Zechariah – Chapter 5

Old Testament11 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 5 of Zechariah begins: "And I turned and lifted up my eyes: and I saw, and behold a volume flying." Across its 11 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and God feeding His people. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And I turned and lifted up my eyes: and I saw, and behold a volume flying.

2And he said to me: What seest thou? And I said: I see a volume flying: the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

3And he said to me: This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the earth: for every thief shall be judged as is there written: and every one that sweareth in like manner shall be judged by it.

4I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts: and it shall come to the house of the thief, and to the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it, with the timber thereof, and the stones thereof.

5And the angel went forth that spoke in me, and he said to me: Lift up thy eyes, and see what this is, that goeth forth.

6And I said: What is it? And he said: This is a vessel going forth. And he said: This is their eye in all the earth.

7And behold a talent of lead was carried, and behold a woman sitting in the midst of the vessel.

8And he said: This is wickedness. And he cast her into the midst of the vessel, and cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.

9And I lifted up my eyes and looked: and behold there came out two women, and wind was in their wings, and they had wings like the wings of a kite: and they lifted up the vessel between the earth and the heaven.

10And I said to the angel that spoke in me: Whither do these carry the vessel?

11And he said to me: That a house may be built for it in the land of Sennaar, and that it may be established, and set there upon its own basis.

Important Verses in Zechariah 5

And I turned and lifted up my eyes: and I saw, and behold a volume flying.

Zechariah 5:1

I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts: and it shall come to the house of the thief, and to the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it, with the timber thereof, and the stones thereof.

Zechariah 5:4

And I lifted up my eyes and looked: and behold there came out two women, and wind was in their wings, and they had wings like the wings of a kite: and they lifted up the vessel between the earth and the heaven.

Zechariah 5:9

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Zechariah was written with the post-exilic community, and all who would recognize the Messiah's coming in view. Chapter 5 of 14 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 11 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "And I turned and lifted up my eyes: and I saw, and behold a volume flying." It concludes: "And he said to me: That a house may be built for it in the land of Sennaar, and that it may be established, and set…" Read against its original backdrop, A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the Temple's rebuilding through eight night visions, then looked far beyond it: a king coming 'humble and riding on a donkey' (9:9), the shepherd sold for thirty pieces of… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah

When It Was Written

Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter presents teaching, action, or revelation within the broader account of messianic visions and the coming king. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And I turned and lifted up my eyes: and I saw, and behold a volume flying." The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of messianic visions and the coming king. Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 721).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Behold, your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Zechariah 5 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

Reflection for Today

The central section of Zechariah—Chapter 5 of 14—opens a particular moment in the story of messianic visions and the coming king.

According to Catholic teaching, Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). This chapter especially highlights Mary and the communion of saints, a theme the Catechism develops in relation to the whole of revelation (CIC 355).

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 618) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 5 about?

Zechariah 5 contains 11 verses. It opens with "And I turned and lifted up my eyes: and I saw, and behold a volume flying." and closes with "And he said to me: That a house may be built for it in the land of Sennaar, and that it may be established, and set…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And I turned and lifted up my eyes: and I saw, and behold a volume flying." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Zechariah and when?

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

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