What is the meaning of Zechariah 5:3? Then he told me “Then he told me” (Zechariah 5:3) reminds us that the interpreting angel is still guiding Zechariah, just as he did in Zechariah 1:9 and Daniel 8:16. • God never leaves His people guessing; He sends clarity through His messengers and through His Word (Psalm 119:105). • The conversation underscores that revelation is personal—God speaks, and we respond (John 10:27). This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land The angel continues, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land” (Zechariah 5:3). • “Curse” points back to the covenant warnings in Deuteronomy 27–28 and Leviticus 26. When Israel breaks God’s law, judgment travels everywhere the law was meant to bless (Malachi 4:6). • “Over the face of all the land” shows the scope: no hidden corner escapes (Jeremiah 25:29). Sin is never private; its effects spread (Joshua 7:1–12). • The curse “going out” pictures God’s Word actively hunting down disobedience, just as Isaiah 55:11 promises His word will “accomplish that for which I sent it.” According to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed The angel explains, “according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed” (Zechariah 5:3). • Stealing violates the eighth commandment (Exodus 20:15; Deuteronomy 5:19) and attacks neighborly trust (Ephesians 4:28). • The scroll flying through the sky in the earlier verses (Zechariah 5:1–2) shows that God’s moral standard is public and inescapable (Proverbs 15:3). • “Removed” echoes passages where evildoers are cut off so the community can live (Psalm 37:9; Proverbs 2:22). • By naming “every thief,” the Lord stresses impartiality—no status, excuse, or skill at concealment will shield the guilty (Proverbs 10:2). According to the other side, every perjurer will be removed The verse ends, “and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed” (Zechariah 5:3). • False swearing breaks the third commandment against taking God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12). • Perjury attacks the justice system God established (Deuteronomy 19:16–20) and destroys community confidence (Proverbs 25:18). • The Lord pledges to “bring [the curse] into the house” of the liar (Zechariah 5:4), just as Revelation 21:27 promises no one who practices falsehood will enter the New Jerusalem. • Together, theft (sin against neighbor) and perjury (sin against God and neighbor) represent both tablets of the Law, showing total covenant breach (Matthew 22:37–40). summary Zechariah 5:3 presents a flying scroll that declares God’s covenant curse. The angel explains: God Himself is sending judgment across the whole land. One side of the scroll targets thieves; the other targets perjurers. No one who violates God’s moral law will avoid exposure or removal. The vision affirms the inerrant, active power of Scripture to reveal sin and execute justice while pointing us to the only refuge—repentance and faith in the Lord who fulfills the Law perfectly. |
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