Zechariah 5:7

And behold, the cover of lead was raised, and there was a woman sitting inside the basket.

Study Bible

And behold, the cover of lead was raised
This phrase introduces a dramatic moment in Zechariah's vision, emphasizing the unveiling of something significant. The use of "behold" signals the importance of what is about to be revealed. The lead cover suggests heaviness and containment, symbolizing the suppression of sin or iniquity. Lead, being a dense and heavy metal, indicates the seriousness of what is being contained. In biblical times, lead was used for various purposes, including weights and seals, which could imply the sealing of judgment or the weight of sin. The act of raising the cover signifies the revelation of hidden sin, aligning with themes of exposure and judgment found throughout prophetic literature.

and there was a woman sitting inside the basket
The woman inside the basket represents wickedness, as clarified in the subsequent verses. In the ancient Near Eastern context, women were sometimes used symbolically to represent cities or personified concepts, such as wisdom or folly. Here, the woman embodies wickedness, possibly alluding to the personification of sin or idolatry. The basket, or ephah, was a common measure for grain, suggesting commerce or trade, which could symbolize the corrupt practices prevalent in society. This imagery connects to other biblical passages where sin is personified or where women symbolize larger entities, such as Babylon in Revelation 17. The vision reflects the theme of divine judgment against sin and the eventual removal of wickedness, resonating with the broader prophetic message of restoration and purification.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Zechariah
A prophet of the post-exilic period, Zechariah was instrumental in encouraging the Jewish people to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem after their return from Babylonian exile. His visions, including the one in Zechariah 5:7, are rich with symbolic meaning.

2. The Woman in the Basket
In Zechariah 5:7, the woman represents wickedness. The vision of the woman in the basket is a symbolic representation of sin being contained and removed from the land.

3. The Basket (Ephah)
The ephah is a unit of measurement, and in this vision, it symbolizes the containment of wickedness. The basket is covered with a lead cover, indicating the suppression and control of sin.

4. The Lead Cover
The lead cover signifies the weight and seriousness of sin. It also represents the divine action of sealing and containing wickedness.

5. The Vision
This vision is part of a series of eight visions given to Zechariah, each conveying messages of judgment, purification, and restoration for Israel.

Teaching Points

The Nature of Sin
Sin is pervasive and must be dealt with decisively. The vision of the woman in the basket illustrates the need for sin to be contained and removed from our lives.

God's Sovereignty Over Sin
Just as the lead cover seals the basket, God's power and authority are sufficient to control and ultimately eradicate sin.

The Call to Holiness
Believers are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, actively seeking to remove sin from their lives and communities.

The Assurance of Divine Justice
The vision assures us that God will not allow wickedness to prevail indefinitely. His justice will ultimately triumph.

Hope for Restoration
The removal of wickedness is a precursor to restoration and blessing, encouraging believers to look forward to God's redemptive work.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the vision of the woman in the basket in Zechariah 5:7 challenge your understanding of sin and its impact on your life?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in the containment and removal of sin in your personal life and community?

3. How does the assurance of God's sovereignty over sin, as depicted in this vision, provide comfort and hope in your spiritual journey?

4. What parallels can you draw between the vision in Zechariah 5:7 and the depiction of Babylon's fall in Revelation 18:2?

5. How can the call to holiness, as seen in this vision, influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 6:5
This verse describes the wickedness of humanity before the flood, connecting to the theme of sin and its containment in Zechariah 5:7.

Revelation 18:2
The fall of Babylon in Revelation parallels the removal of wickedness in Zechariah's vision, symbolizing God's ultimate judgment on sin.

Proverbs 6:16-19
These verses list things the Lord hates, providing a broader understanding of the nature of wickedness represented by the woman in the basket.