Zechariah 5:2-4

2. The interpreting angel calls the attention of the prophet to the new vision by means of a question (compare Zechariah 4:2, and see references there). The roll was unfolded, so that its immense size could be recognized.

Length… twenty cubits… the breadth… ten cubits The measurements of the porch of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:3) and of the holy place in the tabernacle, as it may be determined from Exodus 26:0, and as it is given by Josephus (Antiquities, iii, Zechariah 6:4). The exact figures may have been suggested by one or the other of these places, but it is not probable that they possess any special symbolic meaning; all they are intended to do is to indicate the great size of the roll. The Hebrews appear to have used two cubits, one a little longer than the other, but the data are insufficient to determine the exact length of either; the length of the common cubit is estimated at approximately eighteen inches (see Hastings’s Dictionary of the Bible, article “Weights and Measures”).

The interpretation is given in Zechariah 5:3-4.

This is the curse We must think of the roll as inscribed, perhaps upon both sides, with a curse or curses, similar to those in Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Deuteronomy 28:15-68, though there is no reason to suppose that the prophet has in mind these curses.

The whole earth Better, R.V., “land.” Zechariah 5:6 and especially Zechariah 5:11 clearly show that the reference is to Palestine or Judah, or at the most to the extended Judah (Zechariah 2:11). Two classes of criminals are singled out.

Shall be cut off The Hebrew verb is used ordinarily in the sense of acquit, free from guilt; in this passage most commentators take it in a physical sense, clear away cut off, or destroy (Isaiah 3:26).

On this side R.V., “on the one side”; better, margin, “from hence,” that is, from the land.

According to it According to the curses inscribed upon the roll. Some commentators insist that the more common meaning of the verb should be retained; if that is done the text of the rest of the verse must be changed. Wellhausen reads, “For everyone that stealeth hath for long remained unpunished, and everyone that sweareth hath for long remained unpunished”; therefore Jehovah is sending his judgment.

Everyone that sweareth Must be interpreted in the light of Zechariah 5:4 as equivalent to “everyone that sweareth falsely by my name.” The Old Testament does not condemn swearing per se; it condemns only false swearing (compare Hosea 4:2); Matthew 5:34 ff., is on the New Testament level.

I will bring it forth Better and literally, I have caused it to go forth: it has already started on its mission of judgment. Its destination is the houses of the evil doers.

Shall remain Literally, lodge over night; but it will not sleep.

Shall consume Not only will it announce the judgment, it will execute it.

It The house, including the inhabitants.

With the timber thereof and the stones thereof That is, utterly.

Only two forms of wickedness are specified, stealing and false swearing. It is hardly likely, however, that these were the only sins recognized or prevalent in the days of Zechariah; it seems better to regard these as types of two classes of wickedness, stealing as representing all sins committed against man, false swearing by the name of Jehovah as representing all sins committed against Jehovah. Under these two heads all forms of sin may be grouped, as in the Decalogue. If this is done the vision symbolizes the destruction of sinners of every sort.