1.
Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
looked = This is the sixth vision. See the Structure on p. 1281.
roll = scroll. Hence our word "volume". Compare Ezekiel 2:9 - Zec 3:11 .
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.
cubits. See App-51 .
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.
the curse. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 ).
goeth forth . Compare Zechariah 5:5-6 . Hebrew. yaza = to go forth on business, or on an errand. Same word as in Zechariah 14:2 , Zechariah 14:3 , Zechariah 14:8 , &c. (not Zechariah 14:16 , Zechariah 14:18 ).
earth : or, land.
stealeth. sweareth , &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:12 ). App-92 .
shall be cut off = hath been let off, or declared innocent; as in Numbers 5:31 .Psalms 19:12 , Psalms 19:13 .Jeremiah 2:35 , or goeth unpunished; as in Jeremiah 49:12 . This is always the sense of Heb, nakah. Render the passage: "for ' every one that stealeth hath been let off [is written] on the one side, according to it (the curse or scroll); and 'every one that sweareth (falsely) hath been let off [is written] on the other side, according to it. Therefore have I brought it (the curse or scroll) forth'.
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.
I will bring = I have brought.
saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah of hosts. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .
enter into = lodge, or abide in.
My name . Emphatic for "Me Myself". See note on Psalms 20:1 .
remain = lodge, or roost.
shall consume it = shall destroy it, or bring it to an end. Hebrew. kadah. Not the same word as in Zec 5:14 , Zec 5:12 . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 13:45 ). App-92 .
timber = timbers (plural)
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.
angel , See note on Zechariah 1:9 .
see. This is the seventh vision. See the Structure on p. 1281.
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.
This. Hebrew. zoth . Feminine. Singular.
ephah. See App-51 .,
resemblance = aspect. Heb eye. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for their Look: i.e. appearance, or colour, as in Leviticus 13:55 .Numbers 11:7 . Ezekiel 10:9 . Compare Ez ek Zechariah 1:4 , Zechariah 1:7 , Zechariah 1:16 , Zec 1:27 . Daniel 10:6 , &c. Septuagint and Syriac read "iniquity" ( App-44 .) i.e. (Vau = v) instead of (Yod = y).
7.
And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
behold = lo. Figure of speech Asterismos . App-6 .
talent. See App-51 . Hebrew. kikkar, a round disk, evidently fitting the ephah like a lid.
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.
wickedness = the lawless [one]. Hebrew. rasha', App-44 . Adjective, feminine, singular = the embodiment of the principle of lawlessness. The religions aspect of 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 .Revelation 17 .
it : i.e. the talent, which had been "lifted up "for the prophet to see, and then cast back "into" the ephah.
weight = stone; i.e. weight. This was "upon" the ephah, and is to be distinguished from the "talent", which was within.
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.
two women . Perhaps denoting two nations.
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .
like the wings of a stork. Evidently a symbol of velocity rather than of character.
stork. An unclean bird, fond of its young, and a bird of passage.
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.
it = for her. Hebrew Feminine. Singular.
the land of Shinar = Babylonia. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:10 ; Genesis 11:2 ; Genesis 14:1 , Genesis 14:9 ). App-92 . Outside the Pentateuch only in Joshua 7:21 .Isaiah 11:11 .Daniel 1:2 .
it shall be established = it (i.e. the house, Hebrew, masculine singular) shall be ready (or prepared). Revised Version = when it is prepared.
set there = fixed, or settled. Septuagint, and Syriac, rend "they (i.e. the two women) shall settle her there".
base = fixed resting-place. The interpretation must refer to what is yet future. It cannot refer to the going into captivity; for the People had just returned, and Zechariah had been raised up for their comfort and encouragement. When the time comes, it will be marked by commerce (ephah), false religion (the woman), speedy accomplishment (the wings of a stork), and a spirit in their wings. This will be preparatory to the final judgment of Revelation 18 .