Zechariah 5:1–4

5:1–2 “Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold” (cf. comment on 1:18–19). Zechariah sees a “flying scroll.” Scrolls are generally associated with God’s written Word (cf. Ps. 40:7; Jeremiah 36; Ezekiel 2–3). This scroll is extraordinary in its activity and dimensions—it is approximately 33 by 16.5 feet (10 by 5 m), so that as it flies it is clear for all to see, like a huge banner. The dimensions also suggest the scroll is only partially unfurled, perhaps revealing a column of text. Some scholars suggest the dimensions reflect those of the vestibule of the temple or a domestic house, but these connections seem coincidental rather than intentional. God is later identified as the one who sent out this flying scroll (Zech. 5:4), suggesting it does his work without human agents such as priests, who were responsible for teaching God’s ways to the people (e.g., Lev. 10:11; Deut. 33:10; Jer. 18:18; Ezek. 7:26; Hag. 2:11) and for providing rulings at the temple for those who sought justice (e.g., Deut. 17:8–12; 19:17; Mal. 2:6–7).

5:3 Equating the scroll with the “curse” suggests the scroll represents the “Book [scroll] of the Law of Moses” (Josh. 8:31, 34; 23:6; cf. Ex. 24:4, 7; 1 Kings 2:3; Dan. 9:11). While the crimes of stealing and swearing falsely are often understood as representative crimes of the Decalogue, the different vocabulary used for these crimes and the lack of specific curses for disobedience within the Decalogue strongly suggest the scroll contains much more than the Ten Commandments, instead representing the “Law of Moses” more broadly, perhaps as a form of the scroll of Deuteronomy. The “Law of Moses” includes covenant curses for disobedience (e.g., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28–29).

The Hebrew indicates these crimes have thus far gone unpunished (translating “everyone who steals has been acquitted” and “everyone who swears falsely has been acquitted” rather than “shall be cleaned out”). The failure (presumably by the priests) to judge these crimes within the community of God’s people indicates there has been a corruption of justice. These crimes are singled out likely because they were the ones negatively impacting the postexilic community (cf. Zech. 7:8–12; 8:17). God has sent the scroll to put things right and to ensure that the guilty will not be acquitted, an action consistent with his character as the God “who will by no means clear the guilty” (Ex. 34:7; cf. Ex. 20:7).

5:4 In contrast to God’s “house” (the temple), to be built in accordance with the earlier visions (cf. 1:16; 3:7; 4:9), the curse of the scroll will enter and completely destroy the houses of the guilty, “both timber and stones.” This implies the death of the inhabitants of the houses (cf. with the curse on covenant breakers in Deut. 30:15). Normally a house provides refuge, but here it brings destruction.

It is possible also to read God’s action in the past tense: “I have sent it out,” especially since the scroll is already flying in Zechariah’s vision. This gives readers and hearers of Zechariah assurance that God’s justice is coming soon.