{"id":9442,"date":"2026-06-09T16:02:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/answers\/zakharyia-4-14-y-skazal-on-eto-dva-pomazannye-eleem-predstoiashchye-hospodu-vsei\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T16:02:52","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:02:52","slug":"hto-taki-dva-pomazani-yeleyem-u-zahariyi-414","status":"publish","type":"answers","link":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/answers\/hto-taki-dva-pomazani-yeleyem-u-zahariyi-414\/","title":{"rendered":"Who are the two anointed ones in Zechariah 4:14?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Zechariah 4:14, the \u201ctwo anointed ones\u201d most likely refer to Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the ruler.<\/strong> Through this image, God shows that His work is accomplished not by human strength, but by the Holy Spirit, who works through those dedicated to His service.<\/em><\/p>\n

Zechariah\u2019s prophecy was given at a time when God\u2019s people needed encouragement after returning from captivity. The rebuilding of the temple and the spiritual restoration of Israel were progressing with difficulty. It is in this context that the prophet sees a lampstand, oil, and two anointed ones standing before the Lord of all the earth. This picture does not merely describe two people, but reveals an important spiritual principle: God sustains His church through His presence and through those whom He has called to ministry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen he said, \u2018These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.\u2019\u201d Zech 4:14<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The historical meaning of the two anointed ones<\/h2>\n

In its immediate meaning, the text points to two leaders of post-exilic Israel: Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel, a descendant of David and the leader of the people. One represented the priesthood, the other civil leadership. Together they were God\u2019s instruments for rebuilding the temple and ordering the life of the nation.<\/p>\n

The book of Zechariah repeatedly draws attention specifically to Zerubbabel. God assures him that he will complete the work he began, even though the obstacles seemed great.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of: \u2018Grace, grace to it!\u2019\u201d Zech 4:7<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThe hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you.\u201d Zech 4:9<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

At the same time, the ministry of Joshua the high priest was no less important. Through him, God was restoring worship, cleansing, and the covenant relationship of the people with Himself. Thus, the two anointed ones are not random figures, but a symbol of God\u2019s order: spiritual ministry and responsible leadership must be submitted to the Lord.<\/p>\n

Why they are called \u201csons of oil\u201d<\/h2>\n

In the original, the expression may be rendered \u201csons of oil\u201d or \u201csons of fresh oil.\u201d Oil in the Bible often symbolizes the Holy Spirit, consecration, and God\u2019s blessing. The idea here is not that these men had power in themselves, but that God supplied them with everything necessary for service.<\/p>\n

The central verse of the chapter explains this very clearly:<\/p>\n

\u201cNot by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,\u2019 says the Lord of hosts.\u201d Zech. 4:6<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So the vision does not glorify human leaders, but exalts God\u2019s Spirit. The lamp burns not because someone constantly adds oil through human effort, but because God Himself sustains the light. For Adventist understanding, this is very important: the mission of the church, the preaching of the gospel, spiritual revival, and faithfulness in trials are possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

Ellen White repeatedly emphasized that God\u2019s work must never depend on human self-sufficiency. When the Lord calls someone to service, He also gives the grace, wisdom, and strength to fulfill it. This fully agrees with the message of Zechariah 4.<\/p>\n

The prophetic and spiritual meaning<\/h2>\n

Although the primary meaning concerns Joshua and Zerubbabel, the image also has a broader spiritual dimension. In Scripture, God often uses specific historical figures as foreshadowings of future spiritual realities. The priest and the ruler together point to God\u2019s care for His people in its fullness: cleansing, guidance, protection, and the fulfillment of His purpose.<\/p>\n

Some interpreters also connect this symbolism with the two witnesses in the book of Revelation, where the language of two olive trees and two lampstands appears again. This shows that God will always have a witness on earth, even in the darkest times.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the Lord of the earth.\u201d Rev 11:4<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, it is important not to lose the main point of Zechariah\u2019s text: power comes from God. Human instruments are important, but the source of victory is not in them, but in the Lord.<\/p>\n

What this text says to the church today<\/h2>\n

The modern reader may easily focus on the question: \u201cWho exactly are these two?\u201d But Zechariah leads us to a deeper question: \u201cWhere does the light for God\u2019s people come from?\u201d The answer is one: from the Lord through the working of His Spirit.<\/p>\n

This is relevant for every congregation, family, and individual believer. We may have plans, organization, experience, and talents, but without God\u2019s Spirit none of it produces true spiritual fruit. The church is not sustained by structures alone; it lives when the Lord supplies the \u201coil.\u201d<\/p>\n

This passage also teaches us to respect different kinds of ministry. In God\u2019s work there is a place both for spiritual guidance and for practical leadership. When they are sanctified by God, they do not conflict with one another, but cooperate for His glory.<\/p>\n

Conclusion.<\/h2>\n

Zechariah 4:14 is best understood as a reference to the two anointed servants of God at that time\u2014Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel, the leader of the people. They stood before the Lord as His servants, through whom He supported the restoration of Israel. But the main meaning of the vision lies not only in their persons, but in God\u2019s principle: His work is carried out by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

The practical application is simple and very important: when a great task stands before you, do not rely only on your own resources. Pray for the Holy Spirit, be faithful in your calling, and remember that God gives both the light, the strength, and the completion of the work He Himself has begun.<\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"faq_question":"\u0425\u0442\u043e \u0442\u0430\u043a\u0456 \u0434\u0432\u0430 \u043f\u043e\u043c\u0430\u0437\u0430\u043d\u0456 \u0454\u043b\u0435\u0454\u043c \u0443 \u0417\u0430\u0445\u0430\u0440\u0456\u0457 4:14?","bible_refs":"Zechariah 4:14, Zechariah 4:7, Zechariah 4:9, Zechariah 4:6, Revelation 11:4","answer_lang":"uk","source_question":"# \u0417\u0430\u0445\u0430\u0440\u0438\u044f 4:14\n\u00b9\u2074 \u0418\u00a0\u0441\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u043b \u043e\u043d: \u044d\u0442\u043e \u0434\u0432\u0430 \u043f\u043e\u043c\u0430\u0437\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044b\u0435 \u0435\u043b\u0435\u0435\u043c, \u043f\u0440\u0435\u0434\u0441\u0442\u043e\u044f\u0449\u0438\u0435 \u0413\u043e\u0441\u043f\u043e\u0434\u0443 \u0432\u0441\u0435\u0439 \u0437\u0435\u043c\u043b\u0438."},"answer_topic":[144],"class_list":["post-9442","answers","type-answers","status-publish","hentry","answer_topic-prophecy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/answers\/9442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/answers"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/answers"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"answer_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/answer_topic?post=9442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}