Zechariah 5:5
Then the Angell that talked with me, went forth and said vnto me, Lift vp now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth. Zechariah 5:5 (KJV)
Zechariah was a prophet who lived during the post‑exilic period in Israel. He played a significant role in encouraging the people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and to renew their commitment to God. The book of Zechariah contains a series of visions that the prophet received from the Lord, each conveying important messages and insights for the community.
In Zechariah 5:5 the prophet describes an encounter with an angel who was communicating with him. The angel commands Zechariah to “Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth,” calling the prophet to focus his attention on a new element of the vision. Some renderings of the same moment phrase the command as “Prophesy again, O thou son of man,” emphasizing the prophetic response expected of Zechariah.
This verse follows the description of the flying scroll in Zechariah 5:1‑4. That scroll is said to be twenty cubits long (about thirty feet) and ten cubits wide (about fifteen feet). It symbolizes God’s judgment and the curse that will come upon thieves and those who swear falsely by God’s name, serving as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God’s commandments.
The instruction to “lift up thine eyes” signifies the angel’s call for Zechariah to be attentive and perceptive to the message God is conveying. Although the verse does not detail what Zechariah sees next, the subsequent passages describe a woman sitting in an ephah, a large basket. The woman represents wickedness, and her placement in the ephah signifies the containment and control of evil.
Thus Zechariah 5:5 functions as a transitional verse, directing the prophet’s—and the reader’s—attention to the next phase of the vision. It underscores the need for awareness and understanding in discerning the revelations God imparts. Overall, the passage encourages believers to be watchful, observant, and discerning so that they may comprehend and respond faithfully to God’s word and instructions.
