# The word of Yahweh came to me, saying, "The hands

This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. AT: "Yahweh gave a message to me. He said, 'The hands" or "Yahweh spoke this message to me: 'The hands" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# The hands of Zerubbabel have laid ... his hands will bring it to completion

Here the word "hands" represents Zerubbabel. AT: "Zerubbabel has laid ... he will bring it to completion" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

# the foundation of this house

The word "house" represents the temple. AT: "the foundation of this temple" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])