Bible Commentary

Zechariah 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 4:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The angel that talked with me. The interpreting angel is meant. Came again, and waked me. It is thought that the angel, who is said () to have gone forth, now rejoined the prophet and renewed his colloquy with him.

But the expression in the text is probably only equivalent to "aroused me again" (comp. ; , , etc.). Absorbed in awe and wonder at the contemplation of the preceding vision, the prophet had fallen into a state of exhaustion and torpor, as Daniel slept after his great visions (; , ), and the apostles were heavy with sleep on the Mount of Transfiguration ().

From this mental prostration the angel arouses him to renewed attention. Or what is meant may be that the change wrought on the faculties by the Divine influence was as great as that between natural sleeping and waking.

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