Zechariah 5

King James Version

Full text for Zechariah Chapter 5

1¶ Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

2And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof [is] twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

3Then said he unto me, This [is] the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off [as] on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off [as] on that side according to it.

4I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

5¶ Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what [is] this that goeth forth.

6And I said, What [is] it? And he said, This [is] an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This [is] their resemblance through all the earth.

7And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this [is] a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.

8And he said, This [is] wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.

9Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind [was] in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.

10Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?

11And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Zechariah beholds a vision of a large flying roll, which an angel explains represents a curse against all who steal and swear falsely, destined to consume their houses. Subsequently, he sees an ephah containing a woman, identified as wickedness, which is sealed with a lead weight. This ephah is then carried by two winged women to the land of Shinar, where it is to be established.

Medium Summary

The prophet Zechariah's fifth vision begins with a large flying roll, measuring twenty by ten cubits, which is revealed to be a divine curse. This curse is specifically directed against those who commit theft and those who swear falsely by the Lord's name, promising to enter and consume their homes entirely. Following this, Zechariah sees an ephah, a measuring basket, from which a talent of lead is lifted, revealing a woman within. The angel identifies this woman as "wickedness," which is then cast back into the ephah and sealed with the heavy lead weight. Finally, two women with stork-like wings appear, lifting the ephah between earth and heaven. They transport it to the land of Shinar, where a house is to be built for it, signifying the establishment and containment of wickedness there.

Long Summary

The chapter commences with Zechariah's vision of a great flying roll, which he observes to be twenty cubits in length and ten cubits in breadth. An interpreting angel explains that this roll embodies a curse that is destined to go forth over the face of the whole earth. This curse is specifically pronounced against every individual who steals and every individual who swears falsely, indicating a divine judgment upon these transgressions. The Lord of hosts declares that this curse will enter the house of the thief and the house of him that swears falsely by His name, remaining within to consume the house with its timber and stones. Following this first vision, Zechariah is instructed to lift his eyes again to behold what is going forth, which is revealed to be an ephah. A talent of lead is then lifted from the ephah, exposing a woman seated within, whom the angel explicitly identifies as "wickedness." This personification of wickedness is then cast back into the midst of the ephah, and the heavy lead weight is cast upon its mouth, sealing it. Subsequently, two women emerge, possessing wings like those of a stork, and with the wind in their wings, they lift the ephah between the earth and the heaven. Zechariah inquires of the angel where these women are bearing the ephah. The angel responds that they are taking it to the land of Shinar, where a house is to be built for it, and it shall be established and set there upon its own base, signifying the removal and permanent placement of wickedness.

Core Concepts

  • The Flying RollA large scroll, twenty by ten cubits, seen in a vision. It symbolizes a divine curse that will go forth over the earth, specifically targeting those who steal and swear falsely.
  • Divine CurseThe judgment embodied by the flying roll, pronounced by the Lord of hosts. It is set to enter and consume the houses of transgressors, destroying them completely.
  • The EphahA measuring basket used as a symbolic container for wickedness. It serves as the vessel for the personified sin that is to be removed from the land.
  • Wickedness PersonifiedA woman seen within the ephah, explicitly identified as 'wickedness.' This imagery portrays sin as a tangible entity that can be contained and transported.
  • Removal of WickednessThe act of sealing the personified wickedness within the ephah with a lead weight and its subsequent transport by winged women. This signifies God's action to cleanse the land by relocating sin.
  • Land of ShinarThe designated destination for the ephah of wickedness. This location, historically associated with Babylon, is where wickedness is to be established and contained, suggesting its removal from the land of Israel.
  • False Swearing and TheftTwo specific transgressions highlighted as the direct targets of the divine curse represented by the flying roll. These sins are presented as warranting severe divine judgment.