The logical relationship of this verse to the previous one depends on the way the previous one was interpreted. Those who take niqqah in verse 3 as “to be innocent, unpunished” see verse 4 as giving a contrasting situation; thieves and liars had not been punished for a long time, but now God’s curse is going to put things right. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh brings this out by adding “But” at the beginning of verse 4. Those who take niqqah in the sense of “remove” see verse 4 as explaining how the removal will be carried out. This seems to form a smoother connection, and is to be preferred.
I will send it forth, says the LORD of hosts: Good News Translation turns this into indirect speech in order to avoid another quotation within the longer direct speech that includes most of verses 3 and 4 (“The LORD Almighty says that he will send this curse out”).
The Hebrew verb for I will send it forth is a perfect (rendered “I have sent it” in New English Bible/ Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), though most modern English versions use a future (Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version). Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible mention in a footnote that they are following the ancient Greek translation, but the other versions have no note. It is possible to regard the Hebrew perfect as a “prophetic perfect” in which future events are spoken of as if they were past, and this is probably what the other modern versions have done. However, it seems no advantage in this case. When the LORD speaks of the curse as already gone forth, he is emphasizing how soon the sinners will be punished. We therefore advise translators to use a past tense and translate “The LORD Almighty says, ‘I have sent this curse out [into the land]…’ ” or “… ‘I have sent out these words of condemnation.’ ”
For LORD of hosts, see the comments on Hag 1.2. The formula says the LORD of hosts is probably marking the climax of the angel’s explanation in verses 3-4.
It shall enter: The LORD describes the purpose of the curse. It has already gone out, and shall enter the homes of sinners. The future tense is correct this time.
The house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name: It seems clumsy to repeat the house of, though most available modern versions do so (exceptions are New Jerusalem Bible, Beck, Contemporary English Version, Bible en français courant and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). In languages where this repetition would be poor style, translators could express the statement in more general terms, and say, “the houses of thieves and of those who swear falsely by my name.” Contemporary English Version has a helpful model for the first part of this verse: “The LORD All-Powerful has said, ‘I am sending this scroll into the house of everyone who is a robber or tells lies in my name,’ ” where “this scroll” stands for it (the curses on the scroll). In some languages there may be a single term that means “to swear falsely in God’s name,” and if so, translators could use it. In English some translations use the term “perjure” (Moffatt, New American Bible, New English Bible/ Revised English Bible), but it is still necessary to mention the name of God as well in English. See the comments on verse 3.
It shall abide in his house: Abide is an old-fashioned term, and modern English versions use terms like “settle” (Jerusalem Bible/New Jerusalem Bible), “lodge” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “stay” (New English Bible/ Revised English Bible), and “remain” (Good News Translation, New International Version, Contemporary English Version).
And consume it, both timber and stones: Consume in English may be taken to mean “eat” or “devour.” This is not the meaning of the Hebrew term, but if such an expression would be natural in other languages, there is no reason why it should not be used. If such a figure of speech would not be appropriate, the plain meaning is “destroy” (New International Version). Translators may therefore express this clause as “and completely destroy all the wood and stones.”
Timber and stones were the main building materials used in houses in that part of the world. For the use of both in a single building, compare 1 Kgs 7.12; Hab 2.11. In areas where other materials are used, translators may use more general terms such as “walls and beams” or “walls and roof,” and so speak of the parts of a house rather than its materials. Another possibility is to follow the example of Good News Translation and state the effect of the curse (“leave them in ruins”) rather than give the details of how the effect is achieved. Another way to express this is “and will completely destroy their houses.”
Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Zechariah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2002. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .