Zechariah 5:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The object is a measuring basket, presented as the likeness of the people throughout the land.
What Does Zechariah 5:6 Mean?
Zechariah asks plainly, 'What is it?' The answer is an ephah, a large basket used to measure grain in the marketplace. The messenger adds that this basket represents the people's likeness, their condition, across the whole land.
A vessel of commerce is a fitting image, for trade was a common arena of dishonest weights and grasping hearts. The ephah pictures a way of life given over to gain at any cost. By calling it their resemblance, the vision holds up a mirror, inviting honest self-examination before God, who sees how a people actually live.
Zechariah 5:6 in the Original Language
ephah (אֵיפָה), 'ephah' -- a standard dry measure for grain, here a large basket.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 5:6
What does Zechariah 5:6 mean?
The object is a measuring basket, presented as the likeness of the people throughout the land.