Zechariah 5

5–8 Whereas the previous vision (verses 1–4) focused on the punishment of individual sinners, this vision focuses on the removal of wickedness from the land, thereby making it a “holy land” fit for God to dwell in. Zechariah sees a basket which represents the iniquity of the people (verse 6). Inside the basket is a woman, who personifies wickedness¹² (verses 7–8). When the woman (wickedness) tries to escape from the basket, she is pushed back in. This vision, then, depicts the “capture” of wickedness so that it can be removed from the land.

9–11 It is removed by two other “women” (divine agents) having wings like those of a stork! (verse 9). They carry the basket to Babylonia (verse 11), which in the Bible often symbolizes a place of wickedness and idolatry. Thus Judah (Israel) will be cleansed of evil and become a holy land.