Zechariah 5:2

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֹמַ֗ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֵלַ֔י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
מָ֥ה
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#4
אַתָּ֖ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#5
רֹאֶה֙
I see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#6
וָאֹמַ֗ר
And he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
אֲנִ֤י
i
#8
רֹאֶה֙
I see
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#9
מְגִלָּ֣ה
roll
a roll
#10
עָפָ֔ה
a flying
to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning)
#11
אָרְכָּהּ֙
the length
length
#12
עֶשְׂרִ֣ים
thereof is twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#13
בָּאַמָּֽה׃
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#14
וְרָחְבָּ֖הּ
and the breadth
width (literally or figuratively)
#15
עֶ֥שֶׂר
thereof ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#16
בָּאַמָּֽה׃
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection