06_An_Cranz_586-598_coopia_586-598 10/12/15 10:35 Pagina 598 598 ISABEL CRANZ 598 bodiments of their fears and desires, the vision features God as presenting his people with an affirmative answer to their quest for redemption. In conclusion, Zech 5,5-11 confirms what the rituals are trying to induce — a state of forgiveness and the opportunity for a new beginning. University of Pennsylvania Isabel CRANZ 255 South 36th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 U.S.A. SUMMARY This paper proposes a conceptual link between Zechariah’s vision of the woman in the ephah (Zech 5,5-11) and Assyro-Babylonian exorcisms utiliz- ing figurines. My comparison focuses on the integration of ritual elements in Zech 5,5-11. This analysis highlights the modifications that the ritual elements underwent before they could function as an integral part of a prophetic vision. The analysis of Zech 5,5-11 against the backdrop of Assyro-Babylonian ex- orcisms sheds new light on the manner in which the prophetic author(s) em- ployed ritual material in his exemplification of sin and atonement.