King James Version

What Does Zechariah 5:9 Mean?

Zechariah 5:9 in the King James Version says “Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Zechariah 5:9 · KJV

Context

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.

10

Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?

11

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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Commentary

KJV Study 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—Zechariah observes two women (shetayim nāshīm, שְׁתַּיִם נָשִׁים) emerging with rūach biḵnaphēyhem (רוּחַ בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם, 'wind/spirit in their wings'). They possess kenaphayim kaḵnaphē hachasīdāh (כְּנָפַיִם כַּכְנָפֵי הַחֲסִידָה, 'wings like the wings of the stork')—the stork being a large, strong migratory bird capable of long-distance flight, though ritually unclean (Leviticus 11:19; Deuteronomy 14:18).

And they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven—The two winged women seize the wickedness-filled basket and vattissē'nāh et-hā'ēphāh bēyn hā'āretz ūvēyn hashshāmayim (וַתִּשֶּׂאנָה אֶת־הָאֵיפָה בֵּין הָאָרֶץ וּבֵין הַשָּׁמָיִם, 'and they lifted the ephah between the earth and the heaven'). Suspended between earth and sky suggests transportation, removal from one realm to another. The women function as agents executing God's judgment—removing wickedness from Judah and transporting it elsewhere. Their unclean nature (stork wings) suits handling unclean cargo (wickedness). The 'wind in their wings' may be divine enabling or demonic energy—either way, they accomplish God's purposes of purging His land.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery of flying women carrying wickedness away symbolizes the complete removal of idolatrous materialism from post-exilic Judah. God promises not mere suppression but exile of wickedness itself—reversing the pattern where Israel went into exile because of sin. Now sin goes into exile so Israel can remain pure. The two women may represent divine judgment executed through various means, or angelic/demonic forces enlisted to accomplish God's purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God use 'unclean' agents (stork-winged women) to remove unclean wickedness?
  2. What does suspension 'between earth and heaven' during wickedness's transport symbolize?
  3. How does this vision of sin's exile reverse the pattern of God's people going into exile for sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַתִּשֶּׂ֙אנָה֙1 of 20

“Then lifted I up”

H5375

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

עֵינַ֜י2 of 20

“mine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וָאֵ֗רֶא3 of 20

“and looked”

H7200

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

וְהִנֵּה֩4 of 20
H2009

lo!

שְׁתַּ֨יִם5 of 20

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

נָשִׁ֤ים6 of 20

“women”

H802

a woman

יֽוֹצְאוֹת֙7 of 20

“and behold there came out”

H3318

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

וְר֣וּחַ8 of 20

“and the wind”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

כְּכַנְפֵ֣י9 of 20

“like the wings”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

וְלָהֵ֥נָּה10 of 20

“for they had”

H2007

themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)

כְּכַנְפֵ֣י11 of 20

“like the wings”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

כְּכַנְפֵ֣י12 of 20

“like the wings”

H3671

an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna

הַחֲסִידָ֑ה13 of 20

“of a stork”

H2624

the kind (maternal) bird, i.e., a stork

וַתִּשֶּׂ֙אנָה֙14 of 20

“Then lifted I up”

H5375

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

אֶת15 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָ֣אֵיפָ֔ה16 of 20

“the ephah”

H374

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

בֵּ֥ין17 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הָאָ֖רֶץ18 of 20

“between the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּבֵ֥ין19 of 20
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃20 of 20

“and the heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

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 5:9 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 5:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:49Daniel 9:26-27Hosea 8:1Leviticus 11:19Matthew 24:28

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