Zechariah 5:11
And he said vnto mee, To build it an house in the land of Shinar, and it shall be established, and set there vpon her owne base. Zechariah 5:11 (KJV)
Zechariah was a prophet who lived during the post‑exilic period when the Israelites had returned from Babylonian captivity and were rebuilding Jerusalem. The book of Zechariah contains a series of visions that God revealed to him, and chapter 5 presents a striking symbolic vision. In verses 5‑11 the prophet sees a flying scroll that represents a curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth, entering the houses of thieves and false swearers. The scroll therefore signifies God’s judgment upon those who engage in wickedness.
The angel who speaks to Zechariah explains that the scroll itself is the curse destined to sweep across the earth. While the verse text records the command, “To build it an house in the land of Shinar…,” some interpretations note that verse 11 does not further develop the idea of building a house or establishing wickedness in Shinar, focusing instead on the curse’s universal reach. Other readings understand the phrase as indicating that the curse will find its fulfillment in Shinar, the region associated with Babylon, suggesting a settled and enduring presence of evil there.
The vision therefore carries a clear spiritual lesson: God takes sin seriously and there are consequences for wrongdoing. It serves as a warning against participating in sinful practices and embracing wickedness. At the same time, the broader context of Zechariah points forward to the promised Messiah, whose coming brings salvation and deliverance. The ultimate triumph of righteousness over judgment offers hope and redemption for believers, reminding us that Christ redeems us from sin and offers a transformed life.
In summary, Zechariah 5:11 is part of a vision that speaks of a divine curse sweeping the earth, with the phrase about building a house in Shinar either emphasizing the location of judgment or remaining an undeveloped detail. The passage underscores God’s righteousness, the consequences of sin, and the hopeful assurance of Christ’s redemptive work.
