PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS
| NASB | NKJV | NRSV | TEV | NJB |
| The Flying Scroll | Vision of the Flying Scroll | The Sixth Vision: A Flying Scroll | The Vision of the Flying Scroll | The Sixth Vision: The Flying Scroll |
| 5:1-4 | 5:1-4 | 5:1-4 | 5:1-2 | 5:1-4 |
| (4) | 5:3-4 | |||
| Vision of the Woman in a Basket | The Seventh Vision: A Woman in a Basket | The Vision of the Woman in the Basket | The Seventh Vision: The Woman in the Bushel Basket | |
| 5:5-11 | 5:5-11 | 5:5-11 | 5:5 | 5:5-11 |
| 5:6 | ||||
| 5:7 | ||||
| 5:8-9 | ||||
| 5:10 | ||||
| 5:11 |
READING CYCLE THREE (see
“Bible
Interpretation Seminar”)
FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR’S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which
means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the
light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not
relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare
your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is
the key to following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every
paragraph has one and only one subject.
WORD AND PHRASE STUDY
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ZECHARIAH 5:1-4
1Then I lifted up my eyes again and looked, and behold, there was a flying scroll. 2And he said to me, “What do you see?” And I answered, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.” 3Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side. 4I will make it go forth,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by My name; and it will spend the night within that house and consume it with its timber and stones.”
5:1 “Then I lifted up my eyes again and looked” This is the regular literary introduction for a new
vision. See full note at Zech. 1:8. This chapter contains two visions (cf. Zech. 5:5).
▣ “a flying scroll” This may imply an outstretched banner (VERB, BDB 733 I,
KB 800, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE and NOUN, BDB 166). From Zech. 5:3 its
message is characterized as a “curse.” This same negative connotation connected to a “scroll” is found in
Jer. 36:2 and Ezek. 2:9.
5:2 “he said to me” Apocalyptic literature is characterized by dialogue between a human and an angelic
being. Zechariah has more angelic interaction than any other book of the OT.
- angel guide
- angel of the Lord
- Satan
- angel attendants
- angels active in the visions themselves
SPECIAL
TOPIC: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE
▣ “twenty cubits. . .ten cubits” A cubit (BDB 52) is equal to the length from a man’s elbow
to his longest finger. It was about eighteen inches. The size of this scroll is unusually large,
10 yards by 5 yards. Some commentators see it related to the dimensions of “the Holy Porch” of 1 Kgs. 6:3,
which was the place of religious teaching and judicial administration (cf. 1 Kgs. 7:67), but here it
just seems to denote a readable message. Remember this is apocalyptic imagery!
5:3 “the curse” This Hebrew term (BDB 46) has two related covenantal meanings.
- swear an oath (cf. Deut. 29:12,14)
- the oath broken turns into a curse (cf. Deut. 29:18,19,20-21; Jer. 21:10; Ezek. 16:59;
17:16,18,19; Dan. 9:11)
This term is used almost exclusively for God’s anger towards His people’s unfaithfulness
and rebellion. The best summary of the covenant’s requirements and consequences is Deuteronomy 27-29. To
whom much is given, much is required (cf. Luke 12:48).
▣ “the whole land” This refers to Palestine because this verse and the next one relate to
Decalog violations.
SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND,
COUNTRY, EARTH
| ▣ | |
| NASB | ”purged away” (twice) |
| NKJV | ”expelled” (twice) |
| NRSV | ”cut off” (twice) |
| TEV | ”be removed,” “taken away” |
| NJB, NIV | ”banished” |
| REB | ”swept away” (twice) |
| Peshitta | ”judged” (twice) |
This Hebrew word (BDB 667, KB 720, Niphal PERFECT) in the Niphal
form means “to be cleaned out” or “purged.” The problem is that it can also mean “cleansed from guilt” or
“made innocent.” However, Zech.5:4 confirms the negative connotation in 5:3.
As Joshua was cleansed and restored to covenant purity in chapter 3, so too, must the people
of God be. Those who refuse to conform (e.g., Zech. 3:7) will be eliminated (cf. Zech. 5:4).
▣ “the writing on one side” The cultural symbol of writing on both sides of a scroll implies
a full and complete curse (cf. Ezek. 2:9-10; Rev. 5:1).
5:4 “the one who swears falsely by My name” This covenant violation (i.e., “swear” BDB 989) could
involve two different ways of taking God’s name in vain.
- during worship (cf. Deut. 5:11; 6:13; 10:20)
- falsehood in a court proceeding (cf. Exod. 20:16; 23:7; NJB, NEB, REB)
If in fact these two laws represent the two aspects of the Mosaic covenant, actions and attitudes
toward YHWH and YHWH’s people (they symbolize the whole covenant), then #1 is better.
SPECIAL TOPIC: “THE NAME” OF
YHWH
▣ “it” The first “it” refers to the flying curse scroll. The scroll is personified as it enters
the covenant violator’s house. The second “it” refers to the house (i.e., “timbers and stones”).
▣ “consume” This Hebrew term (BDB 477, KB 476) in the Piel PERFECT with
waw form means “to finish,” “to bring to an end,” or “complete.” In this context it refers to a
complete and total judgment. This same term is used in the covenant cursing and blessing passage in
Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 28:21; see also Jer. 14:12). Covenant breakers will be completely and totally
destroyed and removed.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: ZECHARIAH 5:5-11
5Then the angel who was speaking with me went out and said to me, “Lift up now your eyes and see what this is going forth.” 6I said, “What is it?” And he said, “This is the ephah going forth.” Again he said, “This is their appearance in all the land 7(and behold, a lead cover was lifted up); and this is a woman sitting inside the ephah.” 8Then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he threw her down into the middle of the ephah and cast the lead weight on its opening. 9Then I lifted up my eyes and looked, and there two women were coming out with the wind in their wings; and they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heavens. 10I said to the angel who was speaking with me, “Where are they taking the ephah?” 11Then he said to me, “To build a temple for her in the land of Shinar; and when it is prepared, she will be set there on her own pedestal.”
5:5 “Lift up now your eyes and see” This literary phrase (esp. “see”) introduces a new vision. See
note at Zech. 1:8.
5:6 “What is it” Again the prophet asked for an angelic interpretation of the vision, as he did in
all but one of the six visions.
▣ “ephah” This is the Hebrew term (BDB 35) for one of the largest dry measure used by the Jews. There
were possibly two types (cf. Deut. 25:14; Pro. 20:10). Modern scholarship puts it between five and ten gallons
(cf. Ezek. 45:11). Here it functions in describing a large basket used as a cage. The NIV Study Bible, p. 412,
makes an interesting suggestion, “This one is undoubtedly enlarged (like the flying scroll of Zech. 5:1-2) for
like purpose of the vision.”
SPECIAL
TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES
| ▣ | |
| NASB | ”appearance” |
| NKJV | ”resemblance” |
| NRSV, NIV | ”iniquity” |
| TEV | ”sin” |
| NJB, NAB, NEV, REB | ”guilt” |
| JPSOA | ”eye” |
| LXX | ”injustice” |
| Peshitta | ”transgression” |
This Hebrew word could be “what is seen” (BDB 744, “eye,” cf. NKJV, NET, JPSOA) or some
manuscripts have “iniquity” (BDB 730, cf. LXX, Peshitta, NRSV, TEV, NJB). The only difference between the
two terms is between a waw and a yod. The understanding of “iniquity” fits the immediate
context best (cf. Zech. 5:8,11), however, the NET Bible asserts that “eye” in this verse is parallel with
“eye” in Zech. 4:10. This one’s evil is pervasive in the land as YHWH’s knowledge is pervasive in the land.
The UBS Text Project, p. 403, gives “their eye” a “C” rating (considerable doubt). The authors
mention that “eye” stands for “their intention/desire.”
5:7 “lead cover” There are two views about the lead covered basket.
- This could refer to a measuring stone used in commerce. This one was as heavy as lead. If this
is so it strengthens the view that this vision concerns corrupt commerce and, thereby, fallen
economic world systems (cf. Hos. 12:7; Amos 8:5; Micah 6:11). - The more likely interpretation is that the “lead” was for the purpose of security. Wickedness
was isolated and contained and would be removed from the Promised Land. She tried to escape, but
could not (cf. Zech. 5:6-8).
5:7-8 “woman. . .Wickedness” Wickedness is a FEMININE NOUN (BDB 958), often used in
contrast to righteousness. This is probably why it is personified as a woman (cf. Rev. 17:3-8,18). If the
ephah is regular size, then this is a very small woman. Some see her as representing idolatry
(cf. Zech. 5:11), which means this parallels 5:3-4. Wickedness will be removed from God’s people and God’s
Promised Land.
5:8 “he threw her down” The woman tried to escape, but the angel forced her into the ephah. The context
favors the symbol as sinful Jews (cf. Zech. 5:3-4).
The same VERB (BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil IMPERFECT with
waw, twice) is used to describe how the angel handled both the woman and the lead weight.
▣ “the lead weight on its opening” This is literally “mouth” (BDB 804), but here it refers to
the lid of the ephah cage and not the woman’s mouth.
5:9 “two women” Some see them as helpers of “wickedness” (cf. Zech. 5:11). Others see them as God’s
servants removing the wicked from the Promised Land, but because the word “wickedness” is
FEMININE, so too, are these angels. These are the only female angels mentioned in all of
the Bible.
▣ “the wind in their wings” Some relate “the wind” to the Spirit (cf. Zech. 4:6). The word can
mean this in both Hebrew (BDB 924) and Greek, but it is probably referring to the proverbial lifting power
of stork wings or their speed. Storks were known for their strength and carrying ability.
5:11 “To build a temple for her” This may be sarcasm or typology. The faithful, obedient Jews will
have a rebuilt temple to worship YHWH, so will the idolatrous, unfaithful Jews have an apostate place of
worship.
▣ “Shinar” This is an ancient name for Babylon (BDB 1042, cf. Gen. 10:10; 11:2,4; 14:1;
Isa. 11:11,13-14; 47; Jer. 50-51; Dan. 1:2; Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:1-7), which is a biblical metaphor for
evil. Many relate this to the exilic experience (cf. Zech. 2:6-7) and also to those Jews who did not return
to Palestine!
▣ “she will be set” This means (BDB 628, KB 679 Hophal PERFECT with
waw) “set as an idol which cannot move.” This is possibly a metaphor for the cleansing of the land
of Palestine from idolatry and the setting of the stage for God’s judgment of the empires of the Fertile
Crescent.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are
responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You,
the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this
section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
- Does this vision relate primarily to the future or the past?
- Who is it addressing?
- How is it related to the other visions? (Remember to try to relate all eight visions into
one unified whole.) - To what temple does Zech. 5:11 refer?
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