Zechariah 5:6 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 5:6 mean?

Zechariah 5:6 describes the prophet Zechariah asking what he is seeing in a vision, and the angel answering that it is an "ephah" (a measuring basket) going out, saying this object represents what is seen or common throughout the whole land. The verse uses the image of the ephah to symbolize something widespread among the people, hinting at a message about their condition or actions.

In this scene, Zechariah is speaking with an angel who is showing him a vision. The ephah is a standard measure for grain, so its appearance in the vision suggests something being measured, weighed, or judged. The angel explains that this ephah is a picture of what is found everywhere in the land, setting up the next part of the vision, which will reveal more about what the ephah represents.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 5:6

• אֵיפָה (ephah, transliterated "ephah"): This word refers to a common basket or container used for measuring grain. Its use here suggests the idea of measuring or assessing something among the people.
• מוֹצֵאת (yotze, transliterated "forth"): This word means "going out" or "emerging." The ephah is not just stationary but is moving or being sent out, which could suggest an active process affecting the whole land.
• תַּבְנִית (eyn, transliterated "resemblance"): This word is often understood as "appearance" or "representation." The ephah is described as the "resemblance" or image of what is present everywhere, making the vision a symbol for something widespread.
• אֶרֶץ (eretz, transliterated "earth" or "land"): This word refers to the whole land or earth, showing that the message or symbol in the vision is not limited to one place but applies broadly.

Why Zechariah 5:6 matters

• Zechariah 5:6 helps the reader understand that the vision is not just about a literal basket, but a symbol for something common among the people, preparing for the explanation that follows.
• The verse sets up the idea that what is happening in the vision is not isolated, but reflects a condition or issue that affects the entire land, making the message more urgent and far-reaching.
• Recognizing the ephah as a measuring tool hints at themes of judgment, fairness, or the weighing of actions, which are important in the context of Zechariah’s visions about the spiritual state of the people.