King James Version

What Does Zechariah 5:7 Mean?

Zechariah 5:7 in the King James Version says “And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. talent: o...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zechariah 5:7 · KJV

Context

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.

7

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

8

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.

9

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah—The vision intensifies. A kikkar 'ōpheret (כִּכַּר עֹפֶרֶת, 'talent of lead'), weighing about 75 pounds, serves as a heavy lid covering the ephah basket. When lifted, a woman ('ishshāh, אִשָּׁה) sits inside—yōshevet betōkh hā'ēphāh (יוֹשֶׁבֶת בְּתוֹךְ הָאֵיפָה, 'sitting in the midst of the ephah'). Symbolic imagery: the woman personifies wickedness itself, compressed and contained within the commercial basket that represents Israel's idolatrous materialism.

The lead lid symbolizes divine restraint—wickedness is real and present but God limits its expression until the appointed time of judgment. The woman 'sitting' suggests enthroned wickedness, settled and established within the ephah of economic idolatry. This previews Revelation 17-18's 'woman' Babylon representing corrupt commercial-religious systems. Zechariah's woman embodies the principle that mammon-worship personifies as a seductive but deadly spiritual force. The talent of lead also suggests the crushing weight of sin and the heavy hand required to suppress evil's outbreak.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In post-exilic Judah, economic corruption and materialism had become so entrenched that it functioned like an idol—a false god demanding allegiance. The woman in the basket represents this systemic wickedness that required forcible removal from the land. God wouldn't merely rebuke materialism but would physically banish it, as the following verses show. The vision prepares for wickedness's exile to Babylon (vv. 10-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does wickedness 'sit enthroned' in materialistic systems, becoming personified and worshiped?
  2. What does the heavy lead lid teach about God's restraint of evil until judgment day?
  3. Where do you see the 'woman in the ephah'—enthroned wickedness in economic systems—today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְהִנֵּ֛ה1 of 10
H2009

lo!

כִּכַּ֥ר2 of 10

“a talent”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

עֹפֶ֖רֶת3 of 10

“of lead”

H5777

lead (from its dusty color)

נִשֵּׂ֑את4 of 10

“And behold there was lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וְזֹאת֙5 of 10
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אִשָּׁ֣ה6 of 10

“woman”

H802

a woman

אַחַ֔ת7 of 10

“and this is a”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

יוֹשֶׁ֖בֶת8 of 10

“that sitteth”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּת֥וֹךְ9 of 10

“in the midst”

H8432

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

הָאֵיפָֽה׃10 of 10

“of the ephah”

H374

an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general

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 5:7 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 5:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 17:1-18Ezekiel 23:1-49Jeremiah 3:1-2Isaiah 13:1Isaiah 22:11Isaiah 15:1

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