ScriptureDepth's study of Zechariah 5
“Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land; for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to it on the one side; and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on the other side.”
Zechariah 5:3
The angel reveals to Zechariah that the flying scroll contains a curse against theft and false swearing, directly addressing the sins threatening the community.
What Zechariah 5 is about
Zechariah sees a flying scroll, measuring twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide. The angel explains that it is a curse going over the whole land. Those who steal will be cut off on one side, and those who swear falsely will be cut off on the other side (vv. 1-4). Then, Zechariah sees an ephah basket, which the angel identifies. A talent of lead is lifted up, revealing a woman sitting inside the basket, called Wickedness. The angel throws her down into the basket and places the weight of lead on its mouth (vv. 5-8). Next, Zechariah sees two women with wings like storks lifting the ephah basket between earth and sky. He asks the angel where they are taking it, and the angel replies that they are transporting it to build a house for her in the land of Shinar (vv. 9-11).
Wickedness is destined for a new place, and the fate of the land is under divine judgment.
Zechariah 5 at a glance
- Zechariah 5:1–4Vision of the Flying Scroll
- Zechariah 5:5–8The Ephah Basket Appears
- Zechariah 5:9–11Wickedness Removed to Shinar
Key verse: Zechariah 5:3
One thing to notice
In verses 9-11, two women with stork-like wings transport the ephah basket. They lift the basket between earth and sky, revealing that its destination is Shinar, where it will be established in its own place. This action is part of the unfolding vision.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Zechariah 5 (WEB)
Vision of the Flying Scroll Zechariah 5:1–4
1Verse 1. Then again I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, a flying scroll. 2Verse 2. He said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.” 3Verse 3. Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land; for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to it on the one side; and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on the other side. 4Verse 4. I will cause it to go out,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and it will enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him who swears falsely by my name; and it will remain in the middle of his house, and will destroy it with its timber and its stones.”
The Ephah Basket Appears Zechariah 5:5–8
5Verse 5. Then the angel who talked with me came forward, and said to me, “Lift up now your eyes, and see what is this that is appearing.” 6Verse 6. I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the ephah basket that is appearing.” He said moreover, “This is their appearance in all the land 7Verse 7. (and behold, a talent of lead was lifted up); and this is a woman sitting in the middle of the ephah basket.” 8Verse 8. He said, “This is Wickedness”; and he threw her down into the middle of the ephah basket; and he threw the weight of lead on its mouth.
Wickedness Removed to Shinar Zechariah 5:9–11
9Verse 9. Then lifted I up my eyes, and saw, and behold, there were 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 basket between earth and the sky. 10Verse 10. Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are these carrying the ephah basket?” 11Verse 11. He said to me, “To build her a house in the land of Shinar. When it is prepared, she will be set there in her own place.”
World English Bible (public domain)
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Zechariah 5
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture. Ask unlimited questions and keep study notes on every chapter. 7 days free, no card.
Main themes in Zechariah 5
divine judgment
In verses 3-4, the flying scroll is described as 'the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land.' It declares that those who steal or swear falsely will be 'cut off' according to the scroll's curses. This indicates a direct divine judgment against wrongdoing, particularly in the context of Israel's covenant with God. The passage moves toward the idea that judgment will manifest in the homes of wrongdoers.
purification
Verses 6-8 introduce the ephah basket, which contains a woman called 'Wickedness.' This woman is placed inside the basket and covered with lead, indicating a decisive action against evil. By sealing her away, the text conveys a process of cleansing for the people and the land. This removal of wickedness points to the call for the community to pursue righteousness and restore holiness.
ethical conduct
Verses 3-4 focus on ethical conduct by detailing the consequences for those who steal and commit perjury. The scroll serves as a divine reminder that such actions will lead to destruction, as stated, 'I will cause it to go out... and it will destroy it with its timber and its stones.' Ethical behavior is crucial for the community, as failure to adhere to these principles results in severe repercussions, highlighting the expectation of integrity among the people.
removal of wickedness
The removal of wickedness is vividly portrayed in verses 9-11, where Wickedness is transported to Shinar. The two women with stork-like wings carry the ephah basket, emphasizing the act of relocating this evil to a place afar from God’s people. This transfer signifies a decisive action against the presence of sin, suggesting that wickedness will not dwell among the faithful. The chapter concludes with a sense of finality regarding the removal of evil.
Chapter outline
How Zechariah 5 unfolds
Zechariah 5:1–4 Vision of the Flying Scroll
Zechariah sees a 'flying scroll' measuring 'twenty cubits' by 'ten cubits.' The angel explains it as a 'curse' for thieves and false swearers, declaring it will enter their houses and destroy them (vv. 2-4).
Zechariah 5:5–8 The Ephah Basket Appears
The angel reveals an ephah basket with a woman representing 'Wickedness' sitting inside it (v. 7). The angel then places a heavy lead weight on the basket's mouth to contain her (v. 8).
Zechariah 5:9–11 Wickedness Removed to Shinar
Two women with stork-like wings lift the ephah basket into the air (v. 9). The angel explains they are carrying it to Shinar to build a house for Wickedness, which will be established there (vv. 10-11).
Key verses
Zechariah 5:3The angel reveals to Zechariah that the flying scroll contains a curse against theft and false swearing, directly addressing the sins threatening the community.
Get a short devotional by email, one passage and one question a day.
One short email each morning, with the free study guide. Unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. We use your address only to send this email.
Study questions
Questions for studying Zechariah 5
- observeIn v2, what dimensions are given for the 'flying scroll'?
- observeWhat two actions are associated with the curse in v3?
- interpretIn v4, why does God say the scroll will 'destroy' the houses of thieves?
- interpretIn v8, why is the woman referred to as 'Wickedness'?
- applyWhen have you felt 'wickedness' in your own actions, as seen in this chapter?
For Bible groups
Study Zechariah 5 with your group
A free one-page handout with the overview, key verse, outline and discussion questions, ready to print for everyone at the table.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Zechariah 5
- Zechariah 1Zechariah 5:5 and Zechariah 1:9Both see a vision: Zechariah 5:5 says, “Lift up now your eyes,” while Zechariah 1:9 says, “What are these?”
- Proverbs 10Zechariah 5:4 and Proverbs 10:22Both mention blessing: Zechariah 5:4 says, “It will destroy...,” while Proverbs 10:22 says, “Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth.”
- Daniel 1Zechariah 5:11 and Daniel 1:2Both refer to Shinar: Zechariah 5:11 says, “In the land of Shinar,” while Daniel 1:2 states, “Into the land of Shinar.”
- Malachi 3Zechariah 5:4 and Malachi 3:5Both invoke judgment: Zechariah 5:4 mentions, “Will destroy it with its timber,” while Malachi 3:5 states, “I will come near to you to judgment.”
- Proverbs 3Zechariah 5:4 and Proverbs 3:33Both mention the wicked: Zechariah 5:4 says, “House of the thief,” while Proverbs 3:33 states, “Yahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked.”
- Jeremiah 36Zechariah 5:1 and Jeremiah 36:2Both involve a scroll: Zechariah 5:1 says, “I saw, and behold, a flying scroll,” while Jeremiah 36:2 states, “Take a scroll of a book.”
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Zechariah 5
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Zechariah: the whole bookZechariah began prophesying in 520 BC, two months after his contemporary Haggai, urging the same discouraged…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 274Day 274 of 365: Zechariah 2–5.
- HopeWhat the Bible says about hope, with verses.
- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
Zechariah 5: frequently asked questions
What is Zechariah 5 about?+
What is the key verse in Zechariah 5?+
What are the main themes of Zechariah 5?+
Studying Zechariah with a print Bible beside you? See our study Bible guides.