Zechariah 5:1

KJV

¶ Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I turned {H7725}, and lifted up {H5375} mine eyes {H5869}, and looked {H7200}, and behold a flying {H5774} roll {H4039}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Again I raised my eyes, and I saw in front of me a flying scroll.

Berean Standard Bible

Again I lifted up my eyes and saw before me a flying scroll.

American Standard Version

Then again I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, a flying roll.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 5:1 introduces the fifth of Zechariah's eight night visions, presenting the prophet with the striking image of a large, flying scroll. This vision serves as a powerful and immediate symbol of divine judgment and purification, signifying God's active intent to sweep away wickedness and unrighteousness from the land of Judah, ensuring the holiness necessary for the full restoration and blessing of the post-exilic community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This vision is strategically placed as the fifth in a series of eight interconnected "night visions" granted to the prophet Zechariah, designed to encourage and instruct the Jewish remnant who had returned from Babylonian exile. It immediately follows the [vision of the golden lampstand and two olive trees](/zechariah/4 "Zechariah 4 - The Lampstand and Olive Trees"), which emphasized God's empowering Spirit for the civil and priestly leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua. While the previous vision focused on divine enablement for rebuilding the Temple, Zechariah 5 marks a significant shift to the theme of divine purification. The "flying roll" (Zechariah 5:1-4) is the first part of a two-part vision focused on the removal of iniquity, followed by the vision of the ephah and the woman (Zechariah 5:5-11), further underscoring God's commitment to cleansing His people and land from sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Zechariah's prophecies is the post-exilic period, roughly 520-518 BC, when the returned exiles were engaged in the challenging work of rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem. After decades in Babylon, the community faced not only physical hardships but also spiritual apathy, moral compromise, and the temptation to revert to the very sins that led to their initial exile. The people were struggling with issues like theft, false swearing, and general disobedience to the Mosaic Law, despite their return to the Promised Land. Culturally, scrolls were the primary medium for written documents, particularly legal decrees and covenant stipulations, making the image of a "flying roll" a potent and immediately recognizable symbol of a divine decree or curse.
* **Key Themes:** The vision of the flying roll in [Zechariah 5](/zechariah/5 "Zechariah 5 - The Flying Scroll and the Woman in the Basket") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Zechariah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it underscores **Divine Judgment and Purification**, illustrating God's active and comprehensive resolve to purge sin from among His people. The "flying roll" is not merely a message but an active instrument of judgment, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to holiness. Secondly, it highlights **The Universality and Inescapability of God's Law**. While not explicitly stated in [Zechariah 5:1](/zechariah/5-1 "Zechariah 5:1 - The Flying Scroll"), the subsequent verses ([Zechariah 5:2-4](/zechariah/5-2-4 "Zechariah 5:2-4 - The Scroll's Dimensions and Curse")) reveal the scroll's immense size and its contents, which are curses for specific transgressions like theft and false swearing, directly linking it to the Mosaic Law and its covenant curses, emphasizing that God's moral standards apply to all and cannot be evaded. Finally, the vision provides assurance of **God's Active Involvement in Cleansing**, comforting the returned exiles that God Himself is taking decisive action to purify the land, paving the way for true spiritual and national restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **roll (Hebrew, _mᵉgillâh'_):** From the root _gālal_ (to roll), this term specifically denotes a written scroll, volume, or document. In ancient Near Eastern contexts, important legal decrees, prophecies, or covenant stipulations were recorded on scrolls. Its appearance here immediately signals a written declaration of immense significance, likely a divine edict or a record of judgment.
* **lifted up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This primitive root is rich in meaning, encompassing actions like "to lift," "to bear," "to carry," "to raise," and "to take away." In the context of "lifting up mine eyes," it signifies an intentional act of looking, a deliberate shift in focus to perceive something new or significant. It underscores the prophet's active engagement in receiving the divine revelation.
* **flying (Hebrew, _ʻûwph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cover (with wings or obscurity)" or "to fly." When applied to the roll, it emphasizes the swiftness, pervasive reach, and unstoppable nature of the divine decree it represents. This is not a static message but a dynamic, active instrument of judgment that moves rapidly and freely to accomplish its purpose without hindrance, indicating its universal application and unavoidable impact.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I turned":** This phrase indicates a change in the prophet's orientation or focus, signaling a transition from the previous vision or a new phase of revelation. It implies a deliberate act of attention, preparing the prophet to receive the next divine communication.
* **"and lifted up mine eyes":** This common biblical idiom describes an intentional act of looking or observing. It emphasizes Zechariah's active perception of the vision, suggesting that the revelation was not merely internal but involved a visual manifestation that he was directed to behold.
* **"and looked":** Reinforcing the previous phrase, "looked" further stresses the prophet's careful and direct observation of what was being presented to him. It implies a steady gaze, absorbing the details of the unfolding divine imagery.
* **"and behold a flying roll":** This is the core of the vision. "Behold" (Hebrew _hinneh_) draws immediate attention to the extraordinary sight. The "roll" (scroll) signifies a written document, likely a divine decree or law. Its "flying" nature is crucial, indicating the swiftness, certainty, and pervasive reach of the judgment or curse it embodies, moving freely and irresistibly across the land.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 5:1 is rich in **Symbolism**, with the "flying roll" serving as the central symbolic element. The scroll itself is a potent symbol of a written decree, law, or covenant, immediately evoking the Mosaic Law and its associated blessings and curses. Its "flying" attribute adds another layer of symbolic meaning, representing the swiftness, universality, and inescapable nature of the divine judgment it carries. This **Imagery** of a massive scroll traversing the sky creates a powerful visual, conveying the idea that God's judgment is not confined to a specific place or person but is a pervasive force that will sweep across the entire land. The prophet's actions – "turned," "lifted up mine eyes," "looked" – also employ **Visionary Language**, characteristic of prophetic literature, to describe the direct, revelatory experience granted by God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The vision of the flying roll profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to holiness and His active role in purifying His covenant people. It underscores the gravity of sin and the certainty of divine judgment for disobedience to His law. For the post-exilic community, this was a stark reminder that physical return to the land did not negate the spiritual requirements of the covenant. God's presence among them necessitated their purity, and He Himself would initiate the cleansing process. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, affirming that God's justice is not passive but actively engages with human sin, ensuring that His moral order is upheld and His people are prepared for His dwelling among them.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Malachi 3:5](/malachi/3-5 "Malachi 3:5 - God's Judgment on Evildoers")
* [Hebrews 12:29](/hebrews/12-29 "Hebrews 12:29 - God is a Consuming Fire")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah's vision of the flying roll serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and His absolute commitment to holiness within His people. For contemporary believers, this vision calls for a profound self-examination regarding our own adherence to God's moral standards. It challenges any complacency toward sin, whether personal or corporate, and underscores that God's justice is not an abstract concept but an active force. While we live under grace, the vision reminds us that grace does not negate the call to holiness but rather empowers it. It encourages us to actively pursue purity, confess sin, and align our lives with God's righteous character, trusting that He is at work to purify His church and ultimately establish His kingdom free from all iniquity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be complacent about sin, and how does the image of the "flying roll" challenge that complacency?**
* **How does God's active judgment against sin, as depicted here, deepen my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **What specific actions can I take to more fully align my life with God's righteous standards, both personally and within my community?**

### FAQ

**What does the "flying roll" symbolize?**

Answer: The "flying roll" primarily symbolizes a divine curse or judgment that is actively and swiftly sweeping across the land. As detailed in [Zechariah 5:2-4](/zechariah/5-2-4 "Zechariah 5:2-4 - The Scroll's Contents and Curse"), the scroll's contents are specific curses against sins like theft and false swearing, indicating that it represents the Mosaic Law and its accompanying judgments for disobedience. It signifies God's comprehensive and inescapable judgment against unrighteousness among His people, ensuring that sin will not go unpunished.

**Why is the roll described as "flying"?**

Answer: The "flying" nature of the roll is crucial to its symbolism, emphasizing the swiftness, certainty, and pervasive reach of the divine decree it represents. It signifies that God's judgment is not static or limited but is dynamic, active, and will accomplish its purpose without hindrance. It suggests that the curse is not confined to a specific location or individual but will extend throughout the entire land, affecting all who are guilty of the sins it condemns. This imagery underscores the inevitability of God's justice.

**How does this vision relate to God's grace?**

Answer: While the vision of the flying roll emphasizes God's judgment and holiness, it implicitly serves God's gracious purposes. For the post-exilic community, it was a call to repentance and a reminder that God desired a holy people for His dwelling. The purification, though severe, was necessary for true restoration and blessing. God's judgment on sin, even among His own people, is ultimately an act of grace to preserve His covenant relationship, leading them to a place of genuine purity and fellowship, as seen in His ultimate work of cleansing through Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The terrifying vision of the flying roll, symbolizing the comprehensive curse of God's law against sin, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament law, with its demands and curses, pointed to humanity's inability to perfectly obey and the dire consequences of disobedience. It is Christ who, in His perfect obedience, fully satisfied the righteous requirements of the law. More significantly, Jesus became the curse for us, as [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law") declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He bore the full weight of the "flying roll" of divine judgment on the cross, taking upon Himself the penalty for all sin, thereby disarming the law's condemning power for those who believe ([Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Christ Canceled the Record of Debt")). Furthermore, while Zechariah's vision speaks of God's active purification of His people, Christ's sacrifice not only removes the *penalty* of sin but also initiates the *process* of sanctification, cleansing His church "by the washing of water with the word" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Cleanses the Church")). He is the ultimate Judge, to whom all judgment has been entrusted ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Entrusted All Judgment to the Son")), yet He first came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering a way of escape from the very curse Zechariah envisioned. Thus, the flying roll's message of judgment is transformed by the gospel into a profound testament to Christ's redemptive work, ensuring God's holiness is upheld while His people are made pure through Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 5:2

And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof [is] twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

Ezekiel 2:9

And when I looked, behold, an hand [was] sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book [was] therein;

Ezekiel 2:10

And he spread it before me; and it [was] written within and without: and [there was] written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

Isaiah 8:1

¶ Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.

Jeremiah 36:20

¶ And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.

Jeremiah 36:24

Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, [neither] the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.

Jeremiah 36:27

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,