Zechariah 5:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, the vision likens the kingdoms of Israel to two women who have the wings of a hoopoe, symbolizing the deep moral corruption and sinful inclinations of their souls; for the hoopoe is a humble bird known for its affinity for filth and refuses to stray far from decay, indicative of idolaters' mindset. They do not follow the righteous path but seek after wickedness, remaining unaware of divine commandments, filled with defilement, and consuming all manner of evil. Hence, the vision depicts these women with the wings of the hoopoe to illustrate their like-minded aspirations. However, they carry a measure filled with wrongdoing, for each soul is inevitably weighed down by its own burden of sin. Given that the offenses of both Samaria and Jerusalem share similarities and are related, they are equally laden with misdeeds and swiftly carried away into foreign lands, specifically into Babylon, as their spirits were propelled by their wings. When the unclean spirit lured them into sin and weighed them down with guilt, they were taken captive, falling under the power of their foes. Yet, as the blessed angel stated, the measure was "taken to build her a temple in the land of Babylon," indicating the prolonged suffering of the Israelites among their enemies. Their iniquity set the foundation for a dwelling among their captors, which came to pass, for they were not freed from bondage until the completion of seventy years.

The angel responds, ‘Establish a temple for her in the land of Babylon.’ This signifies that the wickedness and idolatry of the Jewish people, despite being driven out by the apostles and prophets, will persist until the arrival of the Antichrist, who will rule over Babylon.

The interpretation by the Hebrews regarding the two women is understood to signify the kingdoms of the Medes and the Macedonians, both of which subdued the Babylonians, establishing their own throne through wickedness. The Hebrews cleverly articulate this so that any mention of them cannot directly apply to their own circumstances. The two women who emerged, certainly from Judah, represent the ten tribes; the first taken captive by the Assyrians, the latter by the Chaldeans. The spirit within their wings symbolizes the power of the evil one, concerning whom it is written in Ecclesiastes: "If the spirit of him that hath power ascends upon thee, abandon not thy post" (Ecclesiastes 10:4). The Gospel recounts the unclean spirit, who, after being expelled from his dwelling, roams through parched land and eventually returns to his previous home with seven more demonic spirits more malevolent than himself (Luke 11:24-26).

Thus, the women seized by this spirit were swiftly carried, as if by a wind, equipped with wings. The Hebrew term asida (חסידה), rendered by Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion as herodio (heron), is translated by the Septuagint as hoopoe. The term asida signifies a kite, a predatory bird known for attacking domestic fowl. As for the heron, ornithologists classify them into three varieties: some white, others brilliant, and some black. The latter is characterized by its aggressiveness, relentless in its pursuit, often causing chaos, with blood visible from its eyes.

The hoopoe, named irira in Greek due to its affinity for human refuse, is described by those who observe birds as the most despicable, frequently found near graveyards and human waste, from which it allegedly builds nests and feeds its young. Regardless of which of these birds corresponds to the term asida, it fittingly applies to the women of Judah and Israel, who, due to their vile transgressions, fell under demonic influence and were taken to Babylon. They carried away the vessel of wickedness, sealed with a heavy lead cap to prevent its escape, elevating the weighty burden of sins between the heavens and the earth.

Understanding this, the prophet did not pose questions about the identity of the women (for this was revealed to him in spirit) or what they bore—this knowledge had already been given—but merely sought to know where they were transporting it. Thus, he asked the angel, “Where do they carry the vessel?” The angel responded, “To establish a house for it in the land of Senaar.” However, the Septuagint states: in the land of Babylon. Indeed, Senaar refers to the valley of the Chaldeans, where those who journeyed from the East built a proud tower after failing to uphold the service of God (Genesis 11:4), leading to the city's designation as Babylon, meaning confusion, since all languages were mixed there. Consequently, wickedness is taken by these women to Babylon to build a firm and lasting home for it.

Babylon is undeniably the stronghold of iniquity, understood both historically and allegorically. If one interprets the two women as representing the nations: the heretical and the Jewish—both estranged from God’s favor, carried along by a capricious spirit, and embodying the wings of a kite, a heron, or a hoopoe—while greedily amassing wealth through unrighteousness akin to a partridge (Jeremiah 17:11), and hastening to seize the inheritance of the Church, delighting in discord and deception, leading astray those who fall for their guile, entrenched in moral decay, one will observe that these two women lift the gravest burden of wickedness and establish their abode amidst this mixture to serve the king of Babylon. Hence, wherever the heretical and Jewish people reside, idolatry persists alongside the servile worship of wood and stone.

I inquired of the heavenly messenger, “What is the purpose of their flight?” I was shown that they were heading to Babylon, not merely to deliver a measure to the city but also to construct a temple and to establish it there for their delight; for the Lord declared that He would not extend mercy to Babylon as He did to Jerusalem, having predetermined a time for its desolation, whereas He later bestowed grace and forgiveness upon Jerusalem. In contrast, due to the immense iniquity of Babylon, it shall endure perpetual judgment.