Zechariah 5:11

And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

And he said {H559} unto me, To build {H1129} it an house {H1004} in the land {H776} of Shinar {H8152}: and it shall be established {H3559}, and set {H3240} there upon her own base {H4369}.

He answered me, "To build it a shrine in the land of Shin'ar. When it's ready, [the eifah] will be set down there on its base."

“To build a house for it in the land of Shinar,” he told me. “And when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its pedestal.”

And he said unto me, To build her a house in the land of Shinar: and when it is prepared, she shall be set there in her own place.

Zechariah 5:11 KJV is the concluding verse of the fifth vision given to the prophet Zechariah, a powerful symbolic representation of God's purification of His people and the land from wickedness. Following the vision of the flying scroll (representing curses for sin), this vision focuses on the removal of sin itself.

Context of Zechariah 5:11

This verse describes the destination of the "ephah" (a large measuring basket) containing a woman identified as "Wickedness" (Zechariah 5:8). Two winged women transport this ephah to "the land of Shinar." The angel explains to Zechariah that the purpose is "To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base." This vision speaks to God's definitive act of removing all forms of sin and idolatry from His people and the promised land.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Exile of Wickedness: The primary message is the forceful and permanent removal of sin and ungodliness. The "ephah" symbolizes the accumulation of Israel's transgressions, and its transport signifies God's active role in expelling evil.
  • The Land of Shinar: This ancient name for Babylon (Genesis 10:10, Genesis 11:2) carries profound symbolic weight. Babylon consistently represents the epitome of idolatry, rebellion against God, and oppressive world systems. Sending "Wickedness" there implies it is being returned to its source or natural dwelling place, a realm opposed to God's holy presence. This foreshadows a time when Babylon, both literal and spiritual, will fall.
  • Permanent Establishment: The phrases "to build it an house," "established," and "set there upon her own base" emphasize the permanence of this removal. Wickedness is not merely temporarily banished but is given a permanent, stable dwelling *away* from God's holy people and land. This signifies a thorough and lasting cleansing.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "Shinar" (Hebrew: Shin'ar) is deeply rooted in biblical history, primarily associated with the Tower of Babel project, a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. Its selection here reinforces the idea that sin and rebellion are being sent back to their origin.
  • "House" (Hebrew: bayit) can mean a dwelling, but also a temple or a stable, established place. Here, it suggests a permanent residence, not just a temporary holding cell.
  • "Established" (Hebrew: kun) denotes being firm, secure, or prepared. This highlights the definitive and unshakeable nature of God's action in removing wickedness.

Practical Application

Zechariah 5:11 offers a powerful assurance of God's ultimate victory over sin and evil. For believers, this vision speaks to the promise of a future where God's kingdom will be fully established, and all unrighteousness will be banished. It underscores God's commitment to creating a pure dwelling place for Himself among His people. This prophetic act of cleansing serves as a reminder that:

  • God actively confronts and removes wickedness, both from society and from the hearts of His people.
  • There is a definitive separation between holiness and unholiness in God's plan.
  • We are called to align ourselves with God's purifying work, seeking to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 11:2

    And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

  • Genesis 10:10

    And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

  • Daniel 1:2

    And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

  • Isaiah 11:11

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

  • Genesis 14:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

  • Jeremiah 29:28

    For therefore he sent unto us [in] Babylon, saying, This [captivity is] long: build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

  • Luke 21:24

    And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

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