King James Version
Zechariah 5
11 verses with commentary
The Vision of the Flying Scroll
Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll</strong>—Zechariah's fifth vision depicts a <em>megillāh 'āphāh</em> (מְגִלָּה עָפָה, 'flying scroll'). The <em>megillāh</em> is a rolled parchment manuscript, and <em>'āphāh</em> (participle of <em>'ūph</em>, עוּף, 'to fly') indicates autonomous movement—this scroll flies of its own accord through the air, symbol...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. the king of the south ... moved with choler--**at so great losses, Syria having been wrested from him, and his own kingdom imperilled, though otherwise an indolent man, to which his disasters were owing, as also to the odium of his subjects against him for having murdered his father, mother, and brother, whence in irony they called him Philopater, "father-lover."
**he shall set forth a gre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approaching desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15)
**Verses 1-7** The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. And as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israe...
Read full commentary →And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits</strong>—The angel asks what Zechariah sees, reinforcing observation before interpretation. The scroll's dimensions are enormous: <em>'esrīm bā'ammāh 'orkāh ve'eser bā'ammāh rochbāh</em> (עֶשְׂרִים בָּאַמָּה אָרְכָּהּ וְעֶשֶׂר בָּאַמָּה רָחְבָּה...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. when he hath taken away--**that is, subdued "the multitude" of Antiochus.
**heart ... lifted up--**instead of following up his victory by making himself master of the whole of Syria, as he might, he made peace with Antiochus, and gave himself up to licentiousness [Polybius, 87; Justin, 30.4], and profaned the temple of God by entering the holy place [Grotius].
**not be strengthened by it...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approaching desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15)
**Verses 1-7** The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. And as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israe...
Read full commentary →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. every one that stealeth: or, every one of this people that stealeth holdeth himself guiltless, as it doth
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth</strong>—The scroll's content revealed: <em>zō't hā'ālāh hayyōtsē't 'al-pənē kol-hā'āretz</em> (זֹאת הָאָלָה הַיּוֹצֵאת עַל־פְּנֵי כָל־הָאָרֶץ, 'this is the curse going forth over the face of all the earth/land'). The term <em>'ālāh</em> (אָלָה) denotes a covenant curse—the penalties invoked for break...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. return--**renew the war.
**after certain years--**fourteen years after his defeat at Raphia. Antiochus, after successful campaigns against Persia and India, made war with Ptolemy Epiphanes, son of Philopater, a mere child.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approaching desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15)
**Verses 1-7** The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. And as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israe...
Read full commentary →I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name</strong>—God personally dispatches the curse: <em>hōtsē'tīhā</em> (הוֹצֵאתִיהָ, 'I will bring it forth/send it out'), emphasizing divine initiative in judgment. The curse isn't passive consequence but active prosecution. <em>Ūbā'āh el-bē...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. many stand up against the king of the south--**Philip, king of Macedon, and rebels in Egypt itself, combined with Antiochus against Ptolemy.
**robbers of thy people--**that is, factious men of the Jews shall exalt themselves, so as to revolt from Ptolemy, and join themselves to Antiochus; the Jews helped Antiochus' army with provisions, when on his return from Egypt he besieged the Egyptia...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approaching desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15)
**Verses 1-7** The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. And as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israe...
Read full commentary →The Vision of the Woman in the Basket
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth</strong>—Transition to the sixth vision (vv. 5-11). The angel directs Zechariah's attention: <em>sā'-nā' 'ēyneḵā ūre'ēh mah hayyōtsē't hazzō't</em> (שָׂא־נָא עֵינֶיךָ וּרְאֵה מָה הַיּוֹצֵאת הַזֹּאת, 'lift up now your eyes and see what is this going forth'). The phr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. king of ... north--**Antiochus the Great.
**take ... fenced cities--**Scopas, the Egyptian general, met Antiochus at Paneas, near the sources of the Jordan, and was defeated, and fled to Sidon, a strongly "fenced city," where he was forced to surrender.
**chosen people--**Egypt's choicest army was sent under Eropus, Menocles, and Damoxenus, to deliver Scopas, but in vain [Jerome].
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approaching desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15)
**Verses 1-7** The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. And as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israe...
Read full commentary →And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth</strong>—Zechariah sees an <em>'ēphāh</em> (אֵיפָה), a large measuring basket used for grain and dry goods, holding about 22 liters (5.8 gallons). The ephah was the standard commercial measure, used in honest trade—or dishonest fraud (Deuteronomy 25:14-15; Amos 8:5; Micah 6:10-11). The angel explains: <em>zō't hā'ēphāh ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. he that cometh against him--**Antiochus coming against Ptolemy Epiphanes.
**glorious land--**Judea (Da 11:41, 45; Da 8:9; Eze 20:6, 15).
**by his hand shall be consumed--**literally, "perfected," that is, completely brought under his sway. Josephus [Antiquities, 12:3.3] shows that the meaning is not, that the Jews should be utterly consumed: for Antiochus favored them for taking his part...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approaching desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15)
**Verses 1-7** The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. And as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israe...
Read full commentary →And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. talent: or, weighty piece
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah</strong>—The vision intensifies. A <em>kikkar 'ōpheret</em> (כִּכַּר עֹפֶרֶת, 'talent of lead'), weighing about 75 pounds, serves as a heavy lid covering the ephah basket. When lifted, a woman (<em>'ishshāh</em>, אִשָּׁה) sits inside—<em>yōshevet betōkh hā'ēphāh</em> (יוֹשֶׁבֶת בְּ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. set his face--**purpose steadfastly. Antiochus purpose was, however, turned from open assault to wile, by his war with the Romans in his endeavor to extend his kingdom to the limits it had under Seleucus Nicator.
**upright one--**Jasher, or Jeshurun (De 32:15; Is 44:2); the epithet applied by the Hebrews to their nation. It is here used not in praise; for in Da 11:14 (see on Da 11:14) they...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
The Divine judgments against Israel. (Hos. 5:1-7) Approaching desolations threatened. (Hos. 5:8-15)
**Verses 1-7** The piercing eye of God saw secret liking and disposition to sin, the love the house of Israel had to their sins, and the dominion their sins had over them. Pride makes men obstinate in other sins. And as Judah was treading in the same steps, they would fall with Israe...
Read full commentary →And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof</strong>—The angel identifies the woman: <em>zō't hārishā'h</em> (זֹאת הָרִשְׁעָה, 'this is wickedness/the wicked one'). Not a specific person but wickedness personified—<em>rishā'h</em> (רִשְׁעָה) encompasses all forms of evil, particularly covenant-breaking r...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18. isles--**He "took many" of the isles in the Ægean in his war with the Romans, and crossed the Hellespont.
**prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach ... to cease--**Lucius Scipio Asiaticus, the Roman general, by routing Antiochus at Magnesia (190 B.C.), caused the reproach which he offered Rome by inflicting injuries on Rome's allies, to cease. He did it for his own glory.
**wi...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-15** The destruction of impenitent sinners is not mere talk, to frighten them, it is a sentence which will not be recalled. And it is a mercy that we have timely warning given us, that we may flee from the wrath to come. Compliance with the commandments of men, who thwart the commandments of God, ripens a people for ruin. The judgments of God are sometimes to a sinful people as a moth, ...
Read full commentary →Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork</strong>—Zechariah observes two women (<em>shetayim nāshīm</em>, שְׁתַּיִם נָשִׁים) emerging with <em>rūach biḵnaphēyhem</em> (רוּחַ בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם, 'wind/spirit in their wings'). They possess <em>kenaphayim kaḵnaphē hachasīdāh</em> (כְ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. Then he shall turn ... toward ... his own land--**Compelled by Rome to relinquish all his territory west of the Taurus, and defray the expenses of the war, he garrisoned the cities left to him.
**stumble ... not be found--**Attempting to plunder the temple of Jupiter at Elymais by night, whether through avarice, or the want of money to pay the tribute imposed by Rome (a thousand talents), ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-15** The destruction of impenitent sinners is not mere talk, to frighten them, it is a sentence which will not be recalled. And it is a mercy that we have timely warning given us, that we may flee from the wrath to come. Compliance with the commandments of men, who thwart the commandments of God, ripens a people for ruin. The judgments of God are sometimes to a sinful people as a moth, ...
Read full commentary →Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?</strong>—Zechariah asks about the destination: <em>'ānāh hēmmāh mōlīkōt et-hā'ēphāh</em> (אָנָה הֵמָּה מֹלִיכוֹת אֶת־הָאֵיפָה, 'where are they taking the ephah?'). The prophet wants to understand not just that wickedness is removed but WHERE it goes. The question demonstrates proper curiosity about God's redempt...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**20. in his estate--**in Antiochus' stead: his successor, Seleucus Philopater, his son.
**in the glory of the kingdom--**that is, inheriting it by hereditary right. Maurer translates, "one who shall cause the tax gatherer (Heliodorus) to pass through the glory of the kingdom," that is, Judea, "the glorious land" (Da 11:16, 41; Da 8:9). Simon, a Benjamite, in spite against Onias III, the high pr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-15** The destruction of impenitent sinners is not mere talk, to frighten them, it is a sentence which will not be recalled. And it is a mercy that we have timely warning given us, that we may flee from the wrath to come. Compliance with the commandments of men, who thwart the commandments of God, ripens a people for ruin. The judgments of God are sometimes to a sinful people as a moth, ...
Read full commentary →And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base</strong>—The angel reveals wickedness's destination: <em>'eretz shin'ār</em> (אֶרֶץ שִׁנְעָר, 'land of Shinar'), the ancient name for Babylon (Genesis 10:10; 11:2; Daniel 1:2). The phrase <em>livnōt-lāh bayit</em> (לִבְנוֹת־לָהּ בַיִת, 'to build for it a house') ind...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**21. vile--**Antiochus called Epiphanes, that is, "the illustrious," for vindicating the claims of the royal line against Heliodorus, was nicknamed, by a play of sounds, Epimanes, that is, "the madman," for his mad freaks beneath the dignity of a king. He would carouse with the lowest of the people, bathe with them in the public baths, and foolishly jest and throw stones at passers-by [Polybius, ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-15** The destruction of impenitent sinners is not mere talk, to frighten them, it is a sentence which will not be recalled. And it is a mercy that we have timely warning given us, that we may flee from the wrath to come. Compliance with the commandments of men, who thwart the commandments of God, ripens a people for ruin. The judgments of God are sometimes to a sinful people as a moth, ...
Read full commentary →