Zechariah 5:9 (KJV)

What does Zechariah 5:9 mean?

Zechariah 5:9 describes the prophet Zechariah seeing a vision where two women with wings like those of a stork lift up a basket (an ephah) and carry it through the air, with the wind helping them. This unusual image is part of a series of visions meant to show something being removed or transported away from the land.

In context, Zechariah is speaking about a vision he receives from God, likely meant for the Jewish people who had returned from exile and were rebuilding Jerusalem. The two women, the wind in their wings, and the stork-like appearance all add to the sense of something supernatural or symbolic happening—specifically, the removal of the ephah, which earlier in the chapter is connected to wickedness, away from the land.

The Hebrew behind Zechariah 5:9

• "Wind" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word can mean wind, breath, or spirit. Here, it emphasizes that the movement of the women is powered by something beyond ordinary human ability, suggesting a supernatural or divine action.
• "Wings" (כָּנָף, kanaph): Repeated three times, this word draws attention to the unusual, bird-like nature of the women. The comparison to a stork (חֲסִידָה, chasidah) is striking, since storks were seen as unclean birds in Israel, possibly hinting at the impurity being carried away.
• "Ephah" (אֵיפָה, ephah): This is a unit of measure for dry goods, but in the vision, it represents a container holding wickedness. The focus is not on the measure itself, but on what it contains and its removal.

Why Zechariah 5:9 matters

• Zechariah 5:9 uses vivid, symbolic imagery to show that wickedness is not just being judged, but actively removed from among the people, which would have reassured those hoping for a purified community.
• The mention of women with stork-like wings is unique in the Bible and signals that this is a vision full of symbolism, not a literal event, encouraging readers to look for deeper meaning rather than surface details.
• This verse connects to the larger theme in Zechariah of God intervening to cleanse and restore His people after exile, setting the stage for hope and renewal in Jerusalem.