Zechariah 4 6

Zechariah 4:6 kjv

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6 nkjv

So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6 niv

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 4:6 esv

Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:6 nlt

Then he said to me, "This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Zechariah 4 verses

Zechariah 4 6 Meaning

Zechariah 4:6 conveys a pivotal message about the source of true power and successful accomplishment, particularly in God's work. It declares that divine undertakings, no matter how daunting, are not achieved through human physical strength, military might, personal capability, or strategic planning. Instead, they are solely by the enabling and empowering activity of God's Spirit. This verse served as a direct encouragement to Zerubbabel, who faced immense obstacles in rebuilding the temple, assuring him that the task would be completed not by his own limitations or the might of the Judahites, but by the omnipotence of the Lord's Spirit.

Zechariah 4 6 Context

Zechariah 4:6 is a pivotal verse within Zechariah's night visions, specifically the fifth vision (4:1-10). Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, faced the daunting task of rebuilding the Second Temple after the return from Babylonian exile. The post-exilic community was small, impoverished, and beleaguered by surrounding adversaries who actively hindered their work (Ezra 4). Discouragement was high, and the project seemed insurmountable due to the lack of resources, manpower, and political obstacles.

The vision preceding this verse involves a solid gold lampstand (menorah), symbolizing the temple and God's illuminating presence, flanked by two olive trees supplying it continuously with oil, symbolizing God's ceaseless anointing and power through His chosen leaders (Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest). The prophet Zechariah asks for the meaning, and the angel responds with this profound declaration. It shifts the focus from the human limitations and the magnitude of the task to God's divine empowerment. It reassures Zerubbabel that the temple would be completed, not by a great army or mighty strength, but by the enabling power of God's Spirit, making clear that the divine initiative and power would guarantee the successful rebuilding despite all earthly hindrances.

Zechariah 4 6 Word analysis

• This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:
  • This opening phrase emphasizes divine authorship and direct address. It signifies a clear, authoritative, and direct message from God (Yahweh) specifically intended for Zerubbabel, highlighting the personal nature of God's involvement in the work. It establishes the prophetic oracle's undeniable authority and certainty.
• 'Not by might':
  • Might (Hebrew: chayil, חַיִל): This word denotes physical strength, valor, military force, an army, or wealth/resources. It implies power that humans possess or can accumulate – a tangible, measurable force. In this context, it explicitly dismisses the idea that the temple rebuilding would depend on Judah's physical ability to overcome enemies or their material wealth. The work cannot be accomplished by human prowess or by marshalling significant numbers of soldiers or funds.
• 'Nor by power':
  • Power (Hebrew: koach, כֹּחַ): This word refers to strength, capability, or inner energy, often encompassing physical vigor, intellectual capacity, or inherent ability. While similar to chayil, koach can refer to a more intrinsic or internal human capacity. The repetition serves as an emphatic double negation, firmly ruling out every aspect of human strength, whether external (military, resources) or internal (skill, capacity, inherent vigor), as the source of accomplishment for God's purposes. It refutes self-reliance in all forms.
• 'but by My Spirit,':
  • Spirit (Hebrew: ruach, רוּחַ): This is the direct contrast and the core message. Ruach refers to the Spirit of God, the active divine presence and enabling power of Yahweh. It is the uncreated, supernatural force by which God accomplishes His will, animates life, imparts gifts, and empowers His servants. The Ruach Yahweh (Spirit of the Lord) is omnipotent, transcends all human limitations, and operates sovereignly. This emphasizes that God's work is His alone, performed through His active and pervasive divine agent, making the impossible possible.
• 'says the LORD of hosts.':
  • LORD of hosts (Hebrew: Yahweh Tseba'ot, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת): This divine title underscores God's omnipotence and absolute sovereignty. Tseba'ot literally means "armies" or "hosts," referring to either celestial armies of angels or earthly armies at His command. This title directly challenges the notion of reliance on human armies (chayil) by reminding the hearer that the ultimate, truly irresistible army is God's. It reaffirms the speaker's authority and capability to accomplish His word despite all human or demonic opposition.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,": This phrase constitutes a striking theological declaration of divine dependency. It presents a strong contrast (an antithesis) between two entirely different realms of power: finite human capability versus infinite divine power. The deliberate repetition of the negative (not by... nor by...) serves to absolutely negate all human agency as the primary or even secondary source of efficacy in this divine endeavor. The "but by My Spirit" introduces the singular and sufficient divine alternative, asserting that success in God's work hinges entirely on the active, indwelling, and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, independent of human strength, resources, or genius. This refutes any humanistic approach to fulfilling God's will.
• "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel... says the LORD of hosts.": This forms an inclusio, a divine sandwich. The message begins and ends with an affirmation of its divine origin and authoritative speaker. This literary device solidifies the truth and certainty of the declaration. By directly addressing Zerubbabel, God shows His personal concern and involvement with His servant and the project. The concluding "LORD of hosts" powerfully asserts the absolute omnipotence and authoritative will of the God who commands all creation, underscoring that His Spirit possesses the ultimate power to fulfill any task He ordains, overcoming any earthly 'mountain' of opposition. This frames the core message within an unassailable divine guarantee.

Zechariah 4 6 Bonus section

This verse carries a deep polemic against humanistic self-sufficiency and the prevalent ancient Near Eastern reliance on powerful armies, skilled engineers, or the patronage of great empires for building projects or securing peace. The divine decree through Zechariah declares that God's temple (and by extension, His kingdom work) operates on an entirely different principle – not earthly chayil or koach, but heavenly ruach. This stood in stark contrast to empires like Persia, which wielded massive might. God explicitly disconnects His work from these temporal and often brutal displays of power, positioning His Spirit as the true and sole source of efficacy. The building of the Second Temple, much less grand than Solomon's, became a living testimony to this truth. This principle resonates throughout the Bible, demonstrating that God frequently chooses the weak and the foolish to confound the strong, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him, rather than to human ability or resourcefulness (1 Cor 1:27-29).

Zechariah 4 6 Commentary

Zechariah 4:6 serves as a foundational declaration of divine sovereignty and the modus operandi for God's work throughout history. It directly counters the natural human inclination to rely on visible resources, personal strengths, or impressive strategies. In a context of weakness, poverty, and opposition, Zerubbabel was told that the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding the temple would not succeed through human might or ingenuity but by the active presence and empowerment of God's Spirit. This shifts the focus from "how will we do it?" to "God will do it through us." It emphasizes that true spiritual progress and divine accomplishment are rooted in God's initiative and supernatural power, not in human efforts alone. It fosters humility, dependency on God, and confidence in His ability to overcome any obstacle. The Spirit of God is portrayed as the ultimate force for overcoming spiritual and physical 'mountains,' making clear that divine purposes are always achieved through divine means.

This verse practically encourages believers today to:

• Lean not on own understanding/strength: Recognize limitations in ministry, evangelism, or personal struggles.
• Pray for Spirit's empowering: Actively seek God's Spirit to enable and accomplish His will.
• Trust in divine provision: Believe that God provides the necessary means and power for what He calls one to do.