Zechariah 5:8
And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁלֵ֛ךְ
And he cast
H7993
וַיַּשְׁלֵ֛ךְ
And he cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
4 of 14
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
אֹתָ֖הּ
H853
אֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תּ֣וֹךְ
it into the midst
H8432
תּ֣וֹךְ
it into the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
7 of 14
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
הָֽאֵיפָ֑ה
of the ephah
H374
הָֽאֵיפָ֑ה
of the ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
8 of 14
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
וַיַּשְׁלֵ֛ךְ
And he cast
H7993
וַיַּשְׁלֵ֛ךְ
And he cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
9 of 14
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The prophet dramatically demonstrates that God won't allow wickedness to remain among His restored people. The forcible sealing represents divine intolerance of the idolatry that caused the Babylonian exile in the first place. The vision assures that this time, after return from exile, God will ensure sin doesn't再次 lead to judgment by removing it entirely from the land.
Questions for Reflection
- Why must wickedness be forcibly cast down and sealed rather than gently reformed?
- What does sealing wickedness's 'mouth' teach about stopping sin's deceptive voice?
- How does the church today need to 'cast down' and seal enthroned wickedness in its midst?
Analysis & Commentary
And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof—The angel identifies the woman: zō't hārishā'h (זֹאת הָרִשְׁעָה, 'this is wickedness/the wicked one'). Not a specific person but wickedness personified—rishā'h (רִשְׁעָה) encompasses all forms of evil, particularly covenant-breaking rebellion against God. The angel's action is decisive: vayyashleḵ 'ōtāh (וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אֹתָהּ, 'and he threw her/it') back into the basket with force, then vayyashlēḵ et-'even hā'ōpheret el-pīhā (וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אֶת־אֶבֶן הָעֹפֶרֶת אֶל־פִּיהָ, 'and he cast the stone of lead upon its mouth'), sealing wickedness inside.
The forcible containment shows that wickedness doesn't leave willingly—it must be violently suppressed and removed. Casting the lead lid 'upon its mouth' silences wickedness's voice, stopping its seductive lies and economic promises. The vision teaches that purifying God's people requires aggressive action against entrenched sin. Grace doesn't mean tolerating wickedness but decisively removing it. This anticipates Christ's temple cleansing (John 2:15-16) and Paul's command to 'purge out the old leaven' (1 Corinthians 5:7). The sealed ephah prepares for its deportation to Shinar/Babylon (vv. 10-11), symbolizing sin's return to its source.