Zechariah 5:6

And I said, What [is] it? And he said, This [is] an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This [is] their resemblance through all the earth.

And I said {H559}, What is it? And he said {H559}, This is an ephah {H374} that goeth forth {H3318}. He said {H559} moreover, This is their resemblance {H5869} through all the earth {H776}.

I asked, "What is it?" He said, "This is the eifah-measure [a one-bushel dry-measure] passing by." Then he added, "This is their eye in all the land."

โ€œWhat is it?โ€ I asked. And he replied, โ€œA measuring basket is going forth.โ€ Then he continued, โ€œThis is their iniquity in all the land.โ€

And I said, What is it? And he said, This is the ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their appearance in all the land

Commentary

Context

Zechariah 5:6 is part of a series of eight night visions granted to the prophet Zechariah during the post-exilic period, around 520-518 BC. These visions served to encourage the Jewish people as they returned from Babylonian captivity and began rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. The fifth vision, presented in Zechariah 5:5-11, focuses on the symbolic removal of wickedness from the land. This verse specifically introduces the central object of the vision: the ephah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation: The prophet Zechariah continues his dialogue with the interpreting angel, seeking understanding of the mysterious object. This highlights God's active communication with His people through His messengers.
  • Symbol of Wickedness: The ephah is presented as a measure of iniquity. In ancient Israel, an ephah was a standard dry measure, typically used for grain (about 22 liters or 5-6 gallons). Here, it is repurposed to symbolize the accumulated weight or volume of sin and moral corruption within the land.
  • Universal Scope of Judgment: The phrase "their resemblance through all the earth" signifies that the wickedness represented by the ephah is not confined to Judah but is a pervasive human problem, and God's judgment against it is universal. This sets the stage for the ultimate removal of this iniquity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "ephah" (ืึตื™ืคึธื”, 'ephah) literally denotes a measuring basket or container. Its use here transforms it from a mundane object into a powerful symbol of sin's quantity. The word "resemblance" (ืขึตื™ื ึธื, 'eynam), derived from `ayin` (eye), conveys the idea of their "appearance" or "likeness," suggesting that the ephah itself embodies the very form or character of the people's iniquity throughout the land.

Related Scriptures

This vision of the ephah follows directly after the vision of the flying scroll (Zechariah 5:1-4), both of which emphasize God's impending judgment on sin and lawlessness. The subsequent verses in this same vision reveal more about what is contained within the ephah and its ultimate destination in the land of Shinar, symbolizing the removal of wickedness from God's holy land.

Practical Application

Zechariah 5:6 reminds us that God is fully aware of and measures the extent of human sin. Nothing escapes His notice, and He has a plan to deal with all forms of unrighteousness. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful call to personal and corporate holiness, understanding that God desires to purify His people and remove wickedness from our midst. It reinforces the truth that God's ultimate desire is for a holy dwelling place among His people, free from the defilement of sin.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 8:5

    Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

  • Ezekiel 44:10

    ยถ And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity.

  • Ezekiel 44:11

    Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, [having] charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.