<\/p>
Some notes on Zechariah 4, with a rough translation following. <\/p>\n
1) Structurally, the passage is most clearly organized around the exchanges between the interpreting angel and Zechariah. Most obvious is the parallel between verses 4-5 and 11-13; together with the angel\u2019s response, these questions form a frame around a central section which is (uniquely in this chapter, cf. 1:1, 7; 6:9; 7:1, etc.) delivered by the word of Yahweh (vv. 8-10). Thus, the structure is roughly: <\/p>\n
A. Vision, vv. 1-3 <\/p>\n
B. Exchange regarding the meaning of the vision, vv. 4-7 <\/p>\n
A\u2019. Word of Yahweh, vv. 8-10 <\/p>\n
B\u2019. Exchange regarding meaning of vision, vv. 11-14 <\/p>\n
2) On the other hand, the references to Zerubbabel in verses 6, 7, 9, 10 suggests a chiastic structure: <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A. Vision, vv. 1-4 <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
B. Exchange about vision, v. 5 <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
C. Prophecy concerning Zerubbabel, vv. 6-7 <\/p>\n
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C\u2019. Prophecy concerning Zerubbabel from word of Yahweh, vv. 8-10 <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
B\u2019. Exchange about the vision, vv. 12-13 <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A\u2019. Explanation of the trees in the vision, v. 14 <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
3) Verse 9 contains another piece of Zechariah proto-Trinitarianism. Yahweh, or the word of Yahweh, is speaking (v. 8), and yet in v. 9 the Yahweh (or word of Yahweh) who speaks with the prophet says that He has been sent by Yahweh of hosts. Yahweh sent by Yahweh; God from God, very God from very God. <\/p>\n
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The translation: <\/p>\n
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And returned the angel who was speaking with me <\/p>\n
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And he roused me as a man who is roused from his sleep. <\/p>\n
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And he said to me, \u201cWhat are you seeing?\u201d <\/p>\n
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And I said, \u201cI see, and behold: <\/p>\n
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\tA menorah, gold, all of it <\/p>\n
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\tAnd its bowl on its head <\/p>\n
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\tAnd its seven lamps on it seven <\/p>\n
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\tAnd seven lips to the lamps which [are] on its head. <\/p>\n
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\tAnd two olive trees on it <\/p>\n
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\tOne right of the bowl <\/p>\n
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\tAnd one on its left.\u201d <\/p>\n
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And I answered and said to the angel who was speaking with me, saying, <\/p>\n
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\t\u201cWhat are these, my master?\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And answered the angel who was speaking with me, and he said to me, <\/p>\n
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\t\u201cDo you not know what these are?\u201d <\/p>\n
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And I said, \u201cNo, my master.\u201d <\/p>\n
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And he answered and said to me, saying, <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThis word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, <\/p>\n
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\tNot with prowess <\/p>\n
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\tAnd not with strength <\/p>\n
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\tFor with in My Spirit <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tSays Yahweh of hosts. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tWhat are you, mountain, the great one <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tBefore Zerubbabel as level-ground. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tAnd he will cause to come forth the stone, the head one <\/p>\n
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\tShouts \u2013 Favor, Favor to it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
<\/p>
<\/p>\n
And it happened the word of Yahweh to me, saying, <\/p>\n
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\t\u201cHands of Zerubbabel founded this house <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tAnd his hands will cut it off. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tAnd you will know that Yahweh of Hosts sent me to you.\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tFor who despised to the day of small things <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tAnd they will rejoice <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tAnd they will see the stone of tin in the hand of Zerubbabel. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tSeven these, eyes of Yahweh, <\/p>\n
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\tRoaming in all the earth\/land.\u201d <\/p>\n\n
<\/p>
<\/p>\n
And I answered and I said to him, <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWhat are the two, these olive trees <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tOn the right of the menorah and on its left?\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And I answered a second time and said to him. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\t\u201cWhat are the two streams of the olive trees <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tWhich in the hand of the two spouts, the gold, <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tWhich empty from them the gold?\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And he said to me, saying, <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\t\u201cDo you not know what these [are]?\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And I said, <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\t\u201cNo, my master.\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And he said, <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\t\u201cThese are the two sons of olive-oil <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\tWho stand by the master of all the earth\/land.\u201d <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Some thoughts on the text. <\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Some notes on Zechariah 4, with a rough translation following. 1) Structurally, the passage is most clearly organized around the exchanges between the interpreting angel and Zechariah. Most obvious is the parallel between verses 4-5 and 11-13; together with the angel\u2019s response, these questions form a frame around a central section which is (uniquely in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3021,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[78],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible-ot-zechariah"],"yoast_head":"\n