Zechariah 5:9
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Zechariah 5:9
9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
Chapter Context
Zechariah 5 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of hope, holiness, obedience. Written during the early post-exilic period (c. 520-480 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Persian support for temple rebuilding came with continued imperial control.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-11: Development of key themes
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Zechariah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Zechariah 5:9
9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
Analysis
Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork—Zechariah observes two women (shetayim nāshīm, שְׁתַּיִם נָשִׁים) emerging with rūach biḵnaphēyhem (רוּחַ בְּכַנְפֵיהֶם, 'wind/spirit in their wings'). They possess kenaphayim kaḵnaphē hachasīdāh (כְּנָפַיִם כַּכְנָפֵי הַחֲסִידָה, 'wings like the wings of the stork')—the stork being a large, strong migratory bird capable of long-distance flight, though ritually unclean (Leviticus 11:19; Deuteronomy 14:18).
And they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven—The two winged women seize the wickedness-filled basket and vattissē'nāh et-hā'ēphāh bēyn hā'āretz ūvēyn hashshāmayim (וַתִּשֶּׂאנָה אֶת־הָאֵיפָה בֵּין הָאָרֶץ וּבֵין הַשָּׁמָיִם, 'and they lifted the ephah between the earth and the heaven'). Suspended between earth and sky suggests transportation, removal from one realm to another. The women function as agents executing God's judgment—removing wickedness from Judah and transporting it elsewhere. Their unclean nature (stork wings) suits handling unclean cargo (wickedness). The 'wind in their wings' may be divine enabling or demonic energy—either way, they accomplish God's purposes of purging His land.
Historical Context
The imagery of flying women carrying wickedness away symbolizes the complete removal of idolatrous materialism from post-exilic Judah. God promises not mere suppression but exile of wickedness itself—reversing the pattern where Israel went into exile because of sin. Now sin goes into exile so Israel can remain pure. The two women may represent divine judgment executed through various means, or angelic/demonic forces enlisted to accomplish God's purposes.
Reflection
- Why does God use 'unclean' agents (stork-winged women) to remove unclean wickedness?
- What does suspension 'between earth and heaven' during wickedness's transport symbolize?
- How does this vision of sin's exile reverse the pattern of God's people going into exile for sin?
Word Studies
- Heaven: שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim) H8064 - Heaven, sky
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 28:49, Hosea 8:1