance. It models a necessary posture for anyone seeking spiritual understanding: humility before divine truth.

Zechariah 4 13 Bonus section

The structure of Zechariah's visions often follows a pattern:

1. Vision Displayed: The prophet sees a symbolic scene (Zech 4:1-5, then more detail in 4:11-12).
2. Prophet's Question/Confusion: The prophet is confused or asks for explanation (Zech 4:11, then reinforced by 4:13's "No, my lord").
3. Angel's Interpretation: The angelic guide provides the meaning (foreshadowed by 4:6-10 and fully delivered in 4:14).

This particular pattern emphasizes that divine revelation is often progressive and requires the Holy Spirit's enlightenment, not just natural observation. The admission of ignorance (as in Zech 4:13) is often the precise moment when the Lord intervenes to provide understanding, a common motif across prophetic books.

Zechariah 4 13 Commentary

Zechariah 4:13 marks a critical turning point within the fourth vision, transitioning from observation and initial inquiry to direct divine interpretation. The angel's question, "Do you not know what these are?" is not accusatory but revelatory in its intent, designed to elicit Zechariah's humble confession of ignorance. This 'no' from the prophet is a gateway; it demonstrates that understanding God's plans and spiritual realities is not a matter of human intellect or cleverness but a gift of divine revelation. Zechariah's willingness to admit he does not know, addressing the angel with respectful "my lord," prepares him—and by extension, the struggling community of Judah—to receive the profound truth in the following verse about God's chosen "anointed ones" and the supremacy of His Spirit in achieving seemingly impossible tasks like temple rebuilding. This moment underscores the principle that God often teaches those who acknowledge their need for His wisdom.