Zechariah 5:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto me, What seest {H7200} thou? And I answered {H559}, I see {H7200} a flying {H5774} roll {H4039}; the length {H753} thereof is twenty {H6242} cubits {H520}, and the breadth {H7341} thereof ten {H6235} cubits {H520}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to me, "What do you see?" I replied, "I see a flying scroll thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide.

Berean Standard Bible

“What do you see?” asked the angel. “I see a flying scroll,” I replied, “twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 5:2 introduces the prophet's fifth vision, a striking and somewhat ominous sight of an immense "flying roll" or scroll. This vision immediately captures attention due to the scroll's unusual movement and massive dimensions, setting the stage for a powerful message concerning divine judgment and the pervasive nature of sin, particularly among the covenant people of Israel. It serves as a vivid symbolic representation of God's active and inescapable decree of judgment against lawlessness in the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This vision is part of a series of eight night visions granted to Zechariah (chapters 1-6), which serve to encourage the post-exilic community in Jerusalem as they rebuild the Temple and restore their spiritual life. While earlier visions, such as the [riders among the myrtle trees](/zechariah/1-7-11 "Zechariah 1:7-11 - The Riders and the Myrtle Trees") or the [cleansing of Joshua the High Priest](/zechariah/3-1-5 "Zechariah 3:1-5 - Joshua's Cleansing and New Garments"), focused on comfort, restoration, and the promise of God's presence, the "flying roll" vision marks a distinct shift. It introduces a theme of divine accountability and judgment for sin, preceding the vision of the ephah (Zechariah 5:5-11), which deals with the removal of wickedness from the land. This sequence underscores that while God is faithful to His promises of restoration, He also demands holiness and will not tolerate unrepentant sin among His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied during the early post-exilic period (circa 520-518 BC), alongside Haggai. The Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon under the decree of Cyrus the Great, but faced significant challenges in rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple. This era was marked by spiritual apathy, economic hardship, and external opposition, leading to a stalling of the Temple construction. Culturally, scrolls (Hebrew: _megillâh_) were the primary medium for official documents, legal decrees, and prophetic writings, making the image of a scroll a natural symbol for a divine pronouncement or law. The "cubit" was a standard ancient measurement, typically the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm), making the dimensions described in the vision truly immense and visually impactful to the original audience. The vision's emphasis on sin, particularly stealing and false swearing (as revealed in [Zechariah 5:3-4](/zechariah/5-3-4 "Zechariah 5:3-4 - The Scroll's Curse")), points to specific moral failings prevalent in the community that hindered their spiritual and physical restoration.

* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 5:2 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights God's **holiness and justice**, demonstrating that His covenant faithfulness does not negate His demand for righteousness or His commitment to judging sin. Secondly, the "flying roll" underscores the **pervasiveness and inescapability of divine judgment**. Its flight over the entire land signifies that no sin goes unnoticed and no one is beyond the reach of God's righteous decree. Thirdly, the vision reinforces the theme of **covenant accountability**, reminding the returned exiles that their privileged status as God's people came with the responsibility of obedience to His law. The dimensions of the scroll, linking it to the sacred spaces of the [Tabernacle](/exodus/26-15-22 "Exodus 26:15-22 - Dimensions of the Tabernacle") and [Solomon's Temple](/1_kings/6-2-3 "1 Kings 6:2-3 - Dimensions of Solomon's Temple"), emphasize that this judgment emanates from God's holy presence and is tied directly to His sacred law.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **roll (Hebrew, _mᵉgillâh'_):** From H4039, meaning a scroll or volume. This term specifically denotes a written document, emphasizing that the "flying roll" is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible, authoritative decree. In ancient Near Eastern culture, scrolls were used for legal contracts, royal edicts, and prophetic messages, lending weight to the idea that this scroll contains a divine, binding pronouncement. Its nature as a "roll" implies a comprehensive and detailed content, which is revealed in subsequent verses as containing curses.
* **flying (Hebrew, _ʻûwph'_):** From H5774, meaning to cover (with wings), to fly, or to flee away. The active participle "flying" (מְעוּפָה, _mᵉʻûphâh_) describes the scroll's dynamic movement. This is crucial for understanding the vision's message. It suggests not a static pronouncement, but a decree that is actively in motion, swiftly and pervasively enforcing itself throughout the land. It implies divine agency and the certainty that this judgment will reach its intended targets.
* **cubits (Hebrew, _ʼammâh'_):** From H520, referring to a unit of measure, specifically the forearm. The mention of "cubits" provides concrete dimensions for the scroll, making its immense size (approximately 30 feet long by 15 feet wide) strikingly clear. This precise measurement is not arbitrary; as noted in the context, these dimensions correspond to sacred architectural elements, linking the judgment to God's holy presence and the covenant law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto me, What seest thou?"**: This opening phrase indicates the continuation of Zechariah's dialogue with the interpreting angel, a common feature throughout the night visions. The angel's question serves to engage the prophet directly, drawing his attention to the specific object of the vision and prompting his immediate observation. It highlights the interactive nature of divine revelation, where God elicits a response from His chosen messenger.
* **"And I answered, I see a flying roll;"**: Zechariah's response immediately identifies the central object of the vision. The description "flying roll" is unusual and immediately captures the imagination, setting it apart from a typical, static scroll. This unusual characteristic is key to understanding the subsequent revelation of its purpose and function.
* **"the length thereof [is] twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits."**: This precise enumeration of the scroll's dimensions provides critical symbolic information. The immense size emphasizes the magnitude and comprehensiveness of the message it carries. As discussed in the context, these specific dimensions are identical to the porch of Solomon's Temple ([1 Kings 6:3](/1_kings/6-3 "1 Kings 6:3 - Dimensions of the Temple Porch")) and the Holy Place within the Tabernacle ([Exodus 26:16](/exodus/26-16 "Exodus 26:16 - Dimensions of the Tabernacle's Holy Place")). This connection powerfully suggests that the judgment emanating from this scroll originates from God's holy presence and is directly tied to the sacred covenant law given at Sinai, underscoring its divine authority and universal application within the covenant community.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 5:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the "flying roll" itself is a powerful symbol. It represents God's written law and the curses or judgments that accompany its violation. Its immense size and the fact that it is "flying" further symbolize the comprehensive, pervasive, and inescapable nature of divine judgment. The specific dimensions are symbolic, directly referencing the sacred spaces of the Temple and Tabernacle, thereby linking the judgment to God's holy presence and covenant law. Another device is **Imagery**, as the vision presents a vivid and striking mental picture of a colossal scroll soaring through the air. This unusual and dynamic image immediately grabs the prophet's (and the reader's) attention, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the divine decree. Finally, the use of **Interrogation** ("What seest thou?") serves to involve Zechariah directly in the revelatory process, highlighting the importance of his observation and preparing him for the subsequent interpretation of the vision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 5:2 profoundly underscores the immutable character of God's holiness and justice. Even in a period of restoration and grace for His returned people, God does not overlook sin. The "flying roll" serves as a stark reminder that God's law, with its inherent blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, remains active and applicable. It demonstrates that divine judgment is not static or distant but is actively "flying" over the land, indicating its swiftness, certainty, and pervasiveness. This vision emphasizes that true restoration involves not only physical rebuilding but also moral and spiritual purification, reminding God's people that their covenant relationship demands a life of righteousness.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Ezekiel 2:9-10](/ezekiel/2-9-10 "Ezekiel 2:9-10 - The Scroll of Lamentations")
* [Revelation 10:8-10](/revelation/10-8-10 "Revelation 10:8-10 - The Little Scroll")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 5:2 offers a profound call to reflection for believers today. While we live under the new covenant of grace, the vision of the "flying roll" reminds us that God's character as a holy and just God remains unchanged. Sin is not trivial; it carries consequences, and God's moral law is not abrogated. This vision compels us to examine our own lives, asking where we might be out of alignment with God's righteous standards, particularly in areas like honesty, integrity, and respect for others' property. It challenges any complacency regarding personal sin, urging us to take God's commands seriously and to live lives that honor His holiness. Ultimately, it points us to the profound need for God's grace and the redemptive work of Christ, who alone can deliver us from the condemnation that such a "flying roll" of judgment represents.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the image of a "flying roll" challenge my perceptions of God's justice and the seriousness of sin?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be taking God's commands lightly, and what steps can I take to align more fully with His righteousness?**
* **How does this vision deepen my appreciation for the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ

**What does the "flying roll" symbolize in Zechariah 5:2?**

Answer: The "flying roll" primarily symbolizes God's written law and the curses or judgments associated with its violation. Its immense size and active "flying" motion signify the comprehensive, pervasive, and inescapable nature of divine judgment against sin in the land. It represents a divine decree that is actively enforcing itself.

**Why are the dimensions of the flying roll significant?**

Answer: The dimensions—twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide—are highly significant because they correspond precisely to the dimensions of the porch of Solomon's Temple ([1 Kings 6:3](/1_kings/6-3 "1 Kings 6:3 - Dimensions of the Temple Porch")) and the Holy Place within the Tabernacle ([Exodus 26:16](/exodus/26-16 "Exodus 26:16 - Dimensions of the Tabernacle's Holy Place")). This connection implies that the judgment pronounced on the scroll originates from God's holy presence and is directly tied to the covenant law given at Sinai. It signifies a comprehensive and inescapable judgment that covers all aspects of life, particularly those who violate God's sacred commands.

**Does this vision imply that God is only a God of judgment, not grace?**

Answer: Not at all. While the "flying roll" vision focuses on God's justice and the consequences of sin, it is part of a larger series of visions in Zechariah that primarily offer comfort, hope, and promises of restoration to the post-exilic community. This particular vision serves as a necessary reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, even among His covenant people. It highlights that true restoration requires both divine grace and human repentance, preparing the way for the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 5:2, with its ominous "flying roll" of judgment and curses, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The immense scroll, representing the comprehensive weight of God's holy law and its condemnation of sin, points directly to the universal human predicament of being under the curse of the law due to disobedience ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). However, the good news of the Gospel is that Christ, through His perfect life and sacrificial death, bore the full weight of this "flying roll" of judgment on our behalf. As [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He absorbed the divine wrath and the condemnation that we deserved, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law and providing a pathway to forgiveness and freedom from its curse ([Romans 8:1-4](/romans/8-1-4 "Romans 8:1-4 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Thus, what Zechariah saw as a terrifying symbol of inescapable judgment becomes, in Christ, a testament to God's profound love and mercy, as the one who was without sin became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). The flying roll, once a symbol of condemnation, now points to the complete and perfect atonement accomplished by the Lamb of God.

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 4:2

And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all [of] gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which [are] upon the top thereof:

Genesis 6:11

¶ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Genesis 6:13

¶ And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Amos 7:8

And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more:

Jeremiah 1:11

¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

Jeremiah 1:14

Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Zephaniah 1:14

¶ The great day of the LORD [is] near, [it is] near, and hasteth greatly, [even] the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.