Zechariah 5 5

Zechariah 5:5 kjv

Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.

Zechariah 5:5 nkjv

Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, "Lift your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth."

Zechariah 5:5 niv

Then the angel who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, "Look up and see what is appearing."

Zechariah 5:5 esv

Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, "Lift your eyes and see what this is that is going out."

Zechariah 5:5 nlt

Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, "Look up and see what's coming."

Zechariah 5 verses

Zechariah 5 5 Meaning

The verse serves as an urgent command from the interpreting angel to the prophet Zechariah, redirecting his attention to observe a new, significant element in the sequence of divine revelations. It specifically points to the initial manifestation of an object or force that is actively "going forth" from its current location, an action that will soon be revealed as the movement of corporate wickedness destined for removal. This call to actively perceive sets the stage for the crucial vision of the Ephah and the expelling of iniquity.

Zechariah 5 5 Context

Zechariah 5:5 marks a pivotal moment in the series of Zechariah's night visions. Following visions that reassured the returned exiles of God's restoration, temple rebuilding, and protection, this verse transitions to a focus on the essential spiritual purification of the community and the land itself. Historically, the returned exiles in 520 BC faced the challenge of living righteously in the land despite their spiritual and material struggles. While physical reconstruction of the temple was underway, Zechariah emphasizes that true restoration requires moral cleansing. The verse initiates the "Ephah Vision" (Zech 5:5-11), which visually depicts the divine removal of systemic "wickedness" (Hebrew: rish'ah) from the land of Judah. This vision contrasts with the earlier themes of hope and rebuilding by directly confronting the lingering sin and unrighteousness within the post-exilic community.

Zechariah 5 5 Word analysis

• Then the angel who talked with me (וַיֵּצֵ֤א הַמַּלְאָךְ֙ הַדֹּבֵ֣ר בִּ֔י - vayyetse hamal’akh haddover bi):
  • "Then": Indicates a chronological progression, linking this new event or communication to the preceding visions.
  • "the angel" (הַמַּלְאָךְ֙ - hamal’akh): The definite article points to the specific interpreting angel, a familiar figure from Zechariah's previous visions (Zech 1:9, 13; 2:3; 4:1). The Hebrew mal’akh primarily means "messenger" and is used for human messengers as well as divine ones. In Zechariah, he serves as God's divine interpreter, ensuring the prophet comprehends the intricate symbolic visions.
  • "who talked with me" (הַדֹּבֵ֣ר בִּ֔י - haddover bi): Emphasizes the personal and ongoing nature of the divine communication. Zechariah is not passively observing but actively engaging in a dialogue, receiving explanation and guidance. This underscores God's personal revelation to His chosen servants.
• went forward (וַיֵּצֵא֙ - vayyetse’):
  • Derived from the verb yatsa', meaning "to go out," "to come forth," or "to proceed." In this context, it suggests the angel made a physical movement within the visionary scene, stepping into a prominent position to draw the prophet's attention to something new about to "go forth." This signals a shift in focus and the beginning of a new revelation. It conveys immediacy and a purposeful action.
• and said to me (וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלַ֔י - vayyomer elay):
  • Marks the initiation of direct speech. The angel is now ready to issue a command or explain what Zechariah is to see. This pattern of visual revelation followed by verbal interpretation is characteristic of prophetic literature, particularly in Zechariah.
• Lift your eyes now (שָׂ֣א נָ֤א עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ - sa na einekha):
  • "Lift" (שָׂ֣א - sa): An imperative verb, "raise!" It commands Zechariah to actively redirect his gaze upwards or to a specific focal point, not merely glance. It signifies a shift in mental and visual focus towards something significant that demands close observation.
  • "now" (נָ֤א - na): An emphatic particle often translated as "please" or "now." It adds urgency and directness to the command, implying immediate action is required.
  • "your eyes" (עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ - einekha): Reinforces the visual nature of the impending revelation and the prophet's role as an active witness.
• and see (וּרְאֵ֖ה - ure’eh):
  • Another imperative verb, "and see!" This reinforces the command to observe. It's a call not just to look, but to truly perceive and comprehend the ensuing vision. It implies intentional contemplation of what is revealed.
• what this is that goes forth (מַה־זֹּאת֙ הַיּוֹצֵֽאת - mah-zot hayyo-tse’t):
  • "what this is" (מַה־זֹּאת֙ - mah-zot): A question that creates immediate suspense, inviting the prophet to identify and understand the new phenomenon.
  • "that goes forth" (הַיּוֹצֵֽאת - hayyo-tse’t): A feminine singular present participle of yatsa', meaning "the one going forth" or "that which is coming out." It highlights the active and ongoing emergence of the mysterious object. This phrase immediately sets the context for the appearance of the ephah (Zech 5:6) and foreshadows its movement. It is crucial for understanding the dynamic nature of wickedness in the land, not static but actively operating, and now, actively being addressed.
• "Then the angel who talked with me went forward": This phrase highlights the divine initiative and ongoing active role of the interpreting angel. His "going forward" signifies a new stage or subject in the revelations, an advancement towards a new scene of judgment and purification, following the previous themes of restoration. It suggests the angel is preparing the prophet for something that will soon be brought into full view.
• "Lift your eyes now and see": This urgent dual imperative ("lift," "see") is a classic prophetic command to active observation and spiritual perception. It stresses the necessity for Zechariah, and by extension the entire nation, to be fully attentive to the profound truth God is about to reveal, rather than remaining in spiritual complacency. It implies a demand for deliberate focus on the spiritual realities unfolding before them.
• "what this is that goes forth": This rhetorical question, coupled with the descriptive "that goes forth," generates anticipation for the symbolic object to be revealed. The active participle "goes forth" is crucial; it does not merely refer to something existing but to something that is emerging or in motion. This motion implies the public display or revelation of wickedness within the community before its decisive removal. It hints at both the visibility of sin and its inevitable judgment and expulsion.

Zechariah 5 5 Bonus section

The command to "lift your eyes" in prophetic visions often carries the implication of needing a renewed or a fresh perspective. In Zechariah's sequence of visions, this recurring directive (Zech 1:9, 2:1, 5:1, 6:1) suggests a dynamic, unfolding revelation that requires continuous engagement and shifts in focus from the prophet. Each time Zechariah "lifts his eyes," he is brought to a new aspect of God's overarching plan for restoration and purification. The precise grammatical form of "goes forth" (hayyo-tse't), being a feminine participle, already subtly prepares the audience for the coming revelation of the ephah, which is also a feminine noun in Hebrew ('ephah), linking the general "that which is going forth" to its specific, concrete symbolic form. This linguistic precision ensures a seamless and clear transition from suspense to specific identification of the object of divine judgment. This verse underlines the active agency of God in confronting and removing the systemic iniquity that hinders the full blessing and establishment of His kingdom. It demonstrates that true revival is not merely about physical rebuilding but about internal spiritual purity enforced by divine decree.

Zechariah 5 5 Commentary

Zechariah 5:5 serves as the angelic prompt for the fifth night vision, setting a new spiritual trajectory in Zechariah's prophetic experience. The interpreting angel, a recurring guide, emphatically directs the prophet's gaze and mind towards a new object that is in the process of "going forth." This command for active, focused observation—"Lift your eyes now and see"—is vital, as it prepares Zechariah to grasp the significant and challenging revelation that follows. The phrase "what this is that goes forth" skillfully builds suspense, foreshadowing the symbolic Ephah representing active corporate wickedness within the land, a wickedness that is not static but pervasive and soon to be openly displayed for divine judgment and removal. This verse highlights God's systematic and thorough approach to purifying His people, moving beyond restoration to address inherent moral decay.

Examples:

• God often requires us to actively seek and focus on spiritual understanding, just as Zechariah was commanded to "lift his eyes and see."
• The angel's "going forward" implies God is moving forward with His plans for cleansing and judgment; believers should recognize when God reveals such actions.
• The anticipation created by "what this is that goes forth" reminds us that God progressively reveals truth about sin and its ultimate removal.