Zechariah 5

Zechariah · Chapter 5

Zechariah 5:11

1Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.2And 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.3Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for 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.4I 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.5Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.6And 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.7And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.8And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.9Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.10Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?11And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
11And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.“To build a house for it in the land of Shinar,” he told me. “And when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its pedestal.”And he said unto me, To build her a house in the land of Shinar: and when it is prepared, she shall be set there in her own place.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

In one of Zechariah's night visions, a woman whom the angel names "wickedness" is shut inside an ephah under a weight of lead. Two women with wings like a stork's lift the ephah up between the earth and the heaven. This verse gives the angel's answer to where they take it: to the land of Shinar, where a house is built for it and it is set there upon its own base. Zechariah overviewZechariah 5:6Zechariah 5:7Zechariah 5:8Zechariah 5:9Zechariah 5:10Zechariah 5:11

SpeakingThe angel that talked with Zechariah answers the prophet's question. Zechariah 5:10Zechariah 5:11

ToThe angel speaks to Zechariah. The book's messages are for the people of Judah who had come back from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 5:10Zechariah overview

Also involvedThe thing carried away is the woman in the ephah, whom the angel names "wickedness." It is lifted up from the earth and taken away to Shinar. Zechariah 5:7Zechariah 5:8Zechariah 5:9Zechariah 5:11

Wickedness, sealed in the ephah under the lead, is carried to Shinar. There a house is built for it, and it is established and set down on its own base. It is given a fixed home in a far land. Zechariah 5:8Zechariah 5:9Zechariah 5:11Strong's H3559AStrong's H5117Strong's H4369

Zechariah received the visions in Jerusalem among the returned exiles. The ephah is taken to Shinar, the ancient name for the region later known as Babylonia or Chaldea. Zechariah overviewStrong's H8152Shinar

JUDAHBABYLONIASHINARJerusalemTyreSidonDamascusHamath 1GazaAshdodMegiddo

The eventsThis is one of the eight night visions in 1:7-6:8. The book's dated messages fall in the reign of Darius king of Persia, about 520-518 BC, while the temple was being rebuilt. Zechariah overview

WrittenTraditional: Zechariah wrote it, with dated messages from about 520 to 518 BC. Scholarly: most scholars agree chapters 1-8, which include this vision, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview

HereThe vision follows the flying roll, the curse that cuts off the thief and him that sweareth falsely. Together they show God dealing with sin. Here wickedness is not only named and shut in but carried away and given a home elsewhere. Zechariah 5:3Zechariah 5:4Zechariah 5:8Zechariah 5:9Zechariah 5:11

In the whole of ScriptureShinar is where the kingdom of Babel began (Genesis 10:10). It is also where the vessels of God's house were carried "to the house of his god" when Judah's king was given into a foreign king's hand (Daniel 1:2). Isaiah foresaw God recovering the remnant of his people "from Shinar" (Isaiah 11:11). In this vision the people have come back, and it is wickedness that is carried off to Shinar. Genesis 10:10Daniel 1:2Isaiah 11:11Zechariah overviewZechariah 5:11

For readersThe exiles had once been told to "build ye houses" in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:28). Now it is wickedness that gets a house there. The vision tells God's people that he is taking wickedness away, in keeping with his promise to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jeremiah 29:28Zechariah 5:11Zechariah overview

  • Shinarשִׁנְעָר
    Hebrew · shin.ar · H8152

    The lexicon glosses Shinar as "country of two rivers," the old name for Babylonia or Chaldea. Scripture names it as the place where Babel's kingdom began (Genesis 10:10) and where the vessels of God's house were taken to the house of a foreign god (Daniel 1:2). So wickedness is sent to the land of exile. Strong's H8152Genesis 10:10Daniel 1:2

  • establishedכּוּן
    Hebrew · kun · H3559A

    The word means to be set up, fixed, firmly established, stable, or enduring, and also to be prepared. Wickedness is not just dropped in Shinar; it is settled there. Strong's H3559A

  • baseמְכֻנָה
    Hebrew · me.khu.nah · H4369

    The word means a resting place or base. Wickedness is set "upon her own base," a stand of its own in its new house in Shinar. Strong's H4369Zechariah 5:11

Takeaway

Zechariah 5:11 shows wickedness carried away and given a settled home in Shinar, the land of Babel and of exile. With the vision of the flying roll before it, it shows God dealing with sin as he promises to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Zechariah 5:3Zechariah 5:8Zechariah 5:11Strong's H8152Genesis 10:10Zechariah overview

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

The ephah
An ephah was the basket or vessel used to measure grain. The law required "a just ephah," and Amos condemns sellers "making the ephah small." Zechariah 5:6Leviticus 19:36Amos 8:5

About 520-518 BC. King of Persia: Darius I (522-486 BC). Where Zechariah prophesied. A small, poor community was rebuilding the temple among the ruins of the city Babylon had burned.

Who ruled
  • King of PersiaDarius I522-486 BC

    Zechariah dates his messages by the years of Darius. Darius confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the temple work to go on at royal expense. Zechariah 1:1Zechariah 7:1Ezra 6:1-12Haggai 1:1Behistun Inscription

  • Governor of JudahZerubbabelc. 520 BC

    A descendant of David who led the rebuilding. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:8

  • High priestJoshua the high priestc. 520 BC

    Called Jeshua in Ezra. He stands in Zechariah's vision clothed in filthy garments, which are taken away, and later receives crowns as a sign. Zechariah 3:1-10Zechariah 6:11Haggai 1:1Ezra 3:2

  • Persian governor "on this side the river"Tattenaic. 520 BC

    The governor of the province west of the Euphrates. He asked who had allowed the building, wrote to Darius, and was told to let the work go on. Ezra 5:3-6Ezra 6:6-13

What was happening, 539 BC to 332 BC
  1. 539 BC
    WarBabylon falls to Cyrus

    Cyrus king of Persia took Babylon, ending the empire that had destroyed Jerusalem. Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Cyrus Cylinder

  2. 538 BC
    God's peopleThe first return

    Cyrus let the exiles go home to build the LORD's house. About fifty thousand returned with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Ezra 1:1-4Ezra 2:1-2Ezra 2:64-65

  3. c. 536 BC
    God's peopleThe foundation is laid, then the work stops

    The returned exiles laid the temple's foundation with shouting and weeping. Opposition from their neighbors stopped the work until the second year of Darius. Ezra 3:10-13Ezra 4:4-5Ezra 4:24

  4. 525 BC
    WarPersia conquers Egypt

    Cyrus's son Cambyses invaded and took Egypt, bringing the whole region from the Nile to the Indus under one king. Herodotus, Histories 3.1-16

  5. 522-521 BC
    WarDarius crushes the revolts

    When Darius took the throne, provinces across the empire rebelled, Babylon twice. By 520 he had put them all down. Compare the riders' report in Zechariah's first vision: "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest." Behistun InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 3.150-159Zechariah 1:11

  6. 520 BC
    God's peopleHaggai and Zechariah stir the people to build

    In Darius's second year the two prophets urged the people to take up the temple work again, and Zerubbabel and Jeshua began to build. Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 1:1-15Zechariah 1:1

  7. c. 520-519 BC
    RulersDarius confirms Cyrus's decree

    Tattenai questioned the building. A search found Cyrus's decree at Achmetha, and Darius ordered the work to continue and be paid for from royal taxes. Ezra 5:3-6:12

  8. 515 BC
    BuildingThe second temple is finished

    The temple was finished on the third day of Adar in Darius's sixth year and dedicated with joy. Ezra 6:14-18Zechariah 4:9

  9. 490-479 BC
    WarPersia's wars with Greece

    Persia invaded Greece twice and was turned back at Marathon (490), Salamis (480) and Plataea (479). Greece, which Zechariah names in 9:13, was becoming Persia's great rival. Herodotus, Histories 6.102-117Herodotus, Histories 8.40-96Herodotus, Histories 9.1-89Zechariah 9:13

  10. 445 BC
    BuildingNehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem's walls

    Under the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah came from Shushan and rebuilt the walls in fifty-two days. Nehemiah 2:1-8Nehemiah 6:15

  11. 332 BC
    WarAlexander takes Tyre and Gaza

    Alexander the Great besieged island Tyre for seven months and then Gaza for two, on his way to Egypt. Zechariah 9 speaks of Tyre's "strong hold" and of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ekron and Ashdod. Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 2.15-27Zechariah 9:3-7

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records (the Behistun Inscription, the Cyrus Cylinder, the Babylonian Chronicles) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Where

Locations from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Some ancient sites are uncertain.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
and he saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai-YO-merH0559
to say

אָמַר (a.mar) 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

to meאֵלַ֔י'e-LAIH0413
to(wards)

אֶל (el) 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

to buildלִבְנֽוֹת־LIV-not-H1129
to build

בְּנָה (be.nah) 1) to build 1a) (P'al) to build 1b) (Ithp'il) to be built

a houseבַ֖יִתVA-yitH1004B
to lodge

בִּית (but) (P'al) to pass the night, lodge Aramaic of ba.yit (בַּ֫יִת ": home" H1004B)

in [the] land ofבְּאֶ֣רֶץbe-'E-retzH0776G
land: country/planet

אֶ֫רֶץ (e.rets) : country/field 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth …

Shinarשִׁנְעָ֑רshin-'ARH8152
Shinar

שִׁנְעָר (shin.ar) § Shinar = "country of two rivers" the ancient name for the territory later known as Babylonia or Chaldea

and it will be preparedוְהוּכַ֛ןve-hu-KHANH3559A
to establish: prepare

כּוּן (kun) : prepare/direct 1) to be firm, be stable, be established 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed 1a1a) to be firmly established 1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring 1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined 1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense) 1a3) to prepare, be ready 1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm 1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish 1b3) to direct toward (moral sense) 1b4) to arrange, order 1c) (Hophal) …

and it will be placedוְהֻנִּ֥יחָהve-hu-NI-chahH5117
to rest

יָנַח (ya.nach) 1) to rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rest, settle down and remain 1a2) to repose, have rest, be quiet 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rest, give rest to, make quiet 1b2) to cause to rest, cause to alight, set down 1b3) to lay or set down, deposit, let lie, place 1b4) to let remain, leave 1b5) to leave, depart from 1b6) to abandon 1b7) to permit 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to obtain rest, be granted rest 1c2) to be left, be placed 1c3) open space (subst)

thereשָּׁ֖םshamH8033G
there

שָׁם (sham) 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

onעַל־'al-H5921A
upon

עַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) …

on own stand itsמְכֻנָתָֽהּ׃ סme-khu-na-TAHH4369
base

מְכֻנָה (me.khu.nah) resting place, base Another spelling of me.kho.nah (מְכוֹנָה "base" H4350)

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.