Zechariah 5:4

KJV

I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will bring it forth {H3318}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, and it shall enter {H935} into the house {H1004} of the thief {H1590}, and into the house {H1004} of him that sweareth {H7650} falsely {H8267} by my name {H8034}: and it shall remain {H3885} in the midst {H8432} of his house {H1004}, and shall consume {H3615} it with the timber {H6086} thereof and the stones {H68} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

'I will release it,' says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, 'and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of anyone who swears falsely by my name; it will stay there inside the house and consume it completely, even its timbers and stones.'"

Berean Standard Bible

I will send it out, declares the LORD of Hosts, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by My name. It will remain inside his house and destroy it, down to its timbers and stones.”

American Standard Version

I will cause it to go forth, saith Jehovah of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name; and it shall abide in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 5:4 concludes the vision of the flying scroll, vividly portraying the divine curse's inescapable and devastating impact on those who commit theft and perjury within the post-exilic community. This verse underscores the Lord's unwavering commitment to justice, declaring that the curse, emanating directly from God's decree, will enter the homes of the wicked and utterly consume every part of their dwelling, symbolizing the complete eradication of unrighteousness and its legacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 5:4 is the concluding verse of the fifth vision in Zechariah's series of eight night visions, specifically the "flying scroll" (Zechariah 5:1-4). This vision immediately follows the vision of the four chariots (Zechariah 6:1-8) and precedes the vision of the ephah (Zechariah 5:5-11). The flying scroll, described as twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide, represents a comprehensive curse covering the entire land. Verse 3 explicitly identifies the targets of this curse: "every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it." Thus, verse 4 elaborates on the mechanism and thoroughness of this judgment, emphasizing its divine origin and destructive power as it enters and consumes the homes of those guilty of these specific sins.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied to the Jewish community that had returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile, alongside Haggai, around 520-518 BC. Their primary mission was to encourage the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and to call the people to spiritual renewal and obedience to God's covenant. Despite the return, the community faced internal moral decay, including issues of dishonesty, theft, and false swearing, which undermined social trust and defiled the covenant relationship with God. The imagery of a curse entering and consuming a house would have been deeply impactful in an agrarian society where the family home represented security, legacy, and accumulated wealth. Oaths were a common and serious part of legal and social life, often invoked in God's name, making false swearing a profound offense against both human and divine order.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Zechariah and broader biblical theology. It highlights God's **sovereignty and active involvement in judgment**, particularly through the declaration "saith the LORD of hosts," which emphasizes His ultimate authority over all creation and human affairs, ensuring the curse's execution. The vision also underscores the **sanctity of God's covenant and His demand for righteousness** among His people, as the specific sins targeted—theft and false swearing—are direct violations of the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment") and [Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment")). Furthermore, the theme of **divine cleansing and purification** is prominent, as the curse's total consumption of the house symbolizes God's intent to remove all unrighteousness from the land, preparing the community for a holy future and the coming of the Messiah, as foreshadowed in other visions like [Zechariah 3:9](/zechariah/3-9 "Zechariah 3:9 - Removing Iniquity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bring it forth (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ_):** H3318 – This primitive root means "to go (causatively, bring) out" or "to issue forth." In this context, it emphasizes the divine initiative and active deployment of the curse. It's not a passive threat but an active, God-ordained force being released into the world to accomplish its purpose. The Lord Himself is the agent ensuring its manifestation.
* **thief (Hebrew, _gannâb_):** H1590 – Derived from the root "to steal," this word denotes one who takes what does not belong to them, often covertly. This refers to a direct violation of the eighth commandment, undermining the fabric of community trust and property rights, which were foundational to Israelite society.
* **sweareth falsely (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ_ H7650, _sheqer_ H8267):** _Shâbaʻ_ means "to swear" or "to take an oath," often by invoking God's name. _Sheqer_ means "an untruth" or "falsehood." Together, they describe perjury or taking God's name in vain by swearing a lie. This was a grave offense, not only against one's neighbor but directly against God, whose name was invoked to validate a falsehood, thereby profaning His holiness and authority.
* **consume (Hebrew, _kâlâh_):** H3615 – This primitive root means "to end," "to cease," "to be finished," or "to perish." When transitive, it means "to complete," "to prepare," or "to consume." Here, it signifies a complete and utter destruction, leaving nothing remaining. It implies a thorough and irreversible eradication, not just of the individual but of their very dwelling and everything associated with their legacy of sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and irresistible power behind the curse. The "LORD of hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth) is a majestic title emphasizing God's supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly armies and powers, signifying that His decree is absolute and will be executed without fail. The "it" refers to the flying scroll, which embodies the curse.
* **"and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name":** This specifies the targets of the curse: those who steal and those who commit perjury. The repetition of "into the house" underscores that the judgment is personal, penetrating the most intimate and foundational unit of society—the family dwelling. It highlights the direct consequence of these specific covenant violations.
* **"and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof":** This describes the comprehensive and enduring nature of the judgment. The curse will not merely pass through but "remain" (H3885, _lûwn_, to stay permanently), signifying an unrelenting process. The phrase "consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof" uses concrete imagery to convey total destruction, implying that not only the contents but the very structure of the house will be annihilated, leaving no trace of the wicked person's legacy or security.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 5:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. **Personification** is evident as the abstract "curse" (represented by the flying scroll) is given agency: it is "brought forth," "enters," "remains," and "consumes," acting like a living, destructive force. This makes the judgment feel immediate and active rather than a distant threat. **Symbolism** is central, with the "house" representing not merely a physical dwelling but the entire sphere of the individual's life, security, and legacy. The "timber" and "stones" symbolize the very foundations and components of existence, emphasizing the holistic and complete nature of the destruction. Furthermore, the description of the curse consuming the very building materials functions as **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the destruction to underscore its totality and the inescapable ruin brought by divine judgment on unrepentant sin. This vivid imagery ensures the message of God's absolute justice is deeply impressed upon the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 5:4 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and holiness, particularly within His covenant community. It reveals that the Lord does not tolerate unrighteousness, especially sins that directly undermine societal trust and profane His name. The thoroughness of the judgment—consuming the very "timber" and "stones" of the house—underscores the pervasive and destructive nature of sin, which impacts not only the individual but their entire sphere of influence and legacy. This passage serves as a stark reminder that while God is merciful, He is also righteous and will ultimately purge evil from His presence, ensuring that His people live in integrity and reverence.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-19](/deuteronomy/28-15-19 "Deuteronomy 28:15-19 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 10:29](/proverbs/10-29 "Proverbs 10:29 - The Way of the Lord is Strength")
* [Malachi 3:5](/malachi/3-5 "Malachi 3:5 - The Coming Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 5:4 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of the gravity of sin and the certainty of God's justice. In a world often characterized by dishonesty, fraud, and the casual misuse of sacred things, this verse calls believers to a profound level of integrity and reverence. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we honest in our dealings, faithful to our word, and reverent in our use of God's name? The image of the curse consuming the very "timber" and "stones" of a house should impress upon us that sin has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only our personal standing before God but also our families, reputations, and legacies. It is a sobering warning that superficial piety or outward conformity cannot hide inward corruption from the all-seeing "LORD of hosts." This passage compels us to pursue genuine righteousness, understanding that true peace and blessing comes only from living in alignment with God's holy character and commands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to compromise integrity or use God's name lightly?**
* **How does the thoroughness of this judgment (consuming timber and stones) challenge my understanding of the consequences of sin?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater honesty and reverence for God in my daily interactions?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to pray for justice in my community and to live as an agent of righteousness?**

### FAQ

**What is the "flying scroll" mentioned in Zechariah 5:1-4?**

Answer: The "flying scroll" is a symbolic representation of a comprehensive divine curse or judgment that covers the entire land. Its large dimensions (twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide) suggest its vast reach and the totality of its effect. It embodies the written divine law and its accompanying curses for disobedience, actively moving to bring judgment upon those who violate God's covenant, specifically targeting the sins of theft and false swearing, as detailed in [Zechariah 5:3](/zechariah/5-3 "Zechariah 5:3 - The Flying Scroll's Purpose").

**Why are "theft" and "false swearing" specifically targeted by this curse?**

Answer: Theft and false swearing (perjury, or taking God's name in vain) are fundamental violations of the Mosaic Law, specifically the Eighth Commandment ("You shall not steal" - [Exodus 20:15](/exodus/20-15 "Exodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment")) and the Third Commandment ("You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" - [Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment")). These sins directly undermine the social fabric of the community, destroying trust and justice, and profoundly dishonor God's holy name. In the post-exilic context, such moral failures were particularly egregious as the returned exiles were meant to be a purified people, dedicated to God. The targeting of these specific sins highlights their destructive impact on both human relationships and the covenant relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zechariah 5:4 presents a terrifying vision of divine judgment against sin, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Jesus Christ. The curse of the flying scroll, consuming houses and legacies, points to the profound and destructive nature of sin, which brings spiritual death and separation from God, as articulated in [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). However, Christ, as the ultimate sin-bearer, became the curse for us. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") declares, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us." He absorbed the full wrath and judgment that sin deserved, enduring the ultimate consumption on the cross, so that those who believe in Him might be freed from the condemnation of the law and its curses. Furthermore, Christ is the one who perfectly fulfilled the law, never stealing or swearing falsely, living a life of perfect integrity and truthfulness. His coming also inaugurates a new covenant where the law is written on hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")), enabling believers to live righteously by the power of the Holy Spirit, thereby overcoming the very sins targeted by the flying scroll. Ultimately, the judgment depicted in Zechariah 5:4 foreshadows the final, comprehensive judgment that Christ will execute upon all unrighteousness at His second coming, ensuring a new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

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

Proverbs 3:33

The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Habakkuk 2:9

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

Habakkuk 2:11

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

Malachi 3:5

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Leviticus 14:34

When ye be come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put the plague of leprosy in a house of the land of your possession;

Leviticus 14:45

And he shall break down the house, the stones of it, and the timber thereof, and all the morter of the house; and he shall carry [them] forth out of the city into an unclean place.

Deuteronomy 7:26

Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: [but] thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it [is] a cursed thing.