Zechariah 5:3
New International Version
And he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished.

New Living Translation
Then he said to me, “This scroll contains the curse that is going out over the entire land. One side of the scroll says that those who steal will be banished from the land; the other side says that those who swear falsely will be banished from the land.

English Standard Version
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side.

Berean Standard Bible
Then he told me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed; and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed.

King James Bible
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

New King James Version
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according to this side of the scroll; and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according to that side of it.”

New American Standard Bible
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the entire land; everyone who steals certainly will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.

NASB 1995
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.

NASB 1977
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going forth over the face of the whole land; surely everyone who steals will be purged away according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears will be purged away according to the writing on the other side.

Amplified Bible
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of the whole land; for everyone who steals will be cut off according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears [oaths falsely] shall be cut off according to the writing on the other side.

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land, for everyone who is a thief, contrary to what is written on one side, has gone unpunished, and everyone who swears falsely, contrary to what is written on the other side, has gone unpunished.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land, for every thief will be removed according to what is written on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be removed according to what is written on the other side.

American Standard Version
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole land: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off on the one side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off on the other side according to it.

Contemporary English Version
Then he told me: This scroll puts a curse on everyone in the land who steals or tells lies. The writing on one side tells about the destruction of those who steal, while the writing on the other side tells about the destruction of those who lie.

English Revised Version
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole land: for every one that stealeth shall be purged out on the one side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be purged out on the other side according to it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he said to me, "This is a curse that will go out all over the earth. The one side of the scroll says that every thief will be forced away. The other side of the scroll says that everyone who takes an oath will be forced away.

Good News Translation
Then he said to me, "On it is written the curse that is to go out over the whole land. On one side of the scroll it says that every thief will be removed from the land; and on the other side it says that everyone who tells lies under oath will also be taken away.

International Standard Version
He responded to me, "This is the curse that is going out over the surface of the whole earth, because, according to this side of the scroll, all thieves will be ejected, and according to the other side of the scroll, all liars will be ejected."

Majority Standard Bible
Then he told me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed; and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed.

NET Bible
The speaker went on to say, "This is a curse traveling across the whole earth. For example, according to the curse whoever steals will be removed from the community; or on the other hand (according to the curse) whoever swears falsely will suffer the same fate."

New Heart English Bible
Then he said to me, "This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land; for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to it on the one side; and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on the other side.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said he to me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

World English Bible
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land, for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to it on the one side; and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on the other side.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to me, “This [is] the execration that is going forth over the face of all the land, for everyone who is stealing, on the one side, according to it, has been declared innocent, and everyone who has sworn, on the other side, according to it, has been declared innocent.”

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto me, 'This is the execration that is going forth over the face of all the land, for every one who is stealing, on the one side, according to it, hath been declared innocent, and every one who hath sworn, on the other side, according to it, hath been declared innocent.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to me, This the curse going forth upon the face of all the earth: for every one stealing from thence was empty like it; and every one swearing from this was empty like it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to me: This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the earth: for every thief shall be judged as is there written: and every one that sweareth in like manner shall be judged by it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to me, “This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth. For every thief will be judged, just as it has been written there, and everyone who swears by this, will be judged in like manner.”

New American Bible
Then he said to me: “This is the curse which is to go forth over the whole land. According to it, every thief and every perjurer will be expelled.

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land; for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to the writing on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to the writing on the other side.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he said to me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth; for every one who steals shall be judged according to its contents; and every one who swears shall be judged according to it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to me: “This is a curse that goes out over the face of all the Earth, because everyone who steals from it, according to it he will be overcome, and everyone who swears by it, according to it he is overcome
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said he unto me: 'This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole land; for every one that stealeth shall be swept away on the one side like it; and every one that sweareth shall be swept away on the other side like it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every thief shall be punished with death on this side, and every false swearer shall be punished on that side.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Vision of the Flying Scroll
2“What do you see?” asked the angel. “I see a flying scroll,” I replied, “twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.” 3Then he told me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed; and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed. 4I will send it out, declares the LORD of Hosts, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by My name. It will remain inside his house and destroy it, down to its timbers and stones.”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 27:15-26
‘Cursed is the man who makes a carved idol or molten image—an abomination to the LORD, the work of the hands of a craftsman—and sets it up in secret.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ / ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ / ‘Cursed is he who moves his neighbor’s boundary stone.’ And let all the people say, ‘Amen!’ ...

Jeremiah 23:10
For the land is full of adulterers—because of the curse, the land mourns and the pastures of the wilderness have dried up—their course is evil and their power is misused.

Malachi 3:5
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Ezekiel 2:9-10
Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, / which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.

Isaiah 24:6
Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive.

Hosea 4:1-2
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Matthew 13:41-42
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. / And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

James 5:1-4
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

Romans 1:29-32
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. ...

1 Timothy 1:9-10
We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

Revelation 9:20-21
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. / Furthermore, they did not repent of their murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said he to me, This is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that steals shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that swears shall be cut off as on that side according to it.

the curse.

Deuteronomy 11:28,29
And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known…

Deuteronomy 27:15-26
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen…

Deuteronomy 28:15-68
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: …

the face.

Luke 21:35
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

every one, etc.

Exodus 20:15
Thou shalt not steal.

Proverbs 29:24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

Proverbs 30:9
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

sweareth.

Zechariah 5:4
I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Zechariah 8:17
And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.

Leviticus 19:12
And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Jump to Previous
Curse Cut Earth Face Falsely Forth Goes Henceforth Purged Side Stealeth Steals Surely Surface Swears Swept Whole Writing
Jump to Next
Curse Cut Earth Face Falsely Forth Goes Henceforth Purged Side Stealeth Steals Surely Surface Swears Swept Whole Writing
Zechariah 5
1. By the flying scroll is shown the curse of thieves and swearers;
5. and by a woman pressed in an ephah the final judgment of wickedness.














Then he said to me
This phrase indicates a direct communication from a divine messenger to the prophet Zechariah. The Hebrew root for "said" is אָמַר (amar), which is often used in the Old Testament to denote a solemn declaration or command from God. This highlights the authority and seriousness of the message being conveyed. In the context of Zechariah's visions, it underscores the role of the prophet as a recipient of divine revelation, tasked with conveying God's will to the people.

This is the curse
The term "curse" in Hebrew is אָלָה (alah), which refers to a solemn oath or a divine pronouncement of judgment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, curses were often inscribed on tablets or scrolls and served as a warning of the consequences of disobedience. This particular curse is a divine judgment against sin, emphasizing the holiness of God and His intolerance of sin within His covenant community.

that is going out
The phrase suggests movement and action, indicating that the curse is not static but actively being executed. The Hebrew verb יָצָא (yatsa) means "to go out" or "to come forth," implying that the curse is being sent forth by God to accomplish His purposes. This reflects the biblical theme of God's word being active and effective, as seen in Isaiah 55:11, where God's word does not return void but accomplishes what He desires.

over the face of all the land
The "land" here refers to the entire territory of Israel, symbolizing the comprehensive nature of the judgment. The Hebrew word אֶרֶץ (eretz) can mean "land," "earth," or "country," and in this context, it underscores the widespread impact of the curse. This phrase serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the need for national repentance and restoration.

for everyone who steals
Stealing is explicitly mentioned as a sin that incurs the curse. The Hebrew word for "steals" is גָּנַב (ganab), which encompasses theft and deceit. This highlights the moral and ethical standards expected of God's people, reflecting the commandments given in the Torah, particularly the eighth commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15).

will be cut off
The phrase "cut off" is derived from the Hebrew כָּרַת (karat), which means to sever or destroy. In biblical terms, being "cut off" often implies divine judgment leading to death or exclusion from the community. This severe consequence underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of maintaining covenant faithfulness.

according to what is written on one side
This refers to the written nature of the curse, reminiscent of legal documents or covenants. The Hebrew word כָּתוּב (kathub) means "written," emphasizing the permanence and authority of God's decrees. The imagery of writing on a scroll or tablet suggests the binding nature of God's law and the certainty of its fulfillment.

and everyone who swears falsely
Swearing falsely, or perjury, is another sin highlighted in this verse. The Hebrew word שָׁבַע (shava) means "to swear" or "to take an oath," and when done falsely, it violates the third commandment, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7). This underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in the covenant community.

will be cut off according to what is written on the other side
The repetition of "cut off" reinforces the certainty and severity of the judgment for those who violate God's commandments. The mention of "the other side" suggests a comprehensive legal document, with both sides of the scroll containing divine decrees. This dual-sided writing symbolizes the completeness of God's law and the inescapable nature of His justice.

Verse 3. - This is the curse. The roll contained the curse written upon it on both sides. (For the curse of fled upon guilty nations, comp. Isaiah 24:6; Daniel 9:11.) Earth; land; for Judaea is meant. The curse was ready to fall on all who might come under it by their transgressions. This would be a warning also to exterior nations. Every one that stealeth...every one that sweareth. Thieves and perjurers are especially mentioned as incurring the curse. Perjury is a chief offence in one table of the Law, theft in the other; so these sins may stand for all offences against the Decalogue (comp. James 2:10, etc.). But probably they are named because they were particularly rife among the returned Jews. Daring their long sojourn in Babylon they had engaged in commercial pursuits and had fallen into the lax morality which such occupations often engender. These bad habits they had brought with them and practised in their new home (comp. ch. 8:17, and note there). Shall be out off as on this side according to it; Revised Version, shall be purged out on the one side (margin, from hence) according to it; Ewald, "driven hence like it." The reference is to the two sides of the roll, answering to the two tables of the Decalogue. Sinners shall be i.e. utterly consumed, cleansed away, i.e. according to the tenor of the roll. The Vulgate has judicabitur; the LXX., ἕως θανάτου ἐκδικηθήσεται "shall be punished unto death." That sweareth; i.e. falsely, as is plain from ver. 4; Septuagint, πᾶς ὁ ἐπίορκος, "every perjurer."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then he told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

me,
אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“This
זֹ֚את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

is the curse
הָֽאָלָ֔ה (hā·’ā·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 423: An imprecation

that is going out
הַיּוֹצֵ֖את (hay·yō·w·ṣêṯ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the face
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of all
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the land,
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

according [to]
כָּמ֣וֹהָ (kā·mō·w·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

one [side] of [the scroll],
מִזֶּה֙ (miz·zeh)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

every
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

thief
הַגֹּנֵ֗ב (hag·gō·nêḇ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive

will be removed;
נִקָּ֔ה (niq·qāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5352: To be, clean, to be bare, extirpated

and according to
כָּמ֥וֹהָ (kā·mō·w·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3644: Like, as, when

the other side,
מִזֶּ֖ה (miz·zeh)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

everyone
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who swears falsely
הַנִּ֨שְׁבָּ֔ע (han·niš·bā‘)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

will be removed.
נִקָּֽה׃ (niq·qāh)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5352: To be, clean, to be bare, extirpated


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OT Prophets: Zechariah 5:3 Then he said to me This (Zech. Zec Zc)
Zechariah 5:2
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