1
Then I lifted up my eyes again, and saw, and behold, a flying scroll.
2
And he said to me, “What do you see?” And I answered, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its breadth ten cubits.”
3
Then said he to me, “This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole land; for every thief shall be cut off according to it on this side, and every one that swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on that side.
4
I have sent it forth, says the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that swears falsely by my name; and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it, with its timber and its stones.”
5
Then the angel that talked with me came forth, and said to me, “Lift up now your eyes, and see what this is that goes forth.”
6
And I said, “What is it?” And he said, “This is an ephah that goes forth.” He said moreover, “This is their iniquity in all the land.”
7
And behold, there was lifted up a leaden cover; and this was a woman sitting in the midst of the ephah.
8
And he said, “This is wickedness.” And he cast her down into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the leaden weight upon its mouth.
9
Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, there came forth two women, and the wind was in their wings; now they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
10
Then said I to the angel that talked with me, “Where do these bear the ephah?”
11
And he said to me, “To the land of Shinar, to build it a house; and when it is prepared, she shall be set there in her own place.”
📜⚖️💨 Summary of Zechariah 5 – The Flying Scroll and Sin Removed from the Land
Zechariah 5 contains two symbolic and somewhat mysterious visions: a great scroll flying through the air, and a woman in an ephah. Both portray the presence of sin — theft, false swearing, wickedness — still among the people. Yet God’s message is clear: Sin will not be allowed to remain in His land. He will judge and cleanse His people before full restoration is complete.
📌 1. The Flying Scroll: Law and Curse (verses 1–4)
“I saw: a flying scroll…”
Specifications of the scroll:
- Length 20 cubits (~9 meters), width 10 cubits (~4.5 meters)
- Written with a curse against two great offenses:
The thief (violating the law among men)
False swearing (violating the law against God)
This scroll will:
- Enter the house of the offender
- Remain there and destroy it
🎯 The word of the Lord does not only bring blessing — it also brings judgment upon sin if it is not heeded.
📌 2. The Woman in the Ephah: Wickedness Carried Away (verses 5–11)
“This is wickedness…”
Zechariah sees:
- An ephah (a measuring vessel) with a lid of lead
- Inside it, a woman = symbol of wickedness
- Two women with wings like a stork carrying it to the land of Shinar (Babylon)
🎯 Sin is pictured as something deeply rooted — yet God will not let it remain. He will remove it far from His people.
📖 Main Teaching
- The Lord reveals the sin of His people — not merely to punish, but to cleanse.
- Hidden wickedness cannot stand in the light of God’s word.
- The Lord is serious about removing every form of injustice and ungodliness from among His people.
- Babylon/Shinar remains a sign of the world’s sinful system — the source and final dwelling place of evil.
- True restoration begins with spiritual cleansing.
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“The word of God is living and powerful… it is able to reveal all things…”
“Judgment must begin at the house of God itself.”
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just…”
“Come out of her, my people…”
→ A call to come out of “spiritual Babylon” — just as sin is removed from the people in Zechariah 5.
“Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…”
🎯 Zechariah 5 makes clear that God cannot and will not dwell in the midst of sin. Before glory comes down, cleansing must take place.
🕊️ “This is the curse that goes forth over the whole land…” – Zechariah 5:3
🕊️ “It shall enter into the house of the thief… and consume it.” – Zechariah 5:4
🕊️ “This is wickedness…” – Zechariah 5:8
🕊️ “They carried it to the land of Shinar…” – Zechariah 5:11
