3There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

4Then I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?”

5“Don’t you know what they are?” replied the angel who was speaking with me.

6So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’4:6 Hs 1:7; Hg 2:4–5 says the Lord of Armies.

7‘What are you, great mountain?4:7 Mt 17:20; 21:21; 1Co 13:2 Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain.4:7 Is 40:4 And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it! ’”

8Then the word of the Lord came to me:4:8 Zch 6:9

9“Zerubbabel’s hands have laid the foundation of this house,4:9 Ezr 3:8–11; 5:16 and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Armies has sent me to you.

10For who despises the day of small things?4:10 Hg 2:3–4 These seven eyes of the Lord, which scan throughout the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the ceremonial stone4:10 Lit the tin stone in Zerubbabel’s hand.”4:10 2Ch 16:9; Ps 34:15; Pr 15:3; Am 9:8; 1Pt 3:12

11I asked him, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?”

12And I questioned him further, “What are the two streams4:12 Or branches of the olive trees, from which the golden oil is pouring through the two golden conduits?”

13Then he inquired of me, “Don’t you know what these are?”

14“These are the two anointed ones,”4:14 = Joshua and Zerubbabel4:14 Jr 33:17–22 he said, “who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”4:14 Rv 11:3–4