Bible Strands
Zechariah 5:7
And behold, the cover of lead was raised, and there was a woman sitting inside the basket.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Zechariah observes a vision while an attendant lifts the lid of a measuring basket being carried forth to represent iniquity. The angelic figure reveals the basket's contents to the prophet at the moment the vessel departs the sanctuary.
The words — The Hebrew kiKKar (כִּכַּר) denotes a round cover or disk, and ‘oFeret (עֹפֶרֶת) identifies the metal lead. The text explicitly records the lifting of this heavy lid to expose the figure within.
The thread — The vision of a contained figure representing moral corruption appears in Revelation 17:1, Ezekiel 23:1, and Jeremiah 3:1. These passages similarly use symbolic vessels or personified figures to track systemic rebellion.
Why it lands — The text states that sin is gathered, weighed, and sealed before judgment occurs. It requires the reader to acknowledge that moral failure is quantifiable and will not escape divine accounting.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
Cross-references
- Revelation 17:1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
- Ezekiel 23:1 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
- Jeremiah 3:1 “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.
- Isaiah 13:1 This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:
- Isaiah 15:1 This is the burden against Moab: Ar in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! Kir in Moab is devastated, destroyed in a night!
- Isaiah 22:11 You built a reservoir between the walls for the waters of the ancient pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or consider Him who planned it long ago.
- Ezekiel 16:1 Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
- Hosea 1:1 This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.