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.

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}.

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

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

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.

Zechariah 5:2 introduces the prophet's fifth vision, a striking and somewhat ominous sight of a "flying roll" or scroll. This vision immediately grabs attention due to the scroll's unusual movement and immense size, setting the stage for a powerful message concerning divine judgment and the pervasive nature of sin.

Context of the Vision

This vision occurs during a period of rebuilding and restoration for the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem. Zechariah's prophecies, given alongside Haggai's, aimed to encourage the people to complete the Temple and to remind them of God's presence and covenant faithfulness. While earlier visions offered comfort and promise (e.g., the riders among the myrtle trees or the cleansing of Joshua the High Priest), the "flying roll" vision shifts focus to God's holiness and the inescapable consequences of disobedience, even among His covenant people. It serves as a stark reminder that while God is gracious, He is also just.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Law: The "flying roll" (Hebrew: megillah, meaning scroll) is explicitly identified in the subsequent verse as containing curses. It represents God's written law and the judgment that accompanies its violation. The fact that it is "flying" suggests the swiftness, certainty, and pervasive nature of divine judgment, reaching every corner of the land and every individual.
  • Dimensions of Judgment: The specified dimensions—twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide—are highly significant. These are the exact dimensions of the porch of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6:3) and the Holy Place within the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:16). This connection implies that the judgment pronounced on the scroll originates from God's holy presence and is 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.
  • Pervasiveness of Sin: The scroll's flight over the land emphasizes that sin, particularly stealing and false swearing (as revealed in Zechariah 5:3), was widespread. This vision underscores that no sin goes unnoticed by God, and His law applies to all.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The Hebrew term for "roll" is megillah (מְגִלָּה), which refers to a scroll, much like ancient books were kept. Scrolls were used for official documents, legal decrees, and prophetic writings. The image of a "flying" scroll is unique and powerfully conveys the idea of a decree or judgment that is actively moving and enforcing itself throughout the land, not merely a static pronouncement. The cubit was a standard ancient measurement, typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18 inches (45 cm). Thus, the scroll was approximately 30 feet long and 15 feet wide, an immense size that visually reinforces the magnitude and comprehensiveness of the divine judgment it carries.

Practical Application

For a contemporary audience, Zechariah 5:2 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unchanging character: He is holy and just, and His law is immutable. While we live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, this vision still highlights the seriousness of sin and the ultimate accountability before God. It compels us to consider the areas in our own lives where we might be out of alignment with God's commands. Ultimately, it points to the profound truth that Christ bore the curses of the law on our behalf (Galatians 3:13), offering forgiveness and freedom from the condemnation represented by this flying scroll. This vision encourages reverence for God's holiness and a renewed commitment to living in accordance with His righteous ways.

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.

  • 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.

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