Zechariah 5:7 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 5:7 mean?

Zechariah 5:7 describes a vision in which a heavy lead cover is lifted, revealing a woman sitting inside a measuring basket called an ephah. The verse presents a symbolic scene, with the woman and the ephah representing something hidden that is now being exposed.

In this passage, the prophet Zechariah is describing what he sees in a vision given by God. The ephah was a standard measure for grain, and here it is used as a container. The woman sitting inside the ephah is part of a symbolic message, and the lead (a very heavy metal) lid suggests something being tightly sealed or contained until the right moment. This vision is part of a series of symbolic images meant to communicate spiritual truths to the people of Israel after their return from exile.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 5:7

• "Talent" (כִּכָּר, kikkar): This word refers to a large weight, here made of lead. The use of a "talent" emphasizes the heaviness and seriousness of what is being covered or contained.
• "Lead" (עוֹפֶרֶת, ‘opheret): Lead is a dense, heavy metal. Its presence as a lid suggests that what is inside the ephah is meant to be securely kept in or hidden until revealed.
• "Woman" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): The woman in the ephah is a symbolic figure. In the context of Zechariah’s visions, she is often understood as representing wickedness or iniquity, though the verse itself simply identifies her as a woman.
• "Ephah" (אֵיפָה, ephah): An ephah is a standard measure for dry goods, but here it is used as a container. Its use in the vision adds to the sense of measuring or containing something significant.

Why Zechariah 5:7 matters

• Zechariah 5:7 helps clarify that the vision is not about ordinary events but about something hidden and weighty being revealed, using strong visual symbols familiar to the original audience.
• The detail of the heavy lead lid highlights the seriousness and the deliberate containment of the woman, which is important for understanding the message that follows in the vision.
• This verse connects to the broader theme in Zechariah of God exposing and dealing with sin among His people, setting the stage for the rest of the vision’s explanation.