What does Zechariah 5:6 mean?
"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." - Zechariah 5:6
Zechariah 5:6 (KJV) states: "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 verse comes from the book of Zechariah, which is one of the twelve Minor Prophets in the Old Testament of the Bible. The book is a collection of prophecies delivered by the prophet Zechariah to the people of Judah, and it is often seen as a prophetic book that speaks to the coming of the Messiah and the restoration of Israel.
In the preceding verses, Zechariah sees a vision of a flying scroll, representing a curse that goes out over the land, entering the house of the thief and the perjurer. This imagery sets the stage for the vision described in Zechariah 5:6, where the prophet sees an "ephah that goeth forth," and it is explained to him as "their resemblance through all the earth."
The ephah was a standard unit of dry measure in the ancient Near East and was used for grain, fruit, and other dry goods. In this context, the ephah represents a measure of wickedness and sin that is pervasive throughout the earth. The "resemblance" of the ephah is likely a reference to the sinful nature of humanity, which is present in every corner of the world.
This verse speaks to the universal nature of sin and the pervasive influence of evil in the world. It suggests that no corner of the earth is immune to the effects of sin, and that all people are in need of redemption and forgiveness. This theme of universal sinfulness is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, and it sets the stage for the message of salvation and redemption that is central to the Christian faith.
In a broader context, the vision in Zechariah 5:6 can be seen as a call to repentance and a reminder of the need for spiritual cleansing. The image of the ephah going forth is a powerful symbol of the spread of sin and corruption, and it serves as a warning to the people of Judah to turn away from their wicked ways and seek forgiveness from God. This message of repentance and the promise of restoration is a common theme in the prophetic books of the Old Testament, and it is echoed in the New Testament message of the coming of Jesus Christ as the savior of the world.
The imagery of the ephah also holds symbolic significance in the context of the biblical narrative. In the book of Exodus, the ephah is mentioned as one of the sacred vessels used in the Tabernacle, which was the dwelling place of God among the Israelites. This connection may suggest that the vision in Zechariah 5:6 is not only a warning of the spread of sin but also a reminder of the holiness of God and the need for purity and righteousness in His presence.
In summary, Zechariah 5:6 is a vision that speaks to the universal nature of sin, the need for repentance and spiritual cleansing, and the promise of redemption and restoration. It serves as a powerful reminder of the pervasive influence of evil in the world and the call to turn to God for forgiveness and salvation. As with many prophetic passages in the Bible, it points toward the ultimate hope of the coming of Jesus Christ as the solution to the universal problem of sin.
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Zechariah 5:6 - "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."
"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." - Zechariah 5:6
Zechariah 6:5 - "And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth."
Zechariah 1:1-6
Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)
Zechariah 3:6 - "And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,"
Zechariah 6:9 - "¶ And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,"
Zechariah 1:5 - "Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?"
Zechariah 6:14 - "And the crowns shall be to Helem, and to Tobijah, and to Jedaiah, and to Hen the son of Zephaniah, for a memorial in the temple of the LORD."
Zechariah 8:5 - "And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof."
Zechariah 5:7 - "And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah."
Zechariah 5:10 - "Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah?"
Zechariah 5:5 - "¶ 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."
Zechariah 6:2 - "In the first chariot were red horses; and in the second chariot black horses;"
Zechariah 14:6 - "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark:"
Zechariah 6:3 - "And in the third chariot white horses; and in the fourth chariot grisled and bay horses."
Zechariah 9:6 - "And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines."
Zechariah 6:4 - "Then I answered and said unto the angel that talked with me, What are these, my lord?"
Zechariah 5:1 - "Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll."
"And the angel answered and said unto me, These are the four spirits of the heavens, which go forth from standing before the Lord of all the earth." - Zechariah 6:5
Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
Zechariah 3: 6 Then the Angel of the LORD admonished Joshua, saying,
Zechariah 6:6 - "The black horses which are therein go forth into the north country; and the white go forth after them; and the grisled go forth toward the south country."
1 Chronicles 5:7 - "And his brethren by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was reckoned, were the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,"
Zechariah 2:5 - "For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."
Zechariah 12:5 - "And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God."
Zechariah 6:11 - "Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest;"
Zechariah 7:6 - "And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves?"
Zechariah 5:8 - "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."
Zechariah 4:5 - "Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord."