Then 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.
ZECHARIAH 5:3KJVWhat does Zechariah 5:3 mean?
Zechariah 5:3 describes a curse that will go out over the whole land, declaring that everyone who steals or swears falsely will be removed or punished according to what is written on each side of a flying scroll. The verse shows that wrongdoing, specifically stealing and false swearing, will be judged openly and fairly.
In this vision, the prophet Zechariah is being spoken to by an angel, who explains the meaning of a large flying scroll Zechariah sees. The scroll represents a public declaration of judgment against those who break God's commands, especially those who steal and those who swear falsely. The scene is part of a series of visions where Zechariah is shown how God will deal with sin among His people.
The Hebrew behind Zechariah 5:3
- "curse" (אָלָה, 'alah): This word means a solemn pronouncement of judgment or misfortune. Here, it is not just a feeling but an official, binding declaration that wrongdoing will have consequences.
- "stealeth" (גָּנַב, ganav): This word specifically refers to the act of stealing. The verse singles out theft as one of the key offenses that brings about the curse.
- "sweareth" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to swear, often in the sense of taking an oath. In this context, it points to swearing falsely, which is to lie under oath or misuse God's name.
- "cut off" (נָקָה, naqah): This word means to be made clean, free, or removed. In this verse, it carries the idea of being removed or purged from the community as a result of the curse.
Why Zechariah 5:3 matters
- Zechariah 5:3 clarifies that God's judgment is not random but targets specific sins—stealing and false swearing—that harm community trust and justice.
- The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that God's law is still active and that public, visible judgment (the flying scroll) will come against those who ignore it.
- It helps clear up the idea that sin can be hidden or ignored; instead, Zechariah 5:3 emphasizes that wrongdoing will be exposed and dealt with openly.