O great mountain? — This is figurative of the colossal difficulties put in the way of the completion of the building of the Temple by the neighbouring powers. (Comp. Matthew 21:21.)

Thou shalt become a plain. — This certainly gives the true meaning of the original, which, however, is singularly graphic, and consists of but one word — literally, to a plain: i.e., thou shalt become. LXX. mistake the word for an Aramaic infinitive, and render τοῦ κατορθῶσαι, “that thou shouldest bring it to a successful issue.” In the preceding vision, Joshua, as the high priest — in this, Zerubbabel, as the Prince of Judah — is the representative of the nation; in Zechariah 4:14 the two are referred to simultaneously.

Grace, grace unto iti.e., unto the head stone which, as being the crowning stone of the building, is used to represent the whole Temple. The words are a prayer, which takes the form of a shout of triumph (like Hosanna!), and mean, May God’s grace or favour rest on the house for ever!

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