Zechariah 5:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The divine oath will undoubtedly eradicate the thieves along with those who routinely make false oaths, striking down the brazen blasphemers as if with a sickle; it will expose the borders of their homes, consigning them to flames, and will enter the house of the husband, wreaking havoc and destruction upon him.

We must consider why this particular vision is linked with others as essential. Some of the righteous may question, given the multitude of sinners alive at that time and the accusations faced by the Israelites, why the punishment symbolized by the sickle is directed solely at thieves and perjurers, or why an oath is employed that separates and utterly destroys the guilty. In response, we observe that God, who eternally wishes for the good of His listeners, conveyed through the holy prophets what was beneficial for all times. Therefore, it was crucial for those living in that era to grasp this specific vision.

Let us elucidate the reasons behind this, highlighting the most pertinent. After departing from the land of the Chaldeans and gaining freedom from bondage, the Israelites returned to Judea, arriving at Jerusalem with the expectation that they would renounce their former sins and adopt a righteous way of life, thus reconciling their past wrongs and pleasing the Deliverer through obedience to His will. However, they continued to brazenly disregard the law as they had before. Despite Moses’ admonition against intermarrying with foreign women, they broke this command and took wives from the surrounding nations, resulting in the birth of children from these unions and mingling with wicked tribes. Some among them, notably those of high rank, committed such transgressions. Ezra mourned over these actions, coming to the house of God to pray for the wrongdoers. We learn of the events that followed from his writings, which recount: "And when Ezra was confessing, weeping and casting himself down on the ground before the temple, a large crowd gathered to him from Jerusalem, consisting of men, women, and young men, for there was much weeping among the people. And Jechoniah, Jehiel of the children of Israel, said unto Ezra, 'We have sinned against the Lord our God and taken foreign wives from the peoples of the land, and all of Israel has mingled with them. So let us take an oath before the Lord to put away all our foreign wives, along with their children, as has been commanded by you and those who obey the law. Arise and act, for this matter pertains to you, and we are with you; be strong and take action.' And Ezra arose and swore by the ancestors of the priests and Levites of all Israel to do as was advised" (1 Ezra 10:1-5).

Thus, it became essential for those who vowed to uphold the law to be warned of the curse that awaits habitual perjurers—an incentive to honor their commitments. During the construction of God's holy temple, there was a considerable influx of funds, partly from Darius and partly from the people, and some appointed to manage these resources were inclined to misappropriate offerings intended for divine honor. Therefore, it was aptly stated that the curse rests upon the thieves, urging them to refrain from illicit profits and to respect the sacred funds, avoiding personal use. This is the rationale behind the vision: those who regularly steal and bear false witness must tremble at the impending curse and sickle. God will certainly enact His judgments, sparing neither thieves nor other offenders; for He continually detests those who disregard His divine majesty and insatiably covet what is not theirs.

The combined measurements of the scroll, totaling thirty cubits, alongside the seventy years of desolation experienced by the Jewish land, serves as a profound symbol of the sin committed by the Jews when they betrayed the innocent for thirty pieces of silver, as well as the lasting desolation that fell upon Jerusalem in line with Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:27). "And he said, for every thief, from this point to death, shall face retribution." This means that he will be justly condemned.

Furthermore, as I gazed upon the vision, I saw a flying sickle. This sickle symbolizes the curse that ascends upon all the land. The penalty for theft will result in death, and those who falsely swear will suffer severe consequences. The Lord Almighty states that He will expel them from their homes and lay waste to their properties.

Turning to a different vision, the prophet observes the transition from joyful sights to sorrow. He is shown a flying scroll, also referred to as a megilla in Hebrew, which in the translations of Aquila and Theodotion is termed διφθέρα, meaning a writing surface made from leather, while Symmachus describes it as κεφαλίς, indicative of a chapter. The expression in the Psalm, “In the head of the book it is written of me” (Psalms 39:8), or the LXX's use of “a sickle in flight” (δρέπανον πετόμενον) underscores this imagery. It contrasts with previous visions of temple establishment and the arrival of the Lord Savior (2 Cor. 12:7); it suggests that reflections on divine blessings can lead to a diminishment of pride by emphasizing potential misfortunes.

The scroll details the sins of all, ensuring that everyone receives recompense according to their deeds, as stated in Daniel: “Thrones are set up, and books are opened” (Dan. 7:10). The term sickle, as used by the LXX, resonates with the Book of Revelation, where an angel instructs, "Throw down your sharp sickle and harvest the vine” (Rev. 14:18). While Deuteronomy contrasts the sickle with arrows and swords, declaring, “I will make my arrows drunk with blood” (Deut. 32:42), it reflects that God did not spare the rebellious angels who caused discord in heaven, as conveyed through Isaiah: “My sword is drunk in heaven” (Isaiah 34:5). Ultimately, all sinful nations are destined for destruction by the sword—not merely the physical sword but the spiritual one that strikes the unrepentant. As the Psalmist warns, “If you do not turn, He will sharpen His sword” (Psalm 7:13-14).

Additionally, Jeremiah laments, “O sword of the Lord, how long will you be relentless? Return to your sheath” (Jeremiah 47:6). This sword symbolizes more than a sickle used for harvesting; it also represents the axe that targets unfruitful trees. John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold, the axe is laid at the root of the trees: every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and cast into the fire” (Matthew 3:10).

That scroll detailing everyone’s transgressions, or the sickle harvesting offenses, is directed towards the vineyard of Sodom, described as “Your enemies are mad; their vineyard is from the vineyard of Sodom” (Deut. 32:31-33). With its dimensions of twenty cubits in length and ten in breadth, this sickle symbolizes the union of joy and sorrow. The number twenty, a combination of two tens, signifies severity and affliction, while the ten indicates the potential for prosperity. Therefore, through trials and tribulations, the people of Israel receive instruction.

Those who deem swearing and stealing as trivial offenses will be reminded that the curse represented by the scroll and sickle will descend upon those who engage in these actions, resulting in destruction of their properties. If such seemingly minor sins carry grave consequences, it raises the question of the fate of those caught in fornication, adultery, murder, sacrilege, and other sins outlined by the Apostle among the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

It has been suggested that the lengths of twenty cubits and ten cubits may also denote the age of the Lord Savior, specifically recognizing the significance of thirty years, as the Father entrusts all judgment to the Son, who will preside over the world’s judgment (John 5:21).

22:40) on the command to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27), it follows that under false oaths and transgressions, various sins are intertwined. The violation of an oath represents the pinnacle of wrongdoing, devoid of any love for God, while transgression constitutes an offense against one’s neighbor. A true lover of their neighbor would never consent to cause them harm. Consequently, all other commandments are encompassed within these foundational teachings, and God rightly warns violators of these principles with just retribution.