A FLYING ROLL] Rolls were of skin or parchment, on which all writing was inscribed. The document was rolled up much in the same way as a wall-map is rolled now. This roll was evidently unfolded, flying like a bird of prey, and seemed of enormous size (Zechariah 5:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIXTH AND SEVENTH VISIONS 1-4. A flying roll inscribed with curses comes down upon the earth. The previous visions had promised many blessings to the people; and the sixth and seventh teach that wickedness will be removed from the land; for if evil still remained, the blessings would be worthle... [ Continue Reading ]
HE] the attendant angel who is God's immediate messenger to Zechariah. TWENTY CUBITS] over 30 ft.... [ Continue Reading ]
EARTH] RV 'land,' i.e. Palestine. FOR EVERY ONE THAT STEALETH, etc.] better, perhaps, 'for every thief shall be swept away from hence.' But the expressions are difficult. The exact meaning of the phrase 'on the one side according to it.. on the other side according to it' (RV) is most obscure. LXX r... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL REMAIN] RV 'shall abide,' but better, 'shall roost,' The idea is still of this roll as a huge bird of prey, descending upon the home of the evildoer and utterly consuming it. Zechariah's aim is still to encourage his desponding countrymen. Never again will the nation, as a whole, suffer for si... [ Continue Reading ]
EPHAH] the greatest measure among the Jews, a round vessel holding about 7 gals. This vision describes the fulfilment of the promise given in Zechariah 3:9. RESEMBLANCE] A very slight change of one Heb. letter gives the reading, 'This is their transgression in all the land.' This makes much better s... [ Continue Reading ]
A TALENT OF LEAD] lit. 'a circle or round piece of lead,' the heavy lid of the ephah. The later use of the word is 'talent,' a Jewish weight somewhat over 1 cwt. When the lid was lifted, the woman was disclosed in the ephah.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST IT INTO] RV, 'cast her down into.' The woman, typifying the sin of the nation, is thrust down into the ephah and covered with the lid.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WIND _was_ IN THEIR WINGS] bore them along like long-winged birds ('storks') on a windy day.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHINAR] i.e. Babylonia: see Genesis 10:10; Genesis 11:2; Isaiah 11:11. Here regarded as the counterpart of Zion and the proper home of all that is evil, especially of sins such as fraud and false swearing. The vision is remarkable. God not only forgives the sins of His people, but carries them altog... [ Continue Reading ]