Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 5

Verse 1

looked = This is the sixth vision. See the Structure on p. 1281.

roll = scroll. Hence our word "volume". Compare Ezekiel 2:9 - Zec 3:11 .

Verse 2

cubits. See App-51 .

Verse 3

the curse. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:0 and Deuteronomy 28:0 ).

goeth forth . Compare Zechariah 5:5-6 . Hebrew. yaza = to go forth on business, or on an errand. Same word as in Zechariah 14:2 , Zechariah 14:3 , Zechariah 14:8 , &c. (not Zechariah 14:16 , Zechariah 14:18 ).

earth : or, land.

stealeth. sweareth , &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:12 ). App-92 .

shall be cut off = hath been let off, or declared innocent; as in Numbers 5:31 .Psalms 19:12 , Psalms 19:13 .Jeremiah 2:35 , or goeth unpunished; as in Jeremiah 49:12 . This is always the sense of Heb, nakah. Render the passage: "for ' every one that stealeth hath been let off [is written] on the one side, according to it (the curse or scroll); and 'every one that sweareth (falsely) hath been let off [is written] on the other side, according to it. Therefore have I brought it (the curse or scroll) forth'.

Verse 4

I will bring = I have brought.

saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

enter into = lodge, or abide in.

My name . Emphatic for "Me Myself". See note on Psalms 20:1 .

remain = lodge, or roost.

shall consume it = shall destroy it, or bring it to an end. Hebrew. kadah. Not the same word as in Zec 5:14 , Zec 5:12 . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 13:45 ). App-92 .

timber = timbers (plural)

Verse 5

angel , See note on Zechariah 1:9 .

see. This is the seventh vision. See the Structure on p. 1281.

Verse 6

This. Hebrew. zoth . Feminine. Singular.

ephah. See App-51 .,

resemblance = aspect. Heb eye. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for their Look: i.e. appearance, or colour, as in Leviticus 13:55 .Numbers 11:7 . Ezekiel 10:9 . Compare Ez ek Zechariah 1:4 , Zechariah 1:7 , Zechariah 1:16 , Zec 1:27 . Daniel 10:6 , &c. Septuagint and Syriac read "iniquity" ( App-44 .) i.e. (Vau = v) instead of (Yod = y).

Verse 7

behold = lo. Figure of speech Asterismos . App-6 .

talent. See App-51 . Hebrew. kikkar, a round disk, evidently fitting the ephah like a lid.

Verse 8

wickedness = the lawless [one]. Hebrew. rasha', App-44 . Adjective, feminine, singular = the embodiment of the principle of lawlessness. The religions aspect of 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 .Revelation 17:0 .

it : i.e. the talent, which had been "lifted up "for the prophet to see, and then cast back "into" the ephah.

weight = stone; i.e. weight. This was "upon" the ephah, and is to be distinguished from the "talent", which was within.

Verse 9

two women . Perhaps denoting two nations.

wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

like the wings of a stork. Evidently a symbol of velocity rather than of character.

stork. An unclean bird, fond of its young, and a bird of passage.

Verse 11

it = for her. Hebrew Feminine. Singular.

the land of Shinar = Babylonia. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:10 ; Genesis 11:2 ; Genesis 14:1 , Genesis 14:9 ). App-92 . Outside the Pentateuch only in Joshua 7:21 .Isaiah 11:11 .Daniel 1:2 .

it shall be established = it (i.e. the house, Hebrew, masculine singular) shall be ready (or prepared). Revised Version = when it is prepared.

set there = fixed, or settled. Septuagint, and Syriac, rend "they (i.e. the two women) shall settle her there".

base = fixed resting-place. The interpretation must refer to what is yet future. It cannot refer to the going into captivity; for the People had just returned, and Zechariah had been raised up for their comfort and encouragement. When the time comes, it will be marked by commerce (ephah), false religion (the woman), speedy accomplishment (the wings of a stork), and a spirit in their wings. This will be preparatory to the final judgment of Revelation 18:0 .