Zechariah 4:12-14

Contemporary English Version

¹²And what is the meaning of the two branches from which golden olive oil^[a] flows through the two gold pipes?”

¹³“Don't you know?” he asked.

“No sir, I don't,” was my answer.

¹⁴Then he told me, “These branches are the two chosen leaders^[b] who stand beside the Lord of all the earth.”

4.12 golden olive oil: The Hebrew text has “gold,” which possibly refers to the color of the olive oil as it flows through the gold pipe.
4.14 chosen leaders: The Hebrew text has “people of oil.” In ancient times prophets, priests, and kings had olive oil poured over their heads to show that they had been chosen (see 1 Samuel 10.1; 16.13).