Zechariah 5:11

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.

Zechariah 5:11 (KJV)

Context

Zechariah prophesied after the Israelites returned from Babylonian captivity and were rebuilding Jerusalem. In chapter 5, God gave him a series of symbolic visions. Verses 5–11 describe a woman named “Wickedness” sealed inside an ephah, a large measuring basket. The angel explains that a house will be built for this basket in the land of Shinar, where it will be established and set upon its own base.

Meaning

Shinar is identified with Babylon (Genesis 10:10), the place where the Jews were carried into captivity. The bearing of the ephah to Shinar signifies the removal of wickedness from the land of Israel to its proper place of judgment. The house built for it in Babylon represents the permanent dwelling of wickedness in a place of exile, indicating that God will fully and finally deal with sin. The verse emphasizes that wickedness will be established in its own place, not among God’s people, and that God’s judgment is thorough and complete.

Biblical connections

The vision assures believers that God is sovereign over evil, and that He will remove iniquity from His people and confine it to its rightful domain. The imagery of the ephah and its base underscores the certainty and stability of God’s judgment. The broader context of Zechariah points forward to the promised Messiah, whose coming brings salvation and deliverance.

Application

This passage 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 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.

Reflection

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 emphasizing the location of judgment. The passage underscores God’s righteousness, the consequences of sin, and the hopeful assurance of Christ’s redemptive work.