King James Version

What Does Zechariah 5:3 Mean?

Zechariah 5:3 in the King James Version says “Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth s...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 5:3 · 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.

5

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.

Read Zechariah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth—The scroll's content revealed: zō't hā'ālāh hayyōtsē't 'al-pənē kol-hā'āretz (זֹאת הָאָלָה הַיּוֹצֵאת עַל־פְּנֵי כָל־הָאָרֶץ, 'this is the curse going forth over the face of all the earth/land'). The term 'ālāh (אָלָה) denotes a covenant curse—the penalties invoked for breaking covenant stipulations (Deuteronomy 27-28). The scroll contains not abstract law but active curses seeking violators.

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—Two representative sins: theft (8th commandment) and false swearing (3rd commandment, taking God's name in vain). The scroll has two sides, each side bearing curses for a category of sin—sins against neighbor (theft) and sins against God (false oaths). Yinnāqeh (יִנָּקֶה, 'shall be cut off/purged') promises purifying judgment. Theft violates property rights and stewardship; false swearing misuses God's name for personal gain. Together they represent all covenant violations—vertical (toward God) and horizontal (toward others). The vision warns that moral laxity will face divine judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-exilic economic hardship tempted theft (Nehemiah 5:1-5), and commercial dealings involved frequent oath-taking where perjury was common (Malachi 3:5). The curse targets sins that undermine community trust and God's honor. The scroll's two-sided curse encompasses the entire law, summarized by loving God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Violation brings 'cutting off'—exclusion from covenant community, possibly physical death, or ultimate separation from God.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do theft and false swearing represent the full range of covenant violations?
  2. How does recognizing God's law as containing active 'curses' change your view of sin's seriousness?
  3. In what ways does Christ bear the covenant curse for us (Galatians 3:13)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 20

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֔י2 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זֹ֚את3 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הָֽאָלָ֔ה4 of 20

“he unto me This is the curse”

H423

an imprecation

הַיּוֹצֵ֖את5 of 20

“that goeth forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

עַל6 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֣י7 of 20

“over the face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כָל8 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֑רֶץ9 of 20

“of the whole earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּ֣י10 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כָל11 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגֹּנֵ֗ב12 of 20

“for every one that stealeth”

H1589

to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive

מִזֶּה֙13 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כָּמ֥וֹהָ14 of 20

“as on that side according”

H3644

as, thus, so

נִקָּֽה׃15 of 20

“shall be cut off”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

וְכָל16 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַ֨נִּשְׁבָּ֔ע17 of 20

“to it and every one that sweareth”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

מִזֶּ֖ה18 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כָּמ֥וֹהָ19 of 20

“as on that side according”

H3644

as, thus, so

נִקָּֽה׃20 of 20

“shall be cut off”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

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 5:3 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 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:15Isaiah 48:1Isaiah 43:28James 5:12Isaiah 24:6Zechariah 5:4

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