Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zechariah 4:3
And two olive trees by it, one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof.
3. two olive trees ] We learn afterwards (Zec 4:11-12) that each of these had a fruit-bearing “branch,” which “emptied itself” (its oil) by a golden tube into the oil-bowl of the candlestick. Human agency is again set aside. The berries become oil without the aid of man.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Two olive trees; some say branches; better trees, which, well rooted, will continue, and perpetually supply the bowls, and that will supply the lamps.
One; not more, or fewer than two.
Upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof; so placed that the candlestick stood between them, and each tree stood at distance from the candlestick, on the right and left hand thereof, that they might distil their oil into the bason or bowl: all which is an emblem of the church, both what it is made of, pure gold; what made for, to be light in the world; to shine as lamps that continually burn, maintained with pure oil, distilled from the olive trees, not pressed out by man, but continually, freely, and abundantly dropping or flowing from these olive trees.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. two olive treessupplyingoil to the bowl. The Holy Ghost, who fills with His fulness Messiah(the anointed: the “bowl”), from whom flow suppliesof grace to the Church.
by itliterally, “uponit,” that is, growing so as somewhat to overtop it. For theexplanation of the “two” see Zec 4:12;Zec 4:14.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the two olive trees by it,…. Which are explained in,
[See comments on Zec 4:14]:
one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof; in Zec 4:11 they are said to be on the right and left sides of the bowl or candlestick, which is the same; for the situation of them was alike, with respect to the one and the other: according to Fortunatus Scacchus, these two olive trees did not arise out of the earth, and the top of the candlestick; but out of the base of the candlestick, one on the right hand of the bowl, which hung in the middle of the candlestick; and the other on the left o, of which he has given the figure.
o Ibid. (Sacer. Elaeochrism, Myrothec. l. 1.) c. 12. p. 62.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
We must now then enquire the meaning of the vision. Many understand by the candlestick the Church; and this may be allowed. At the same time I think that God here simply testified to the Jews, that in having commanded them to set up a candlestick, he did not appoint an empty, or a deceptive, but a real symbol. God no doubt represented by the lamps the graces, or the various gifts of his Spirit; yet the idea of a sevenfold grace is a mere fancy; for God did not intend to confine to that number the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the variety of which is manifold, even almost infinite. Hence the number seven designates perfection, according to the common usage of Scripture. God then intended by placing the candlestick in the midst of the temple, to show that the grace of his Spirit always shines in his Church, not of one kind only, but so that there was nothing wanting as to its perfection. Some think that teachers are represented by the lamps; but as I have already said, it is better to take a simple view of the meaning than refinedly to philosophise on the subject. There is indeed no doubt but that God pours forth his graces to illuminate his Church by his ministers; this we find by experience; but what I have stated is sufficient that God never forsakes his Church, but illuminates it with the gifts of his Spirit; while yet the variety of these gifts is set forth by the seven lamps. This is one thing.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Zec 4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right [side] of the bowl, and the other upon the left [side] thereof.
Ver. 3. And two olive trees by it ] The two chief branches whereof through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves, Zec 4:12 , that is, the Spirit of grace infuseth all precious graces (much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried in the fire) into the Church. Hence grace is called the fruits of the Spirit, Gal 5:22 , yea, Spirit, Gal 5:25 . Danaeus’s note here is, though from these two olive trees there was continual oil poured into that burning candlestick that it should never dry up or be put out, yet are not these olives said to be pressed by any man, which notwithstanding, among us, must needs after an ordinary manner be done, that the oil may flow or run from them. Neither is this oil said to flow, nor with toil and labour to be carried from one part or place into another, that there may be always oil for the candlestick; but there stand these olive trees growing, and dropping down oil into the bowl, and this of themselves, without the help or service of any men or oil mills; to show, saith another interpreter, that God’s grace only is sufficient for his Church, to repair and maintain the same without all other means, against all opposition of man; and this is the scope of this vision.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Zec 4:11, Zec 4:12, Zec 4:14, Jdg 9:9, Rom 11:17, Rom 11:24, Rev 11:4
Reciprocal: Exo 25:33 – and three Lev 24:4 – the pure 1Ch 28:15 – the candlesticks 2Ch 4:7 – ten candlesticks Mat 25:4 – oil
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Zec 4:3. The oil that was used in the lamps was olive oil. hence the need for the olive trees which, were literal in the first application.