Discovery BoxZechariah 3:7
Context3:7 “The Lord who rules over all says, ‘If you live 1 and work according to my requirements, you will be able to preside over my temple 2 and attend to my courtyards, and I will allow you to come and go among these others who are standing by you.
Zechariah 4:10
Context4:10 For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes 3 will joyfully look on the tin tablet 4 in Zerubbabel’s hand. (These are the eyes of the Lord, which constantly range across the whole earth.)
Zechariah 8:12
Context8:12 ‘for there will be a peaceful time of sowing, the vine will produce its fruit and the ground its yield, and the skies 5 will rain down dew. Then I will allow the remnant of my people to possess all these things.
[3:7] 1 tn Heb “walk,” a frequent biblical metaphor for lifestyle or conduct; TEV “If you [+ truly CEV] obey.” To “walk” in the ways of the
[3:7] 2 sn The statement you will be able to preside over my temple (Heb “house,” a reference to the Jerusalem temple) is a hint of the increasingly important role the high priest played in the postexilic Jewish community, especially in the absence of a monarchy. It also suggests the messianic character of the eschatological priesthood in which the priest would have royal prerogatives.
[4:10] 3 tn Heb “these seven.” Eyes are clearly intended in the ellipsis as v. 10b shows. As in 3:9 the idea is God’s omniscience. He who knows the end from the beginning rejoices at the completion of his purposes.
[4:10] 4 tn This term is traditionally translated “plumb line” (so NASB, NIV, NLT; cf. KJV, NRSV “plummet”), but it is more likely that the Hebrew בְּדִיל (bÿdil) is to be derived not from בָּדַל (badal), “to divide,” but from a root meaning “tin.” This finds support in the ancient Near Eastern custom of placing inscriptions on tin plates in dedicatory foundation deposits.
[8:12] 5 tn Or “the heavens” (so KJV, NAB, NIV). The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “skies” depending on the context.
