Zechariah 5 Commentary

This chapter records the sixth and seventh visions of Zechariah. In the sixth vision, the prophet sees a scroll flying through the sky with curses written on each side. The scroll is a curse signifying that God will judge the wicked ones of Judah to purify the land. In the seventh vision, Zechariah sees a woman, here a symbol of the people's sin, confined in a basket and transported by two winged women. The action signifies that God will remove the sin of the Judeans and take it to Babylonia. The outline is as follows:

1. Zechariah sees a flying scroll with curses written on each side. The scroll is the instrument through which the LORD will punish thieves and those who abuse His name by making false oaths.
2. Zechariah sees a woman in a basket who personifies the wickedness of Judah. He also sees two other women grabbing the basket and flying into the sky like winged storks to transport it to Shinar (Babylon). The action means that the LORD will remove the sin of Judah and take it to Babylonia.