King James Version

What Does Zechariah 5:2 Mean?

Zechariah 5:2 in the King James Version says “And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the ...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 5:2 · KJV

Context

1

Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.

2

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.

3

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

4

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.

Read Zechariah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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—The angel asks what Zechariah sees, reinforcing observation before interpretation. The scroll's dimensions are enormous: 'esrīm bā'ammāh 'orkāh ve'eser bā'ammāh rochbāh (עֶשְׂרִים בָּאַמָּה אָרְכָּהּ וְעֶשֶׂר בָּאַמָּה רָחְבָּהּ, 'twenty by the cubit its length and ten by the cubit its width')—approximately 30 feet by 15 feet, about the size of the Holy Place in the tabernacle (Exodus 26:15-25) and the porch of Solomon's temple (1 Kings 6:3).

The dimensions aren't arbitrary. They link God's written law to His dwelling place—the same proportions where priests ministered and where God's presence manifested. The scroll's temple-sized dimensions declare that the same holy God who dwells among His people also judges covenant violation. You can't separate God's presence from His holiness, His grace from His justice. The flying scroll brings temple-sized holiness into everyday homes (v. 4), measuring secular life by sacred standards. This foreshadows the New Covenant reality where believers become temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), and every aspect of life becomes sacred space accountable to God's law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The specific dimensions would have been immediately recognizable to Jews familiar with tabernacle and temple measurements. The scroll's size makes it unavoidable and undeniable—this isn't private conviction but public proclamation of divine standards. In an era without widespread literacy, a massive flying scroll would capture everyone's attention, symbolizing the universally binding nature of God's law.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do the scroll's temple dimensions matter—what connection exists between worship and accountability?
  2. How does this enormous scroll challenge the idea that God's moral standards are negotiable or private?
  3. In what ways does the New Covenant 'internalize' the flying scroll as law written on hearts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וָאֹמַ֗ר1 of 16

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֔י2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מָ֥ה3 of 16
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אַתָּ֖ה4 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

רֹאֶה֙5 of 16

“I see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וָאֹמַ֗ר6 of 16

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲנִ֤י7 of 16
H589

i

רֹאֶה֙8 of 16

“I see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מְגִלָּ֣ה9 of 16

“roll”

H4039

a roll

עָפָ֔ה10 of 16

“a flying”

H5774

to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)

אָרְכָּהּ֙11 of 16

“the length”

H753

length

עֶשְׂרִ֣ים12 of 16

“thereof is twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

בָּאַמָּֽה׃13 of 16

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

וְרָחְבָּ֖הּ14 of 16

“and the breadth”

H7341

width (literally or figuratively)

עֶ֥שֶׂר15 of 16

“thereof ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

בָּאַמָּֽה׃16 of 16

“cubits”

H520

properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 5:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 5:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 1:11-14Zechariah 4:2Zephaniah 1:14Amos 7:8Genesis 6:11-132 Peter 2:3

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Zechariah 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterZechariah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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