Old Testament
Zechariah 5:7
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Then the lead cover on the basket was lifted up, and there inside it sat a woman.
Compare translations
And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
What Zechariah 5:7 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Zechariah 5:7, a lead cover is lifted from a basket, revealing a woman inside. This imagery is significant as it symbolizes the presence of wickedness or sin. The woman represents the evil that is being contained and addressed. The use of lead, a heavy metal, suggests that this sin is burdensome and oppressive. The basket, or ephah, is a container used for measuring grain, indicating that this sin is not only present but also has a measure or extent. The vision illustrates God's intention to deal with sin and remove it from the land. The act of lifting the cover signifies the unveiling of hidden issues that need to be confronted. This passage serves as a reminder that God sees all and will ultimately address the wrongs in society, bringing justice and purification.
How to apply Zechariah 5:7 to your life
This verse encourages us to confront the hidden sins in our lives. Just as God reveals wickedness, we should seek to identify and address our own shortcomings. By doing so, we can pursue a path of righteousness and allow God to cleanse us from within.
Curated for this public verse page. Zechariah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Zechariah 5:7
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Zechariah 5:7
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Zechariah
- Author
- Zechariah the prophet
- Written
- Around 520-480 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy and apocalyptic
- Original Audience
- Post-exilic Jews
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Zechariah 5:7 mean?
Zechariah 5:7 describes a vision where a lead cover is lifted from a basket, revealing a woman inside. This symbolizes the presence of wickedness that God intends to confront and remove from the land.
What is the significance of the woman in Zechariah 5:7?
The woman in Zechariah 5:7 represents evil or sin that is being contained. Her presence highlights the need for God to address and purify the community from hidden wickedness.
What does the lead cover symbolize in Zechariah 5:7?
The lead cover in Zechariah 5:7 symbolizes the weight and burden of sin. It suggests that the wickedness being revealed is oppressive and needs to be dealt with by God.
What is the context of Zechariah 5:7?
Zechariah 5:7 is part of a vision where God reveals the reality of sin in society. The passage illustrates God's intention to unveil and remove wickedness, emphasizing His role in bringing justice.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.