Zechariah 5

Zechariah · Chapter 5

Zechariah 5:2

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
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.“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.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

In one of Zechariah's night visions, he is asked what he sees, and he describes a huge flying scroll, twenty cubits long and ten wide. The next verses explain it: it is the curse that goes out against everyone who steals and everyone who swears falsely by God's name, and it will enter and consume their houses. Zechariah 5:1Zechariah 5:2Zechariah 5:3Zechariah 5:4Zechariah overview

Speaking"He" is the angel that talked with Zechariah, who asks the question. Zechariah himself gives the answer. Zechariah 5:2Zechariah 5:5Zechariah overview

ToThe question is put to Zechariah. The vision was then given to the people of Judah who had returned from exile in Babylon. Zechariah 5:2Zechariah overview

Also involvedThe scroll is aimed at the thief and at the one who swears falsely by the LORD's name. It will enter their houses and consume them. Zechariah 5:3Zechariah 5:4

Zechariah reports what he sees: a flying scroll measuring twenty by ten cubits. A cubit was roughly 18 inches, so the scroll was about 30 feet by 15 feet. Verse 3 says what it is: a written curse going out over the face of the whole earth. The text does not explain why it has these exact measurements. Zechariah 5:2Zechariah 5:3Strong's H4039Strong's H0520A

Zechariah received the vision among the returned exiles in Jerusalem. In the vision, the scroll's curse goes out over the face of the whole earth. Zechariah overviewZechariah 5:3

JUDAHMediterranean SeaJerusalemTyreSidonDamascusHamath 1GazaAshdodMegiddo

The eventsThe vision belongs to the eight night visions of 1:7-6:8. Zechariah's dated messages come from 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 that chapters 1-8, including this vision, come from Zechariah in 520-518 BC. Zechariah overview

HereThe question "What seest thou?" makes the prophet name the sign, and verse 3 then explains it. Prophets are asked the same question in Zechariah 4:2, Amos 7:8 and Jeremiah 1:11. In Amos 7:8 the LORD asks it and then explains the sign of the plumbline. Zechariah 5:2Zechariah 5:3Zechariah 4:2Amos 7:8Jeremiah 1:11

In the whole of ScriptureThis vision and the next one, of wickedness shut in an ephah and carried off to Shinar, show God removing sin from among his people. This fits the book's call, "turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you." Zechariah 5:3Zechariah 5:8Zechariah 5:11Zechariah overview

For readersGod's judgment on theft and on false oaths in his name is not idle talk. It reaches into the guilty person's own house. Peter likewise warns of deceivers "whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not." Zechariah 5:42 Peter 2:3

  • roll / scrollמְגִלָּה
    Hebrew · me.gil.lah · H4039

    The word means a roll, book or writing. What flies here is a written document, which verse 3 identifies as the curse. Strong's H4039Zechariah 5:3

  • flyingעוּף
    Hebrew · uph · H5774A

    The word means to fly, fly about or hover. It fits a curse that "goeth forth over the face of the whole earth" and enters the houses of the guilty. Strong's H5774AZechariah 5:3Zechariah 5:4

  • cubitאַמָּה
    Hebrew · am.mah · H0520A

    A cubit was a forearm's length, roughly 18 inches. That makes the scroll about 30 by 15 feet. Strong's H0520AZechariah 5:2

Takeaway

The flying scroll is not a riddle left open. The angel explains it at once as God's written curse against stealing and false swearing, sent out to find the guilty and enter their houses. Zechariah 5:2Zechariah 5:3Zechariah 5:4

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

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.

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)

what?מָ֥הmahH4100
what

מָא (ma) 1) what, whatever 1a) what? 1b) whatever, what, whatsoever 1c) how?, why?, wherefore? (with prefixes)

[are] youאַתָּ֖ה'a-TAHH0859A
you

אַנְתָּה (an.tah) you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

seeingרֹאֶ֑הro-'EHH7200G
to see: see

רָאָה (ra.ah) : see/show 1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, perceive 1a3) to see, have vision 1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out 1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish 1a6) to look at, gaze at 1a7) to provide, choose 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to appear, present oneself 1b2) to be seen 1b3) to be visible 1c) (Pual) to be seen 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to see, show 1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at 1e) (Hophal) …

and I saidוָאֹמַ֗רva-'o-MARH0559
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)

Iאֲנִ֤י'a-NIH0589
me

אֲנָא (a.na) I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis) Aramaic of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)

[am] seeingרֹאֶה֙ro-'EHH7200G
to see: see

רָאָה (ra.ah) : see/show 1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, perceive 1a3) to see, have vision 1a4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out 1a5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish 1a6) to look at, gaze at 1a7) to provide, choose 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to appear, present oneself 1b2) to be seen 1b3) to be visible 1c) (Pual) to be seen 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to see, show 1d2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at 1e) (Hophal) …

a scrollמְגִלָּ֣הme-gi-LAHH4039
scroll

מְגִלָּה (me.gil.lah) roll, book, writing Aramaic equivalent: me.gil.lah (מְגִלָּה "scroll" H4040)

flyingעָפָ֔ה'a-FAHH5774A
to fly

עוּף (uph) v 1) to fly, fly about, fly away 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to fly, hover 1a2) to fly away 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to fly, light upon 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to fly about or to and fro 1c2) to cause to fly to and fro, brandish 1d) (Hithpolel) to fly away 2) (Qal) to cover, be dark

length itsאָרְכָּהּ֙'a-re-KAHH0753
length

אֹ֫רֶךְ (o.rekh) 1) length 1a) physical length 1b) of time 2) forbearance, self-restraint (of patience)

[is] twentyעֶשְׂרִ֣ים'es-RIMH6242
twenty

עֶשְׂרִים (es.rim) twenty, twentieth Aramaic equivalent: es.rin (עֶשְׂרִין "twenty" H6243)

by the cubitבָּֽאַמָּ֔הba-'a-MAHH0520A
cubit

אַמָּה (am.mah) cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)

and breadth itsוְרָחְבָּ֖הּve-ra-che-BAHH7341
width

רֹ֫חַב (ro.chav) breadth, width, expanse

[is] tenעֶ֥שֶׂר'E-serH6235
ten

עֶשֶׂר (e.ser) 1) ten 1a) ten 1b) with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)

by the cubitבָּאַמָּֽה׃ba-'a-MAHH0520A
cubit

אַמָּה (am.mah) cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)

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