Zechariah 5
Zechariah 5 presents two visions that continue the prophet's revelations. The first vision is of a flying scroll, symbolizing a divine curse against sin, particularly dishonesty and theft. The second vision features a woman in a basket, symbolizing wickedness being contained and removed from the land. These visions highlight God's intention to cleanse and purify His people, emphasizing divine justice and the removal of sin.
Zechariah 5:1 (NKJV)
1 Then I turned and raised my eyes, and saw there a flying scroll.
Zechariah’s vision of a flying scroll is striking, symbolizing a message from God that is visible to all. The scroll’s visibility emphasizes that God’s judgment is public and affects the entire community. It conveys that no sin can escape divine notice and that God’s standards are made clear to everyone. This scroll, filled with a curse, represents the consequences awaiting those who live dishonestly.
Zechariah 5:2 (NKJV)
2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.”
The large dimensions of the scroll underscore the importance of the message. The size could also reflect the enormity of the sins it addresses and the breadth of its impact. The scroll’s measurements align with those of the temple porch, symbolizing how God’s law and holiness should be applied broadly among His people. It conveys a message of divine standards and accountability.
Zechariah 5:3 (NKJV)
3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according to what is on this side of the scroll; and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according to what is on that side of it.”
The scroll contains a curse against two specific sins: theft and false oaths, which represent dishonesty in one’s actions and words. These sins violate both God’s commandments and community trust. The punishment of expulsion shows God’s intent to purify the community by removing those who disrupt harmony and justice. It emphasizes that God’s people must uphold integrity in all aspects of life.
Zechariah 5:4 (NKJV)
4 “I will send out the curse,” says the Lord of hosts; “It shall enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name. It shall remain in the midst of his house and consume it, with its timber and stones.”
God declares that the curse will actively pursue those who break His laws, invading their homes and consuming them. This vivid imagery illustrates the inescapable nature of divine justice. By reaching into personal spaces, God’s judgment reveals that sin not only affects public standing but also brings destruction upon one’s household. This serves as a stark warning of the thorough consequences of sin.
Zechariah 5:5 (NKJV)
5 Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, “Lift your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth.”
The angel’s directive to lift his eyes introduces the second vision, prompting Zechariah to observe closely. This instruction reinforces the importance of attention to divine messages. Zechariah is called to witness something crucial, highlighting the active role he plays in understanding and relaying God’s judgments. It shows that God’s warnings are revealed for reflection and response.
Zechariah 5:6 (NKJV)
6 So I asked, “What is it?” And he said, “It is a basket that is going forth.” He also said, “This is their resemblance throughout the earth.”
The basket, or “ephah,” symbolizes a standard measure, suggesting a measure of wickedness or sin prevalent in the land. The ephah represents how widespread sin has become among the people. God uses this measure to depict the extent of sin, signaling His intention to deal with it fully. The basket signifies the need for cleansing and justice across all lands, not just Israel.
Zechariah 5:7 (NKJV)
7 Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket;
The lead disc acts as a heavy lid, sealing the woman within the basket, symbolizing the containment of wickedness. The woman represents sin personified, perhaps signifying idolatry, corruption, or deceit. By trapping the woman within, God demonstrates His authority to contain and control sin, preventing it from spreading further. This act shows God’s intent to protect His people from its corrupting influence.
Zechariah 5:8 (NKJV)
8 then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth.
Identifying the woman as “Wickedness” emphasizes the personification of sin as a force being actively subdued. By thrusting her back into the basket and sealing it, God shows His decisive action against wickedness. This imagery of suppression illustrates God’s commitment to eradicating sin from the community, assuring that it will no longer be able to exert its influence on His people.
Zechariah 5:9 (NKJV)
9 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.
The two women with stork-like wings lifting the basket symbolize agents of God tasked with carrying away wickedness. The stork, a bird known for long migrations, represents how wickedness is being removed to a distant place. By elevating the basket between earth and heaven, God demonstrates that sin is being separated from His people, an act symbolizing purification and divine intervention.
Zechariah 5:10-11 (NKJV)
10 So I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?”
11 And he said to me, “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”
The destination, Shinar (Babylon), is historically associated with rebellion against God, making it an appropriate place for wickedness to be “housed.” This removal signifies that sin is exiled, separated from God’s people, and sent to a place of divine judgment. The act of building a “house” indicates that wickedness will be confined, no longer free to influence Israel, demonstrating God’s ultimate authority in purging His land from evil.