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SUBJECT: Flying Roll of Zechariah 5
QUESTION: What is the flying roll
ANSWER:
Zechariah 5:1-3
1 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and
behold a flying roll.
2 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.
3 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.
The commentary answers the question:
Zechariah 5:1-2
A flying roll. A roll or scroll is employed in Scripture for
a pronouncement of judgment (cf.
Ezek 2:9-10; Rev 5:1 and 10:2 in context). Before
Israel becomes the light of the world (chapter 4), she must
be judged individually and nationally for sin. 2. The length
thereof. The scroll must have been unrolled in order for its
dimensions and contents to be seen. The fact that it was
flying indicates that its disclosures were soon to be
visited on the wicked. ~from
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary
Here is another:
5:1–2. In this vision the prophet sees a flying
roll (Heb
megilah,
lit., a roll, volume)
… the length thereof is twenty cubits (30 ft.–9
meters), and the breadth thereof ten cubits (15
ft–4.5 meters). While it was common for writing to be done
on such rolls composed of the bark of trees and papyrus, it
is probably best to understand this roll as being made of
animal skins (vellum). The roll is seen to be
flying because it contained news of a judgment that was
swiftly going to be poured out against individuals in the
land. The size of the roll indicates that the indictment is
large and detailed. No small matter is involved.
3–4. The interpretation of the vision is set forth in
these verses. As the roll flies over the land, the land is
brought under the indictment of the curse—a summary
description of the effect of the roll. The effect is
universal, for it goes forth over the face of the whole
earth. Two summary and representative sins are cited:
stealing and swearing falsely. One side of the roll deals
with the stealing, and the other side with false swearing.
These sins are taken as representative of all the sins that
break the Law of God—stealing violates man’s duty toward
man, covered by the second table of the Law; swearing
falsely violates man’s duty toward God, covered by the first
table of the Law. Universally, man has sinned against God;
the indictment is plain for all to see. It is large and
grievous. What will God do with sinners like this? Every
one that stealeth shall be cut off … and every one that
sweareth shall be cut off. The working of the curse
will operate very effectively; for it shall remain in the
midst of his house (lit., spend the night, to remain
permanently and shall consume it with the timber thereof
and the stones thereof. God views sin seriously, and
judgment will come upon the individual that practices it,
whatever its form.
The significance of the vision of the flying roll for the
Israel of Zechariah’s day is to show that those who sin
openly will not hinder God’s work; for God’s judgment is
upon them, and they will not escape. For the Israel of the
future the vision indicates that at the coming of Messiah
God is going to pour out His judgment upon all the world and
will remove every sinner from the land.---KJV
Bible Commentary
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