The Two Anointed Ones: The Two Trees in Zechariah 4

He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord."
Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech 4:11-14)

[Note: Before reading this article, it may be beneficial to read the articles “Rethinking the Olive Tree” and “Who Let the Other Tree In the Orchard”, as these two articles deeply expound some of the principles discussed here and may serve to lay a foundation for the information presented throughout this article.]

In recognizing that the Word of יהוה communicates through parables, we have learned to pay extremely close attention to the imagery conveyed in a passage. We have also learned the significance of applying the principles of His kingdom as we read and interpret His Word.

The passage in Zechariah 4 shares a prophetic description of what shall occur in the last days. Included in the passage is the following imagery:​​

• a golden lampstand
• two trees by the lampstand, one on the right and one on the left
• golden oil
• two anointed ones that stand before יהוה of the whole earth

Let’s refer to the shadow of the tabernacle in the wilderness and refresh our understanding of the principles of the kingdom of יהוה regarding the above concepts.

​The Golden Lampstand

The details concerning the earthly lampstand (menorah) convey the imagery of golden budding and blossoming almond branches which unite to a center golden budding and blossoming almond branch. All the branches are hammered together as one piece and all the branches produce the fruit of light (Exo 25:31-40, 37:17-24). So, if the golden lampstand were fashioned according to יהוה’s explicit instructions and according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain (also known as Mountain of Almonds), then the appearance of the golden lampstand should convey the imagery of a budding and blossoming almond tree. In the Hebrew, the word for almond tree [H8247] comes from a root word [H8245] which means to be watchful, to be alert, to be on the lookout. The almond tree is known as the earliest fruit tree to blossom and awaken. The earthly lampstand (menorah) serves as a parable of the Righteous Branch and His branches that abide in Him. When the Righteous Branch proclaimed the following, it is likely that He was referring to the golden lampstand, for the Lamb is the Lamp (Rev 21:23): 

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I am the light of the world. (Joh 8:12)
 
You are the light of the world. (Mat 5:14)
 
I am the [Branch]; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (Joh 15:5)
 
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (Joh 17:21-22)

According to what is written, the golden budding and blossoming almond “tree” lampstand was placed in the holy place in the tabernacle in the wilderness. Only Aaron the high priest and those born of his seed could enter into the holy place and see the golden budding and blossoming lampstand; no one else could enter into the holy place… lest they die. When the camp was to move, Aaron and those born of his seed were to cover and conceal the holy things before the sons of Kohath were allowed to carry them. Therefore, the golden lampstand was either in the holy place – a place where only Aaron or those born of his seed could enter and see – or the golden lampstand was covered and concealed as it was carried through the wilderness by the sons of Kohath. (Num 3:10, 18:1-8, Num 4:1-20)

So in considering what is written in Zechariah 4, it is important to remember the following principles regarding the golden lampstand:

• The lampstand is patterned after budding and blossoming almond branches.
• The lampstand was placed in the holy place, a place where only Aaron and those born of his seed could enter.
• No one other than Aaron and those born of his seed could enter into the holy place lest they die.
• If the lampstand was NOT in the holy place, then it was covered and concealed.

​Anointed Ones

Anoint means to rub with oil, to consecrate. According to the torah (instructions) of יהוה our Magistrate, those who were anointed and consecrated with oil were Aaron and those born of his seed (Exo 28, Exo 30:30, Lev 8). Please note that kings were anointed in the years following the accounts written in Genesis through Deuteronomy.

In order to anoint and consecrate Aaron and those born of his seed, they were brought to the door of the sanctuary, they were washed with water, they were dressed in priestly garments, they were anointed with oil, they were sprinkled with blood, they were waved as a wave offering, they were to eat of ram and unleavened bread (sweetness). (Exo 40, Lev 8) [Consider reading “Disciples Consecrated as Priests” for a further explanation of what seems to have taken place on the night before the Anointed One’s death.]

a budding and blossoming almond branch ripening almonds

It is important to recognize that the Word of יהוה communicates through parables. One such parable communicated throughout the Scriptures is the concept that men are as trees. The tree that represents Aaron and the house of Levi – the watchmen of the tabernacle in the wilderness – is a branch that budded, blossomed and ripened almonds (Num 17). What a fitting representation! A watchful tree to represent those whose duty was to guard, to watch [H8104-shamar]. The duty of the anointed ones (Aaron and those born of his seed) were to guard and watch the priesthood, all that concerns the altar and all that was within the veil. Aaron and those born of his seed – the anointed ones – served יהוה; they ministered to יהוה. They entered the holy place, they saw the holy things and they ate the food from יהוה’s table (translated as “showbread”). The anointed ones stood before יהוה and offered up the offerings on the altar. The anointed ones were to distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and unclean and faithfully teach the children of Israel all the decrees of יהוה (Exo 30:30, Lev 10:10-11, Num 3:10, 8:17, 18:1-8). Please note that only Aaron and those born of his seed were anointed; the other Levites who were NOT born of the seed of the earthly high priest were NOT anointed; rather they were purified. Furthermore, contrary to what is presented in many pictures, the other Levites who were NOT born of the seed of the earthly high priest were NOT given special garments. It is written that the Levites were to be purified by sprinkling them with water, having them shave their whole bodies and washing their garments (Num 8). Thus the only ones who were consecrated and given special garments were Aaron and those born of his seed.

Again, no one other than Aaron and those born of his seed were to enter into the holy place... lest they die. Since men are as trees, no “tree” other than a budding and blossoming almond tree could enter into the holy place… lest they die. In fact, since Aaron’s branch that budded, blossomed and ripened almonds represented the whole house of Levi (Aaron, his sons, and all Levites), no one other than an “almond branch” could even enter into the tabernacle in the wilderness at all… lest they die. [Consider reading “Who Let the Other Tree in the Orchard”.]

So in considering what is written in Zechariah 4, it is important to remember the following principles regarding those who are anointed:

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• In the accounts of Genesis through Deuteronomy, Aaron and those born of his seed were the only ones who were anointed.

• The anointed ones – Aaron and those born of his seed - served יהוה. They were ministers to יהוה.
• The tree that represented the anointed ones and the whole house of Levi is a branch that budded, blossomed and ripened almonds. 

Piecing It All Together

It is extremely important to apply the above principles when reading the passage in Zechariah 4. For יהוה does not change… and neither do the principles of His kingdom. Let’s apply the above principles of the kingdom of יהוה as we carefully dissect the verses in Zechariah 4. Hopefully you will read the chapter in its entirety, as we will only discuss key verses and imagery here.
 
Below are key passages which convey significant imagery for us to consider:

• And the angel who talked with me came again and awakened me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. (v. 1)

• And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lamps on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. (v. 2)

• And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left. (v. 3)

• Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?"  (v. 11)

• And a second time I answered and said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?" (v. 12)​

• These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. (v. 14)

The focus of Chapter 4 centers around a golden lampstand. From the principles of the kingdom of יהוה, we have learned that the earthly lampstand (menorah) is as a budding and blossoming almond “tree” lampstand. The chapter begins with Zechariah being awakened, as a man is awakened from his slumber. Zechariah was a priest… a descendent of Aaron… born of the seed of Aaron. Zechariah was an anointed one. Through the account in Numbers 17, we learn that, Aaron and the house of Levi were represented by a branch that budded, blossomed and ripened almonds. And we have mentioned how the almond tree was created to be the first of the fruit trees to awaken from winter slumber. Upon awakening from his slumber, Zechariah the priest – as a budding and blossoming almond branch - was asked, “What do you see?” In other words, Zechariah was asked to open his “almond” shaped eyes in order to “see” something. Undeniably, the Creator shaped our eyes after the seed of the almond tree for a reason... to serve as a lasting reminder of the very tree that we are to "watch"… the very tree that comes forth from the almond seed… which is the seed that our almond-shaped eyes were patterned after! Zechariah replied that he saw a golden lampstand. Now let us apply another one of the principles of the kingdom of יהוה that were discussed above. If the earthly lampstand (menorah) was in the holy place, then who could see it? Only Aaron and those born of his seed could enter into the holy place where the holy things were located. If the earthly lampstand (menorah) was NOT in the holy place, could anyone see it? No! If the earthly lampstand (menorah) was not in the holy place, then it was to be covered and concealed according to the principle of the kingdom of יהוה, and those carrying it could not even look at it (Lev 4:20). The fact that Zechariah, a priest, was able to see the lampstand hints that the lampstand was not covered and concealed; therefore, the lampstand must have been in the holy place. The next thing Zechariah said, according to the translation, is that he saw two olive trees by the golden lampstand, one on the right and one on the left. As you apply the principles of the kingdom of יהוה discussed above, hopefully you are recognizing a serious problem here. According to the principles of the kingdom of יהוה, the golden lampstand (menorah) was as a budding and blossoming “almond tree” light. If the golden budding and blossoming “almond tree” lampstand was in the holy place, then no one other than Aaron or those born of his seed could enter into the holy place lest they die. If men are as trees and if these two trees in Zechariah 4 represent men, then according to יהוה’s own principles, no “tree” other than a budding and blossoming almond tree shall enter into the holy place… lest they die! Yet this passage is translated as implying that two olive trees – which represent men other than Aaron or the house of Levi – are standing next to the golden lampstand in the holy place. While the translators say the two trees on either side of the golden lampstand were two olive trees, יהוה’s own principles tell us that this cannot be so. Why? Because NO ONE OTHER than Aaron or those born of his seed could enter into the holy place lest they die. Furthermore, these two “olive” trees represent those who “stand by the Sovereign of the whole earth”. According to the Sovereign’s own principles, the only ones who are anointed to serve Him and minister to Him and “stand by” Him were represented by a budding and blossoming almond branch. Not an olive branch! It is written that יהוה does not change (Mal 3:6). Two olive trees in a holy place standing next to a golden lampstand violates the principles of His kingdom. Furthermore, consider the testimony of an olive tree: a tree that is self-pollinated by the wind and yields a fruit so bitter it cannot be eaten raw from the tree; its flesh is plump with grease and its seed is as hard as stone. Thus if men are as trees, then the olive tree represents a people who are self-pollinated by the wind of traditions and doctrines of men, who produce the fruit of rebellion (the Hebrew word for bitter means rebellion-H4805, H4784), who are filled with the spirit of flesh and who have hearts as hard as stone. Therefore, two olive trees cannot represent anointed ones whose duty is to faithfully guard His holy things and to faithfully teach the children of Israel the decrees of יהוה. For these reasons, we do NOT think the “two anointed ones” in the Zechariah 4 passage are two olive trees. The “two anointed ones” in the Zechariah 4 passage who are on the left and on the right of the golden lampstand and who “stand beside the Sovereign of the whole earth” MUST be as two almond trees! For no other man... no other “tree” other than a branch which budded, blossomed and ripened almonds was anointed to serve Him. So these two trees in the Zechariah passage CANNOT be olive trees according to יהוה's own principles. Then why is it written that these two trees on either side of the golden lampstand are olive trees? Perhaps this is due to the lying pen of the scribes (Jer 8:8)… whether intentionally or unintentionally. It does not seem that those who translated the Word of יהוה understood the principles of the kingdom of יהוה. Neither does it seem that those who translated the Word of יהוה were filled with the Spirit of יהוה.

Lastly, Zechariah 4:12 refers to golden oil. The word "oil" is italicized in the KJV which means the word was absent in the original manuscripts  but added in the KJV translation. If the passage is referring to something golden but not necessarily oil, then we are inclined to think that the something "golden" poured out might be the righteous and just judgments of YHWH as spoken of in Psalm 19. If the passage is indeed referring to the golden oil which keeps the light burning, then we are inclined to think that it is referring to golden almond oil. Why almond oil instead of olive oil? Because almond oil is a golden oil that comes forth from the seed of almond branches. The unenhanced picture is one that we took to compare olive oil and almond oil side by side. Almond oil is the golden oil while olive oil has a greenish tint. Almond oil definitely fits the description of “golden”. Furthermore, according to principles of the kingdom of יהוה, He hates mixing and mingling. Among His principles are: do not plant your fields with two different kinds of seeds, do not let your animals breed with a different kinds, do not mix linen and wool, do not let your sons and daughters marry with the nations (Lev 19:19, Deu 7:3-4). Paul further elaborates on mixing and mingling in saying, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” The letter to the assembly in Laodicea speaks of lukewarmness; lukewarmness comes through mixing hot and cold. If יהוה hates mixing and mingling, and if the holy place is indeed a holy and pure place, then why would יהוה condone mingling the oil of one tree into a differ​ent tree? Why would יהוה condone mixing olive oil into an "almond tree" lampstand? After all, oil seems to represent the spirit. The oil from an olive comes forth from its flesh. The oil from the almond comes forth from the seed. Remember, the seed is the Word of יהוה (Luke 8:11). So wouldn’t oil coming forth from the bitter olive flesh be as the spirit of flesh? Wouldn’t oil coming forth from the almond seed be as His Spirit? If the budding and blossoming almond branches of the earthly lampstand (menorah) represent the Righteous Branch and His righteous branches, then why would יהוה want to fill them with oil from the olive tree? Why would יהוה want to fill them with the oil that comes from the flesh versus oil that comes forth from the seed? Why would יהוה want to fill them with a spirit of flesh? Wouldn’t He want them to be filled with His Holy Spirit?

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In summary, we learn through the earthly shadow that those who serve יהוה and minster unto Him are the anointed ones. Those who enter the holy place where the holy things are located are the anointed ones. Those who see the holy things are the anointed ones. Through the parable of the earthly lampstand (menorah) and through the parable of Aaron’s rod, we learn that that the almond branch is the faithful and accurate witness of the anointed one. A budding and blossoming almond branch.
 
The anointed ones are the priests… the messengers of יהוה of hosts:

For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of יהוה of hosts. (Mal 2:7)

The law of truth should be in a priest’s mouth, and iniquity should not be found in his lips. He should walk with יהוה in peace and righteousness, and turn many away from iniquity. If men are as trees, then the olive tree does not accurately testify of these things. Rather the olive tree represents a rebellious people. Budding and blossoming almond branches faithful testify of these things. Thus, the two anointed ones in Zechariah 4 – if they are faithful witnesses – are as almond trees. Not olive trees.
 
Consider the testimony of the sweet almond tree:

• Known as the watchful tree, it is the first of the fruit trees to awaken from winter slumber.
• Upon awakening, its branches clothe themselves in white blossoms.
• Bees are critical to pollination.
  
• After pollination, firstfruits emerge from the calyx of the blossom.
• The flesh of the almond fruit withers in the summer heat. In the end, all that remains is the sweet edible seed… no flesh remains.
• To gather in the seed, its branches are beaten, stricken and shaken.
• When the seed is crushed, it yields a golden oil and choice meal.​

Shouldn’t this be the testimony of His faithful witnesses? Should His faithful witnesses be the first to awaken and resurrect like the Righteous Branch in which they abide? Shouldn’t His faithful witnesses clothe themselves in white garments of righteousness? Shouldn’t they receive pollination from His word and commands? (The Hebrew word for bee is “debarah” which comes from the root word debar meaning word/command). Shouldn’t they be His firstfruits? Shouldn’t their fleshly desires wither through the heat of trials and tribulations? Shouldn’t all that remain in them be the sweet Seed of the Word of יהוה? Shouldn’t they be filled with His Spirit?
 
No other tree but the almond tree bears such a testimony. No other tree serves as a faithful witness of the Righteous Branch and His faithful branches... not the olive tree, not the fig tree, not the pomegranate tree, not the palm tree, not the Christmas tree. Neither does barley nor wheat serve as a faithful witness of the Righteous Branch and His faithful branches. Since men are as trees, there is no doubt in our minds that our Creator created each tree to bear a certain testimony. There is no doubt that He created the almond tree to serve as a faithful witness of the Righteous Branch and His faithful branches. The principles of the kingdom of יהוה have not changed. The only thing that has changed is the servants… those who serve Him and minister to Him... the ministers of reconciliation. In the covenant that He made with the children of Israel when He brought them out of Egypt with a strong hand, the ministers of reconciliation were of the earthly order… those born of the seed of Aaron. In the new covenant, the ministers of reconciliation are of the heavenly order… those who are “born again” of the seed of the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Those who are “born again” of the seed of the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek will be allowed to enter into the heavenly holy place and see the heavenly holy things. These are the ones who are guarding and watching (shamar). These are the ones who are “keeping” (guarding) His commandments. These are the ones who are learning to distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and unclean and faithfully obeying and teaching the decrees of יהוה. Since the earthly lampstand (menorah) is patterned after the heavenly Lamp, and since the Lamb is the Lamp (Rev 21:23), then a budding and blossoming almond branch continues to represent His servants… the ministers of reconciliation of the new covenant… kings and priests in the order of Melchizedek. These are the branches who abide in the Righteous Branch and produce the fruit of light. As budding and blossoming almond branches, they are “trees of righteousness, a planting of יהוה that He may be glorified.” (Isa 61:3)