Definition: Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind [was] in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It's quite poetic, so we’ll go through it step-by-step: The Basic Idea: This passage describes a vision of angels – specifically, two women – appearing to King Zechariah in a dramatic and unusual way. Let’s unpack the details: “Then lifted I up mine eyes…” : This is a metaphor for Zechariah's intense focus and attention being drawn to something significant. He was looking very closely. “…and, behold, there came out two women…” : This establishes that we’re seeing a group of people – two women – appear. “and the wind [was] in their wings…” : This is where it gets interesting. The word "wind" here doesn't just mean a breeze. It evokes a sense of movement , power , and perhaps even spirit . The "wings" are described as being like those of an stork – a large bird known for its long, slender legs and flexible body. “for they had wings like the wings of a stork:…” : This reinforces the imagery - these women have a distinct, unusual shape to their wings. “…and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven.” : Now, "ephah" is a very large, heavy sack or container. It's often used to symbolize wealth, precious things, or even divine favor. This suggests that these women are carrying something incredibly valuable – perhaps a gift, a message, or a blessing – upwards towards the heavens (something almost beyond our comprehension). Overall Meaning & Interpretation: The verse is rich with symbolism and has been interpreted in several ways. Here are some possible understandings: Divine Guidance/Prophecy: It’s often seen as an early example of divine guidance or prophecy. Zechariah was receiving a vision that spoke of future events, and this passage describes a powerful and significant event – the arrival of these women with a great gift. A Message of Hope & Promise: The image of these women carrying something large and precious suggests hope and promise for the future. It’s a message about blessings coming to fruition. Symbolic Representation: It could represent a spiritual ascension or a reaching for something beyond our earthly limitations. Important Note: Biblical interpretation can be complex, and there's no single "correct" understanding. This is just one possible explanation based on the text itself! --- Do you want to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like me to: Explain a particular symbol in more detail? Discuss the historical context (where did this passage appear)?