For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

ZECHARIAH 4:10KJV
Know the Bible

Zechariah 4:10 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 4:10 mean?

Zechariah 4:10 encourages people not to look down on small or humble beginnings, because God is watching over the work and will bring it to completion with joy. The verse pictures Zerubbabel holding a measuring tool, showing that God’s plans are being carefully carried out, and God’s eyes are watching everything that happens across the earth.

Zechariah is speaking to people who were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem after returning from exile. Some were discouraged because the new temple seemed unimpressive compared to the old one. This verse reassures them that even small steps matter to God, and that God is fully aware and involved in their efforts. The mention of “the eyes of the LORD” highlights God’s active oversight and care for what is happening.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 4:10

  • “despised” (בָּזָה, bazah): This word means to treat something as insignificant or worthless. The verse warns against dismissing the importance of small beginnings.
  • “day” (יוֹם, yom) and “things” (קָטָן, qaton): Together, these words refer to a time of smallness or insignificance, emphasizing that what seems minor to people is not overlooked by God.
  • “plummet” (אֶבֶן, eben; בְּדִיל, bedil): The “plummet” is a stone or tool used for measuring or building, showing that the work is being done carefully and according to plan.
  • “eyes” (עַיִן, ayin) and “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH): The “eyes of the LORD” is a way of saying that God is fully aware, attentive, and actively watching over the whole earth.

Why Zechariah 4:10 matters

  • Zechariah 4:10 corrects the idea that only big or impressive actions matter to God, showing that God values faithfulness in small things.
  • The verse connects the rebuilding of the temple to God’s larger purpose, reminding the people that their efforts are seen and guided by God.
  • By mentioning “the eyes of the LORD,” the verse reassures readers that God is not distant or uninvolved, but is watching over every detail, everywhere.

Where else these words appear

“plummet” Hebrew H913 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 31:22 Only the gold, and the silver, the brass, the iron, the tin, and the lead,
  • Isaiah 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
  • Ezekiel 22:20 As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.

“despised” Hebrew H936 · used in 11 verses

  • Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
  • Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
  • Proverbs 23:22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.

“fro” Hebrew H7751 · used in 13 verses

  • Numbers 11:8 And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.
  • Job 1:7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
  • Ezekiel 27:8 The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise men, O Tyrus, that were in thee, were thy pilots.

“Zerubbabel” Hebrew H2216 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 3:19 And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:
  • Nehemiah 7:7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;
  • Haggai 2:2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,