Biblical Reference:
The account of the Woman in the Basket is found in the book of Zechariah, specifically in Zechariah 5:5-11. This passage is part of a series of visions given to the prophet Zechariah, which convey messages of judgment and restoration for the people of Israel.

Context and Content:
Zechariah, a post-exilic prophet, received a series of eight night visions intended to encourage the Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian exile and were in the process of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. The vision of the Woman in the Basket is the seventh vision and is a symbolic representation of wickedness and its removal from the land.

Vision Details:
In Zechariah 5:5-11, the prophet is shown a large basket, referred to as an "ephah," which was a common unit of dry measure in ancient Israel. The angel accompanying Zechariah explains that the basket represents the iniquity of the people throughout the land. As the basket is opened, a woman is revealed sitting inside. The angel identifies the woman as "Wickedness," personifying the sin and moral corruption prevalent among the people.

The narrative continues with the angel casting the woman back into the basket and sealing it with a lead cover, symbolizing the containment and restraint of wickedness. Subsequently, two women with wings like those of a stork lift the basket and carry it away to the land of Shinar, which is historically associated with Babylon. This act signifies the removal of wickedness from Israel and its relocation to a place synonymous with rebellion against God.

Theological Significance:
The vision of the Woman in the Basket underscores the theme of divine judgment and purification. It illustrates God's intention to cleanse His people from sin and to establish righteousness in the land. The removal of wickedness to Shinar, a place of historical and symbolic significance, highlights the separation of God's people from the influences of idolatry and moral decay.

The use of a woman to personify wickedness may reflect the cultural and literary conventions of the time, where feminine imagery was often employed to depict abstract concepts. The sealing of the basket with a lead cover emphasizes the finality and completeness of God's judgment against sin.

Symbolism and Imagery:
· Basket (Ephah): Represents the measure of iniquity and the collective sins of the people.
· Woman (Wickedness): Personifies the moral and spiritual corruption that had infiltrated the community.
· Lead Cover: Symbolizes the containment and suppression of sin.
· Two Winged Women: Agents of divine action, carrying out God's judgment by removing wickedness from the land.
· Land of Shinar: Represents a place of exile and judgment, historically linked to Babylon, a symbol of opposition to God.

Interpretation and Application:
The vision serves as a reminder of God's holiness and His commitment to purify His people. It calls believers to recognize the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance. The imagery of the Woman in the Basket encourages the faithful to trust in God's sovereign power to remove iniquity and to establish His kingdom of righteousness.

In a broader theological context, this vision foreshadows the ultimate triumph over sin through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who provides the means for cleansing and restoration for all who believe.