King James Version

What Does Zechariah 5:4 Mean?

Zechariah 5:4 in the King James Version says “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 hi...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 5:4 · KJV

Context

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.

6

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.

Read Zechariah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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—God personally dispatches the curse: hōtsē'tīhā (הוֹצֵאתִיהָ, 'I will bring it forth/send it out'), emphasizing divine initiative in judgment. The curse isn't passive consequence but active prosecution. Ūbā'āh el-bēyt hagannāb ve'el-bēyt hannishbā' bishmi lashshāqer (וּבָאָה אֶל־בֵּית הַגַּנָּב וְאֶל־בֵּית הַנִּשְׁבָּע בִּשְׁמִי לַשָּׁקֶר, 'and it shall enter the house of the thief and the house of the one swearing by my name falsely')—the scroll invades private dwellings, penetrating where human courts can't reach.

And it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof—Total destruction: velāntāh betōkh bēytō vekillattū ve'et-'ētsa יו ve'et-'avānāyw (וְלָנְתָה בְתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ וְכִלַּתּוּ וְאֶת־עֵצָיו וְאֶת־אֲבָנָיו, 'and it shall lodge in the midst of his house and consume it, both timber and stones'). The scroll doesn't merely condemn but demolishes—burning wood and stones, obliterating even structural elements. Fire consumes wood, but destroying stones requires supernatural judgment. This pictures complete ruin: ill-gotten wealth won't endure; lying oaths won't protect property. The vision warns covenant-breakers that prosperity built on sin will collapse. This foreshadows final judgment when 'the elements shall melt with fervent heat' (2 Peter 3:10).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, one's house represented legacy, family name, and accumulated wealth. God promises to destroy the covenant-breaker's inheritance root and branch. This echoes Achan's judgment—his theft brought corporate curse and personal annihilation (Joshua 7). The vision assures that though thieves and liars may prosper temporarily, divine justice will catch up, destroying even the stones of their houses.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the curse 'entering the house' show that sin's judgment extends to our private domains?
  2. What does destruction of 'timber and stones' teach about the permanence of wealth gained through sin?
  3. How does Christ shelter us from the 'flying scroll' curse that should consume our house?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
הוֹצֵאתִ֗יהָ1 of 21

“I will bring it forth”

H3318

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

נְאֻם֙2 of 21

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֣ה3 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת4 of 21

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וּבָ֙אָה֙5 of 21

“and it shall enter”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל6 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּית֔וֹ7 of 21

“and into the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַגַּנָּ֔ב8 of 21

“of the thief”

H1590

a stealer

וְאֶל9 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּית֔וֹ10 of 21

“and into the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַנִּשְׁבָּ֥ע11 of 21

“of him that sweareth”

H7650

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

בִּשְׁמִ֖י12 of 21

“by my name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לַשָּׁ֑קֶר13 of 21

“falsely”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

וְלָ֙נֶה֙14 of 21

“and it shall remain”

H3885

to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)

בְּת֣וֹךְ15 of 21

“in the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

בֵּית֔וֹ16 of 21

“and into the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְכִלַּ֖תּוּ17 of 21

“and shall consume”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

וְאֶת18 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

עֵצָ֥יו19 of 21

“it with the timber”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וְאֶת20 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

אֲבָנָֽיו׃21 of 21

“thereof and the stones”

H68

a stone

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 5:4 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 5:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:9-11Proverbs 3:33Malachi 3:5Leviticus 14:34-45Job 18:15Deuteronomy 7:26

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Zechariah 5 with CommentaryAll Zechariah ChaptersComplete Zechariah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes