Zec 4:12, 14 | JFB | STEP | 12. through —literally, "by the hand of," that is, by the agency of. branches —literally, "ears"; so the olive branches are called, because as ears are full of grain, so the olive branches are full of olives. golden oil —literally, "gold," that is, gold-like liquor. out of themselves —Ordinances and ministers are channels of grace, not the grace itself. The supply comes not from a dead reservoir of oil, but through living olive trees ( ) fed by God.

Zechariah 4:12

12. through—literally, "by the hand of," that is, by the agency of.

branches—literally, "ears"; so the olive branches are called, because as ears are full of grain, so the olive branches are full of olives.

golden oil —literally, "gold," that is, gold-like liquor.

out of themselves—Ordinances and ministers are channels of grace, not the grace itself. The supply comes not from a dead reservoir of oil, but through living olive trees (Ps 52:8; Ro 12:1) fed by God.

Zechariah 4:14

14. anointed ones—literally, "sons of oil" (Isa 5:1, Margin). Joshua the high priest, and Zerubbabel the civil ruler, must first be anointed with grace themselves, so as to be the instruments of furnishing it to others (compare 1Jo 2:20, 27).