Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The repetition of "Grace, grace to it!" isn't just a wish for good fortune; it's a profound declaration that God's favor is the origin, the ongoing support, and the ultimate completion of His work, both in rebuilding the temple and in His grander plan for His people. This phrase highlights that the entire building process, from foundation to topstone, is sustained and empowered solely by divine favor, not human effort.
Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Zechariah is receiving a vision about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. After seeing a golden lampstand and two olive trees symbolizing God's Spirit and provision, he questions the angel about the meaning of these symbols. This verse is God's direct response, addressing Zerubbabel, the governor overseeing the temple reconstruction, assuring him that any massive obstacles ("great mountain") in the way of completing the temple will be removed.
Ever feel like you're facing an insurmountable obstacle? The prophet Zechariah speaks directly to that feeling, calling it a 'great mountain.' What does this mountain represent, and why does God call it out?
Facing Giants
The "great mountain" in Zechariah 4:7 isn't a literal mountain, but a powerful symbol of the enormous difficulties and opposition faced by Zerubbabel and the returning exiles as they sought to rebuild the temple. Think of the political pressures, the discouragement of the people, and the outright hostility from neighboring nations.
This imagery speaks to us today because we too face 'mountains.' These could be personal struggles, societal injustices, or even spiritual battles that seem impossible to overcome. The text doesn't minimize the size of these challenges; it acknowledges them as significant obstacles.
Yet, the prophetic word here is one of divine power against human opposition. Whether it was the resistance from groups like Sanballat and his allies, or the larger political powers that sought to thwart God's people, these 'mountains' were ultimately temporary and subject to God's will.
Zerubbabel is tasked with an impossible mission. How does God ensure his success, and what does this reveal about how He works through us?
The Lord's Servant and His Work
Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, was appointed by God to lead the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian exile. He is presented as the human agent through whom God's power will overcome the 'great mountain.'
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The verse powerfully declares, 'Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain.' This isn't just Zerubbabel's own strength, but God's direct intervention. It's a promise that the divine power enabling Zerubbabel would make all opposition crumble.
This highlights a crucial principle: God often calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things, not by their own might, but by His enabling Spirit. Zerubbabel's success was guaranteed because the project was God's, and He would clear the path for His servant.
When the final stone is put in place, the cry isn't 'We did it!' but 'Grace, grace!' What does this repeated shout reveal about the nature of God's work?
The Crowning Glory of God's Favor
The climax of the passage is Zerubbabel bringing forth the 'headstone' (or top stone) and the people shouting, 'Grace, grace unto it!' This signifies the completion of the temple.
The repetition of 'grace' is profound. It emphasizes that the entire project, from the laying of the foundation to the final capstone, was accomplished solely by God's undeserved favor and mercy. It wasn't due to the people's strength, skill, or merit, but entirely to God's goodness.
This points to the ultimate reality of our salvation in Christ, who is often symbolized by the cornerstone. Every aspect of His work on our behalf—His life, death, resurrection, and ongoing intercession—is a gift of grace. The shouts of 'Grace, grace!' are a recognition that God is the initiator, sustainer, and finisher of all His good works, both in history and in our lives.
Understand the original words
chen · Hebrew Noun
God's unmerited favor and love extended to His people, providing salvation and enabling them to fulfill His purposes.
The 'great mountain' of opposition faced by Zerubbabel wasn't just political; it was the immense weight of discouragement and potential despair after decades of exile and the arduous, threatened process of rebuilding the Temple.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple, and exile a significant portion of the population. This marks a devastating low point for the Jewish people.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Decree
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This opens the door for the return.
c. 516 BC— this verse
Completion of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the Second Temple is finally completed after facing significant opposition and delays. This verse is a prophecy concerning that rebuilding effort.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Reforms
Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads another group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He institutes religious reforms to strengthen the people's adherence to the Law.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, receives permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls, facing continued opposition from surrounding peoples.
This passage echoes Zechariah's imagery, prophesying that God will level mountains and fill valleys to prepare a way, highlighting God's power to overcome any obstacle for His people.
1 Peter 2:4-7This New Testament passage connects the 'cornerstone' imagery to Jesus Christ, who, like the headstone in Zechariah's vision, is foundational to God's spiritual building, the Church, and is met with differing responses from people.
Ezra 3:10-13This passage describes the laying of the foundation of the second temple, where the people shouted with joy and the elders wept, providing historical context for the 'shoutings' of 'Grace, grace!' in Zechariah's prophecy.
Matthew 17:20Jesus uses similar language when speaking about faith, stating that if believers have faith 'like a grain of mustard seed,' they can say to a mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, underscoring the power of faith over seemingly insurmountable challenges.
1 Corinthians 10:13This verse offers assurance that God will not allow His people to be tempted beyond what they can bear and will provide a way out, mirroring the divine enablement promised to Zerubbabel to overcome the 'great mountain.'
barnesZechariah 4:7: "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it."
Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt be a plain - The words have the character of a sacred proverb; "Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased" Luke 14:11 ; Luke 18:14 . Isaiah prophesies the victories of the Gospel in the same imagery, "Every valley shall be exalted and every moun…
clarkeZechariah 4:7: "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it."
O great mountain? - The hinderances which were thrown in the way; the regal prohibition to discontinue the building of the temple. Before Zerubbabel - a plain - The sovereign power of God shall remove them. March on, Zerubbabel; all shall be made plain and smooth before thee. I have given thee the work to do, a…
The repetition of "Grace, grace to it!" isn't just a wish for good fortune; it's a profound declaration that God's favor is the origin, the ongoing support, and the ultimate completion of His work, both in rebuilding the temple and in His grander plan for His people. This phrase highlights that the entire building process, from foundation to topstone, is sustained and empowered solely by divine favor, not human effort.
The prophet Zechariah is receiving a vision about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. After seeing a golden lampstand and two olive trees symbolizing God's Spirit and provision, he questions the angel about the meaning of these symbols. This verse is God's direct response, addressing Zerubbabel, the governor overseeing the temple reconstruction, assuring him that any massive obstacles ("great mountain") in the way of completing the temple will be removed.
The prophet Zechariah is receiving a vision about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. After seeing a golden lampstand and two olive trees symbolizing God's Spirit and provision, he questions the angel about the meaning of these symbols. This verse is God's direct response, addressing Zerubbabel, the governor overseeing the temple reconstruction, assuring him that any massive obstacles ("great mountain") in the way of completing the temple will be removed.
"Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”" — The repetition of "Grace, grace to it!" isn't just a wish for good fortune; it's a profound declaration that God's favor is the origin, the ongoing support, and the ultimate completion of His work, b…
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Last reviewed October 2026