Zechariah 5:6

Arabic 2018 (الترجمة الكاثوليكيّة (اليسوعيّة))

فقُلتُ: «ما هي؟». فقال: «هٰذه هي الإِيفَةُ الخارِجَة». وأَضاف: «هٰذه خَطيئَتُهم في كُلِّ الأَرض».

What Does This Mean?

In this verse from Zechariah, the speaker is asking what he sees and is told it's an ephah that goes forth. The speaker learns that this represents something that will spread across all the earth.

Explained for Children

Imagine you see a big measuring cup, like when mommy or daddy measure flour for cookies. Someone tells you this cup is going to travel everywhere in the world and show everyone what's inside it. It’s like sharing your favorite toy with friends around the globe!

Historical Background

Zechariah wrote this prophecy during the time of rebuilding Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, likely between 520-518 BCE. The audience was the returned exiles seeking guidance and hope in reestablishing their city and faith.

Living It Out Today

Think about a new idea or product you're excited to share with your friends at school. This verse is like that – something good going out into the world for everyone to see and benefit from.

Topics

• prophecy
• spread of faith
• measurement
• rebuilding
• hope
• global impact

Related Verses

• Ezekiel 5:12
• Matthew 13:33
• Revelation 17:5
• Numbers 5:15
• Exodus 16:36

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ephah?

An ephah was a unit of dry measure used in ancient Israel, roughly equivalent to about 20 liters. It often symbolizes quantity or measurement.

Why does the speaker ask what it is?

The speaker seeks clarification because he sees something unusual and wants to understand its significance, which helps readers grasp its prophetic meaning.

How does this verse relate to spreading faith?

This verse can be seen as a metaphor for how good things or messages spread across the world, much like faith spreading through sharing.

Is there any connection between ephah and justice in the Bible?

The ephah in Zechariah is symbolic rather than directly about justice, but other passages use similar imagery to speak of measuring out justice.