Zephaniah 2:2
Zephaniah 2:3
Zephaniah 2:4
Zephaniah 2:5
Zephaniah 2:6
Zephaniah 2:7
Zephaniah 2:8
Zephaniah 2:9
Zephaniah 2:10
Zephaniah 2:11
Zephaniah 2:12
Zephaniah 2:13
Zephaniah 2:14
Zephaniah 2:15
Click chart to enlarge
Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission
Zephaniah Chart from Charles Swindoll
Another Zephaniah Chart
SETTING OF ZEPHANIAH
Click chart to enlarge
Source: Ryrie Study Bible
Circa 620 B.C.(Source: ESV.org)
Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah, when Egypt, Judah, and Babylonia were eroding the power of Assyria. Shortly after this time the Babylonians would replace the Assyrians as the dominant power in the Near East.(Source: ESV.org)
Below is a summary chart of the Zephaniah portion of the discussion of the Day of the Lord part 2
Youtube discussion - What the Bible Teaches About the Day of the Lord - Part 1
Youtube discussion - What the Bible Teaches About the Day of the Lord - Part 2|
Zephaniah 2:1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame,
NET Zephaniah 2:1 Bunch yourselves together like straw, you undesirable nation,
CSB Zephaniah 2:1 Gather yourselves together; gather together, undesirable nation,
ESV Zephaniah 2:1 Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation,
NIV Zephaniah 2:1 Gather together, gather together, O shameful nation,
NLT Zephaniah 2:1 Gather together-- yes, gather together, you shameless nation.
NRS Zephaniah 2:1 Gather together, gather, O shameless nation,
NJB Zephaniah 2:1 Gather together, gather together, nations without shame,
- gather: 2Ch 20:4 Ne 8:1 9:1 Es 4:16 Joe 1:14 2:12-18 Mt 18:20
- O nation: Isa 1:4-6,10-15 Jer 12:7-9 Zec 11:8
- without shame Isa 26:8,9
- Online conservative resource - KJV Commentary
Related Passages:
Joel 2:15+ Blow a trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, 16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber.
Jeremiah 6:15 “Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; They did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time that I punish them, They shall be cast down,” says the LORD.
Below is a timeline summarizing some of the features of the Day of the LORD which are described in Zephaniah 1 and Zephaniah 2. The truths in Zephaniah 1 are highlighted in yellow (see under "Great Tribulation") and the truths in Zephaniah 2 are highlighted in blue. Note that these latter truths include those which will occur in the Millennial aspect of the Day of the LORD.
GATHER ROUND ALL YOU
PEOPLE FOR A WORD FROM YAHWEH
Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame - NET picks up the sense of the following context ("like the chaff") and so paraphrases this as "Bunch yourselves together like straw." Regarding without shame shows that they had become calloused to the evil in their society. Continual sinning will do that to our soul, progressively hardening one's heart to the convicting ministry of the Spirit. Paul writes to Timothy describing those who are "seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron." We've seen that in our own society.
THOUGHT - Beware of playing with sin and slowing becoming ensnared to the point that you don't even see it as sin anymore! This is a very dangerous place for a soul to be! If you find yourself being seduced by the siren calls of this godless, immoral world, cry out to God, confess, and receive His gift of repentance, while you still are sensitive to His Spirit. Many a man has played with sin and found it's pleasure was far outweighed by the pain it brings (as in Jer 6:15)!
Descriptive Definition of the Day of the Lord - The DAY of the LORD describes a time when God intervenes in the “day of man.” The DAY of the Lord can have a historical fulfillment (NEAR), and an eschatological fulfillment (FAR). This DAY begins with the Great Tribulation when God judges the Gentile nations & Israel, purifying a redeemed remnant of Israel who will enter into the Promised Land for a period of unprecedented blessing & prosperity in the Messianic Kingdom ruled by the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ. The DAY of the Lord terminates with God’s “uncreation” of the creation at the end of 1000 years.
MacArthur - No longer sensitive to God’s call to repentance through His many prophets, Judah had sunk to shamelessness. (MacArthur Study Bible)
KJV Commentary - Having painted a dark picture of judgment in the preceding chapter, the prophet now points to the fact that there is one thing that can keep the judgment (which is about twenty years away) from being realized—repentance. Thus, he calls on the nation and its people to repent. The first step in repentance would be to heighten the national awareness of its peril and need. Every person has been going his own way, giving attention only to his own wants. Now the nation is implored to gather itself together (heightened by the repetition of the thought) and seek the Lord so that the dark things predicted might be averted; The nation is addressed O nation not desired because of its sin and spiritual insensitivity. In fact, Jehovah does desire her (for he is jealous over her, cf. Zep 1:18b); but the nation has become so calloused in its sinning that she has become totally insensitive to God’s desire and will concerning her. Thus, the nation is implored to gather together as in a solemn assembly to seek Jehovah in repentance and thus avert the national catastrophe.
Moody Bible Commentary (borrow) - Few things so powerfully demonstrate God’s sovereign rule over the earth as His ability to bring the nations of the world into accountability (Ps 33:10; Is 13:3–5; 45:1–5; Jr 51:20; Dn 4:3, 17, 35). But prior to describing this end-of-days judgment, God calls Israel to return to Him. At the outset, Zephaniah exhorted the people of Judah to gather yourselves together, yes, gather (v. 1). Although this could be a call to collective repentance, it could also be a call to return to the land of Israel prior to the eschatological “day of the LORD.” The word used for “gather” (qashash) is used only here in Zephaniah, but two other synonyms for “gather” (‘asaph, 3:8, 18; and qabats, 3:19, 20) are also used in the book. Since both of these uses refer to a physical and literal gathering, it is also likely that in this context the word should be taken literally as well. Thus, it refers to the Lord literally regathering Judah back to the land prior to the “day of the LORD,” the seven-year tribulation period (Dan 9:27). The nation would be returned to the land of Israel before the decree (of judgment) takes effect (v. 2). Here is the evident mercy of God, even in the face of certain dreadful judgment.
Matthew Henry appropriately stated, Zephaniah intended ”not to frighten them out of their wits, but to frighten them out of their sins“
NET NOTE The Hebrew text combines a Hitpolel imperative of קָשַׁשׁ (qashash) with a Qal imperative of the same root. Elsewhere this root appears in the polel stem with the meaning “gather stubble.” Zephaniah’s command is ironic, implying the people are like stubble or straw. As such, they are vulnerable to the Lord’s fiery judgment that will quickly consume them (see 1:18). See Adele Berlin, Zephaniah (AB 25A), 96. WITHOUT SHAME ("Undesirable" in NET) = tn Some relate this word to an Aramaic cognate meaning “to be ashamed.” With the negative particle it would then mean “unashamed” (cf. NIV “shameful”; NRSV “shameless”). However, elsewhere in biblical Hebrew the verb means “to desire,” or with the negative particle “undesirable.” Cf. also NEB “unruly.”
Shame (03700) kacaph: to be pale or white with shame, to be shameless. A related word means ”silver,“ the pale-colored metal mentioned in Zeph 1:11, 18. Judah, because of her sin, was without shame (cf. Zeph 3:5); her face was not blushing or white or pale with embarrassment. Sin had hardened her sensitivity to sin (cf. 1:12).
Zephaniah 2:2 Before the decree takes effect– The day passes like the chaff– Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you.
KJV Zephaniah 2:2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.
BGT Zephaniah 2:2 πρὸ τοῦ γενέσθαι ὑμᾶς ὡς ἄνθος παραπορευόμενον πρὸ τοῦ ἐπελθεῖν ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς ὀργὴν κυρίου πρὸ τοῦ ἐπελθεῖν ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς ἡμέραν θυμοῦ κυρίου
LXE Zephaniah 2:2 before ye become as the flower that passes away, before the anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the wrath of the Lord come upon you.
NET Zephaniah 2:2 before God's decree becomes reality and the day of opportunity disappears like windblown chaff, before the LORD's raging anger overtakes you– before the day of the LORD's angry judgment overtakes you!
CSB Zephaniah 2:2 before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning of the LORD's anger overtakes you, before the day of the LORD's anger overtakes you.
ESV Zephaniah 2:2 before the decree takes effect-- before the day passes away like chaff-- before there comes upon you the burning anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the LORD.
NIV Zephaniah 2:2 before the appointed time arrives and that day sweeps on like chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the day of the LORD's wrath comes upon you.
NLT Zephaniah 2:2 Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the LORD's anger begins.
NRS Zephaniah 2:2 before you are driven away like the drifting chaff, before there comes upon you the fierce anger of the LORD, before there comes upon you the day of the LORD's wrath.
NJB Zephaniah 2:2 before you are dispersed like chaff which disappears in a day; before Yahweh's burning anger overtakes you (before the Day of Yahweh's anger overtakes you).
NAB Zephaniah 2:2 Before you are driven away, like chaff that passes on; Before there comes upon you the blazing anger of the LORD: Before there comes upon you the day of the LORD'S anger.
YLT Zephaniah 2:2 Before the bringing forth of a statute, As chaff hath the day passed on, While yet not come in upon you doth the heat of the anger of Jehovah, While yet not come in upon you doth a day of the anger of Jehovah,
- the decree: Zep 3:8 2Ki 22:16,17 23:26,27 Eze 12:25 Mt 24:35 2Pe 3:4-10
- like the chaff: Job 21:18 Ps 1:4 Isa 17:13 41:15,16 Ho 13:3
- Before the burning anger of the LORD: Zep 1:18 2Ch 36:16,17 Ps 2:12 50:22 Jer 23:20 La 4:11 Na 1:6 Mal 4:1,2 Lu 13:24-28
- Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you: Ps 95:7,8
Related Passages:
Zephaniah 3:8 “Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “For the day (THE DAY OF THE LORD) when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.
GOD'S WARNING "BEFORE"
THE FIRE FALLS
Before the decree takes effect– “before the giving birth of a decree.” Don't miss the critical time phrase "before" which means during the period of time preceding a particular event or time. In this context "before" is a word that speaks of God's grace and mercy, a divine warning to give the hearers time to respond before the divine "hammer drops!"
The day passes like the chaff– literally, “like chaff it passes by a day.”
NET NOTE is interesting - The translation (NET = before God's decree becomes reality and the day of opportunity disappears like windblown chaff, before the LORD's raging anger overtakes you– before the day of the LORD's angry judgment overtakes you!) assumes the “day” is the brief time God is giving the nation to repent. The comparison of this quickly passing opportunity to chaff is consistent with the straw imagery of Zeph 2:1.
Before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD’S anger comes upon you. - Clearly The day is the day of the LORD, when He will visit Judah for punishment. Note the repetition of comes upon you which speaks of God's righteous anger!
Burning anger is from Hebrew word aph (the nose, nostril), which refers to the breathing part of the body. By the act of breathing emotions can be expressed & so by the flaring of the nostrils the anger is expressed.
God is a God of great compassion and mercy and He always warns before He judges! Noah built the Ark (possibly for 120 years - cf Ge 6:3+) and was a preacher of righteousness (2Pe 2:5+) before God brought the flood and destroyed all the sinners on the earth! He warned through a man, but men refused to heed the warning from God's prophet!
THOUGHT - Dear reader, are you skeptical of the claims of the Bible and of Jesus Christ? Do you doubt that Jesus is the Lamb of God Who alone (Acts 4:12+) can take away the sins of the world (of all who place their faith in Him) and specifically can take away your sins forever (cf John 1:29+)? If you doubt this truth, then you need to take heed of the time phrase in this verse, that little word BEFORE! You do not know that God will even grant you breath one more day (Da 5:23+). Today is the day you must humble your heart, bow your knee and cry out to the Merciful God to save your soul from eternal punishment BEFORE ("pun" intended) it is too late (READ 2Cor 6:2+)! You do not want to experience His burning anger!!!
WHAT ARE TWO ASPECTS OF THE DAY OF THE LORD FROM THIS VERSE? DOL = Will be like chaff (“burning anger of Yahweh”) DOL = Yahweh’s anger. See similar descriptions of the Day of the LORD highlighted in yellow in the chart below...
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’S anger.
KJV Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
BGT Zephaniah 2:3 ζητήσατε τὸν κύριον πάντες ταπεινοὶ γῆς κρίμα ἐργάζεσθε καὶ δικαιοσύνην ζητήσατε καὶ ἀποκρίνεσθε αὐτά ὅπως σκεπασθῆτε ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ὀργῆς κυρίου
LXE Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth; do judgment, and seek justice, and answer accordingly; that ye may be hid in the day of the wrath of the Lord.
NET Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD's favor, all you humble people of the land who have obeyed his commands! Strive to do what is right! Strive to be humble! Maybe you will be protected on the day of the LORD's angry judgment.
CSB Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who carry out what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be concealed on the day of the LORD's anger.
ESV Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.
NIV Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.
NLT Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the LORD will protect you-- protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.
NRS Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the LORD's wrath.
NJB Zephaniah 2:3 Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth, who obey his commands. Seek uprightness, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter on the Day of Yahweh's anger.
NAB Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law; Seek justice, seek humility; perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the LORD'S anger.
YLT Zephaniah 2:3 Seek Jehovah, all ye humble of the land, Who His judgment have done, Seek ye righteousness, seek humility, It may be ye are hidden in a day of the anger of Jehovah.
- Seek the LORD Ps 105:4 Isa 55:6,7 Jer 3:13,14 4:1,2 29:12,13 Ho 7:10 10:12 Am 5:4-6,14,15 Mt 7:7,8
- All you humble of the earth: 2Ch 34:27,28 Ps 22:26 25:8,9 76:9 149:4 Isa 61:1 Jer 22:15,16 Zec 8:19 Mt 5:5 Jas 1:21,22 1Pe 3:4
- Seek righteousness, seek humility: Php 3:13,14 1Th 4:1,10 1Pe 1:22 2Pe 3:18
- Perhaps 2Sa 12:22 Joe 2:13,14 Am 5:15 Jon 3:9
- you will be hidden Ge 7:15,16 Ex 12:27 Ps 31:20 Ps 32:6,7 Ps 57:1 Ps 91:1 Pr 18:10 Isa 26:20,21 Jer 39:18 Jer 45:5 Col 3:2-4
Related Passages:
Colossians 3:3+ For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
GOD'S FORBEARANCE
AND PATIENCE
Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness (lit - "seek what is right"), seek humility. Three commands to seek (aorist imperative in the Septuagint = "Just do it!" "Do not delay!). What God commands, He enables. He is calling on Judahites to humble themselves and depend on the Holy Spirit to obey. Note this offer of amazing grace is not just for Judah but for all the humble of the earth! How does God identify a humble person? One who carries out His ordinances (He is not speaking of legalistically, but from a humble, contrite heart, one that the Spirit even in the OT would have given grace to which would allow them to carry out the ordinances).
Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’S anger. - NEB “it may be that you will find shelter”; NRSV “perhaps you may be hidden.” The day in context is the Day of the LORD, not a single day, but that time when He pours out His wrath as described in the seals, trumpets and bowls in Revelation 6-19. As we will learn in Zephaniah 3 it is a Day balanced by His mercy, forgiveness and restoration. It is much like the description in Genesis 1:19 "There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day." That is to say, the darkness is followed by the light!
Moody Bible Commentary (borrow) - Although the decision to punish cannot be averted, mindful of His covenant with Israel and his “hesed/chesed/heced” (His steadfast, covenantal love), God offered mercy through forgiveness and providential care amid their suffering (See 2:7, 9; Neh 9:27–28; Ps 25:6; Is 30:18–26; Ezk 39:25–29).
Regarding the Day of the Lord we repeatedly see the Father's heart is to "default" to mercy (hesed/chesed/heced), not wrath, even as described in 2 Peter 3:9+ (in the context of a description of the Day of the Lord), Peter writing "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
Believers Study Bible - This verse comes closest to summarizing briefly the theme of the book. The only means by which one can hope to escape the judgment of God as well as to please the Lord on a daily basis is to "seek" Him (cf. Ps. 105:4; Amos 5:6; Matt. 7:7, 8). "Meek of the earth" has reference to those who adhere to the Lord's standard of justice. They are exhorted to continue seeking "righteousness" and "humility" even more diligently as the day of the Lord approaches.
If Zephaniah is prophesying during Manasseh or Amon's time and Josiah is hearing this, then Josiah did repent and did clean up the country as best he could, but he could not cancel our God's judgment. He could only postpone it. Therefore, the prophet continues with his description of certain judgment.
Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza will be abandoned And Ashkelon a desolation; Ashdod will be driven out at noon And Ekron will be uprooted.
KJV Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
BGT Zephaniah 2:4 διότι Γάζα διηρπασμένη ἔσται καὶ Ἀσκαλὼν ἔσται εἰς ἀφανισμόν καὶ Ἄζωτος μεσημβρίας ἐκριφήσεται καὶ Ακκαρων ἐκριζωθήσεται
LXE Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza shall be utterly spoiled, and Ascalon shall be destroyed; and Azotus shall be cast forth at noon-day, and Accaron shall be rooted up.
NET Zephaniah 2:4 Indeed, Gaza will be deserted and Ashkelon will become a heap of ruins. Invaders will drive away the people of Ashdod by noon, and Ekron will be overthrown.
CSB Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon will become a ruin. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.
ESV Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod's people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted.
NIV Zephaniah 2:4 Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied and Ekron uprooted.
NLT Zephaniah 2:4 Gaza and Ashkelon will be abandoned, Ashdod and Ekron torn down.
NRS Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod's people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted.
NJB Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon reduced to ruins; Ashdod will be driven out in broad daylight and Ekron uprooted.
NAB Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon shall be a waste, Ashdod they shall drive out at midday, and Ekron shall be uprooted.
YLT Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza is forsaken, And Ashkelon is for a desolation, Ashdod! at noon they do cast her forth, And Ekron is rooted up.
- Gaza: Jer 25:20 47:1-7 Eze 25:15-17 Am 1:6-8 Zec 9:5-7
- Ashdod will be driven out at noon: Ps 91:6 Jer 6:4 15:8
JUDGMENT AGAINST
PHILISTINES
For Gaza will be abandoned (Lxx - diarpazo = thoroughly plundered, despoiled as in Mt 12:29) And Ashkelon a desolation (Lxx - aphanismos - vanishing away, no longer visible); Ashdod will be driven out at noon And Ekron will be uprooted - See map above for Philistia on the southwestern side of Israel. Note the intensity of the description (abandoned, desolation, driven out, uprooted).
NET NOTE - The reference to noon may suggest a sudden, quick defeat (see Jer 6:4; 15:8). Heb “uprooted.” There is a sound play here in the Hebrew text: the name “Ekron” (עֶקְרוֹן, ’eqron) sounds like the word translated “uprooted” (תֵּעָקֵר, te’aqer).
Believers Study Bible - "At noonday," at a time when Orientals generally refrain from civil and military activities to spend the time in sleep, sudden destruction is to come upon Ashdod (cf. 2 Sam. 4:5; Jer. 6:4).
Desolation (08077) shemamah Shemamah, from shamam (be desolate), denotes desolation or desolate (Jer 34:22). It means ruin (Jer 25:12) or wasteland (Mic 7:13). Shemamah connotes in grief (Ezek 7:27). It occurs with "make" (siym: Jer 12:11; nathan: Jer 34:22; 'asah: Ezek 35:14): make desolate/a desolation, or destroy (Mic 1:7). Shemamah with shamam implies desolate waste (Ezek 33:28). Related shammah (39x) means devastation (Ezek 23:33) alongside shemamah. Shammah denotes desolate or desolation (Isa 5:9). It suggests horrible thing, horror, or object of scorn (Jer 5:30; 42:18). With "make" (siym: Jer 4:7; shiyth: Jer 50:3; or nathan: Mic 6:16), shammah is lay waste or make desolate (Jer 2:15). Both nouns with chorbah ("ruin") imply desolate ruin. Related meshammah and shimmah (Ezek 33:29; 35:7) with shemamah indicate desolate waste. Meshammah (7x) elsewhere means desolate (Isa 15:6) or horror (Ezek 5:15). Shamem (2x) means desolate (Jer 12:11). Shimmamon (2x) signifies dread (Ezek 4:16).
Shemamah in Zephaniah - Zeph. 1:13; Zeph. 2:4; Zeph. 2:9; Zeph. 2:13
Zephaniah 2:5 Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; And I will destroy you So that there will be no inhabitant.
KJV Zephaniah 2:5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
BGT Zephaniah 2:5 οὐαὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὸ σχοίνισμα τῆς θαλάσσης πάροικοι Κρητῶν λόγος κυρίου ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς Χανααν γῆ ἀλλοφύλων καὶ ἀπολῶ ὑμᾶς ἐκ κατοικίας
LXE Zephaniah 2:5 Woe to them that dwell on the border of the sea, neighbours of the Cretans! the word of the Lord is against you, O Chanaan, land of the Philistines, and I will destroy you out of your dwelling-place.
NET Zephaniah 2:5 Those who live by the sea, the people who came from Crete, are as good as dead. The LORD has decreed your downfall, Canaan, land of the Philistines: "I will destroy everyone who lives there!"
CSB Zephaniah 2:5 Woe, inhabitants of the seacoast, nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines: I will destroy you until there is no one left.
ESV Zephaniah 2:5 Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.
NIV Zephaniah 2:5 Woe to you who live by the sea, O Kerethite people; the word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines. "I will destroy you, and none will be left."
NLT Zephaniah 2:5 And what sorrow awaits you Philistines who live along the coast and in the land of Canaan, for this judgment is against you, too! The LORD will destroy you until not one of you is left.
NRS Zephaniah 2:5 Ah, inhabitants of the seacoast, you nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.
NJB Zephaniah 2:5 Disaster to the members of the coastal league, to the nation of the Cherethites! This is the word of Yahweh against you: I shall subdue you, land of the Philistines, I shall destroy you till there are no inhabitants left;
NAB Zephaniah 2:5 Woe to you who dwell by the seacoast, to the Cretan folk! The word of the LORD is against you, I will humble you, land of the Philistines, and leave you to perish without an inhabitant!
YLT Zephaniah 2:5 Ho! O inhabitants of the sea-coast, Nation of the Cherethites, A word of Jehovah is against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines, And I have destroyed thee without an inhabitant.
- Cherethites: Jer 47:7 Eze 25:16, Cherethims
- The word of the LORD: Am 3:1 5:1 Zec 1:6 Mk 12:12
- O Canaan: Jos 13:3 Jdg 3:3
WORD OF LORD
AGAINST PHILISTINES
Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines; And I will destroy (Lxx - apollumi) you So that there will be no inhabitant - Yahweh is angry with the inhabitants of the seacoast and their destruction will be sure and complete.
NET NOTE - Heb “Woe, inhabitants of the coast of the sea, nation of Kerethites.” The Hebrew term הוֹי (hoy, “ah, woe”), is used to mourn the dead and express outwardly one’s sorrow (see 1 Kgs 13:30; Jer 22:18; 34:5). By using it here the prophet mourns in advance the downfall of the Philistines, thereby emphasizing the certainty of their demise (“as good as dead”).
CHERETHITES (executioners) A Philistine tribe, which adhered to David, and with the Pelethites formed his bodyguard, 1 Sam. 30:14, 16; 2 Sam. 8:18; 15:18; 20:7, 23; 1 Kin. 1:38, 44; 1 Chr. 18:17; Ezek. 25:16; Zeph. 2:5. and of King David. It is plain that these royal guards were employed as executioners. They originally came from the island of Crete.
Zephaniah 2:6 So the seacoast will be pastures, With caves for shepherds and folds for flocks.
KJV Zephaniah 2:6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
BGT Zephaniah 2:6 καὶ ἔσται Κρήτη νομὴ ποιμνίων καὶ μάνδρα προβάτων
LXE Zephaniah 2:6 And Crete shall be a pasture of flocks, and a fold of sheep.
NET Zephaniah 2:6 The seacoast will be used as pasture lands by the shepherds and as pens for their flocks.
CSB Zephaniah 2:6 The seacoast will become pasturelands with caves for shepherds and folds for sheep.
ESV Zephaniah 2:6 And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures, with meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks.
NIV Zephaniah 2:6 The land by the sea, where the Kerethites dwell, will be a place for shepherds and sheep pens.
NLT Zephaniah 2:6 The Philistine coast will become a wilderness pasture, a place of shepherd camps and enclosures for sheep and goats.
NRS Zephaniah 2:6 And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures, meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks.
NJB Zephaniah 2:6 and the coastal league will be reduced to pasture land, to grazing grounds for shepherds and folds for sheep;
NAB Zephaniah 2:6 The coastland of the Cretans shall become fields for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
YLT Zephaniah 2:6 And the sea-coast hath been habitations, Cottages for shepherds, and folds for a flock.
- So the seacoast: Zep 2:14,15 Isa 17:2 Eze 25:5
THE FUTURE OF THE
LAND OF THE PHILISTINES
So the seacoast will be pastures, With caves for shepherds and folds for flocks.
Zephaniah 2:7 And the coast will be For the remnant of the house of Judah, They will pasture on it. In the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down at evening; For the LORD their God will care for them And restore their fortune.
KJV Zephaniah 2:7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
BGT Zephaniah 2:7 καὶ ἔσται τὸ σχοίνισμα τῆς θαλάσσης τοῖς καταλοίποις οἴκου Ιουδα ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς νεμήσονται ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις Ἀσκαλῶνος δείλης καταλύσουσιν ἀπὸ προσώπου υἱῶν Ιουδα ὅτι ἐπέσκεπται αὐτοὺς κύριος ὁ θεὸς αὐτῶν καὶ ἀπέστρεψε τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν αὐτῶν
LXE Zephaniah 2:7 And the sea cost shall be for the remnant of the house of Juda; they shall pasture upon them in the houses of Ascalon; they shall rest in the evening because of the children of Juda; for the Lord their God has visited them, and he will turn away their captivity.
NET Zephaniah 2:7 Those who are left from the kingdom of Judah will take possession of it. By the sea they will graze, in the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down in the evening, for the LORD their God will intervene for them and restore their prosperity.
CSB Zephaniah 2:7 The coastland will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; they will find pasture there. They will lie down in the evening among the houses of Ashkelon, for the LORD their God will return to them and restore their fortunes.
ESV Zephaniah 2:7 The seacoast shall become the possession of the remnant of the house of Judah, on which they shall graze, and in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes.
NIV Zephaniah 2:7 It will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; there they will find pasture. In the evening they will lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. The LORD their God will care for them; he will restore their fortunes.
NLT Zephaniah 2:7 The remnant of the tribe of Judah will pasture there. They will rest at night in the abandoned houses in Ashkelon. For the LORD their God will visit his people in kindness and restore their prosperity again.
NRS Zephaniah 2:7 The seacoast shall become the possession of the remnant of the house of Judah, on which they shall pasture, and in the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will be mindful of them and restore their fortunes.
NJB Zephaniah 2:7 and the league will belong to the remnant of the House of Judah; they will pasture their flocks there, at night they will rest in the houses of Ashkelon; for, when Yahweh their God has punished them, he will restore their fortunes.
NAB Zephaniah 2:7 The coast shall belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; by the sea they shall pasture. In the houses of Ashkelon at evening they shall couch their flocks, For the LORD their God shall visit them, and bring about their restoration.
YLT Zephaniah 2:7 And the coast hath been for the remnant of the house of Judah, By them they have pleasure, In houses of Ashkelon at even they lie down, For inspect them doth Jehovah their God, And He hath turned back to their captivity.
- the coast (KJV): Isa 14:29-32 Ob 1:19 Zec 9:6,7 Ac 8:26,40
- the remnant (KJV): Zep 2:9 Isa 11:11 Jer 31:7 Mic 2:12 4:7 5:3-8 Hag 1:12 2:2 Ro 11:5
- for (KJV): or, when, etc
- shall visit (KJV): Ge 50:24 Ex 4:31 Lu 1:68 7:16
- turn (KJV): Zep 3:20 Ps 85:1 126:1-4 Isa 14:1 Jer 3:18 23:3 29:14 30:3,18,19 Jer 33:7 Eze 39:25 Am 9:14-15 Mic 4:10
Related Passages:
Amos 9:14-15+ “Also I will restore (SAME VERB "SHUB" USED HERE IN Zeph 2:7 "RESTORE THEIR FORTUNE") the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. 15 “I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land Which I have given them,” Says the LORD your God. (CLEARLY A PROMISE OF BLESSING OF ISRAEL IN THE MILLENNIUM).
PROPHECY CALLING FOR
A FUTURE FULFILLMENT
And the coast will be For the remnant (Lxx - kataloipos = left, remaining - see Zech 13:8-9+) of the house of Judah, They will pasture on it - The remnant speaks of those in Judah who will be saved in the Day of the Lord, specifically at the end of the Great Tribulation. We know this is the time frame from the added details that they would lie down (implying at peace and/or without fear), God would take care of them and most of all that God would restore their fortune. It is March, 2024 and the Jews certainly cannot lie down in peace at this time of war with Hamas in Gaza (the seacoast of this prophecy).
Henry Morris - house of Judah. During the New Testament period, the land of the Philistines was a part of the province of Judaea, occupied by the Jews. In modern times, the Gaza Strip, as it is now called, although under dispute, was until recently officially a part of the modern state of Israel. The whole region is very volatile, with ownership and control wavering between Israel and Palestine.
In the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down at evening - The implication is they will have a restful, not a restless night, because they will be without fear of anti-Semitic actions.
David Levy feels that this has a near and far fulfillment - The Judeans would “lie down” (Zeph 2: 7) at night in safety, not having to fear ferocious beasts or evil intruders. This promise was fulfilled in 536 B.C. when Judah returned from the Babylonian captivity (ED: NOT EVERYONE WOULD AGREE WITH THIS ASSESSMENT); it will be further fulfilled during the Millennium (Zeph 3:14–20).
For the LORD their God will care (paqad; Lxx - episkopeo - perfect tense = enduring, middle voice = God initiates action & participates in it = watch over) for them and restore their fortune (literally captivity) - Beloved, God is not finished with Israel as so many evangelicals are teaching today! They simply are not reading the word of God literally. God says what He means and means what He says! That should settle it for all the replacement theologians (an aberrational teaching which I interpret as a subtle form of anti-Semitism!) This prophetic promise will be fulfilled in the MILLENNIUM. What you need to understand is that yes the Day of the Lord is a horrible day for Israel in the future (Great Tribulation), but the dark night is followed by a bright morning for them when their Messiah returns to save them from destruction and give them eternal life and fulfill all the unfulfilled OT promises, including the promises to give Israel the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It will come to pass for the Lord has promised and He is not a man that He should lie! The only way to twist this great promise is to allegorize or spiritualize the literal nation of Israel and say God did not mean the Jewish nation of Israel but He really meant the non-Jewish entity, the Church. Can you see how you have to twist the Scriptures to force God to say something He did not say! Woe to those men who do this!!! But back to the Day of the Lord which is indeed a day of gloom but is also a day of hope as it includes the time when Messiah reigns on earth for 1000 years. In that "phase" of the Day of the Lord, Israel will be blessed by God and renowned among all the nations!
Restore their fortune (Hebrew literally captivity) in the Septuagint is rendered "He will turn away their captivity." This verse marks an amazing, mercy filled divine turn around! In Zephaniah 1:8, 9, 12 this same Hebrew word care (paqad) is translated punish! Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved wretches like these! (and me!) The restoration of Judah's fortune awaits a future fulfillment, to be consummated in the glorious Millennium (which is also a component of the Day of the Lord as depicted in the diagram below which demonstrates that the Day of the Lord begins at the inception of the Great Tribulation and continues through the return of the Lord Jesus Who defeats all His foes and restores the Promised Land to the Chosen People who are part of the saved remnant of Jews who have survived the Great Tribulation and enter into the Kingdom of the Lord - cf Obadiah 1:21).
Zephaniah 3:20+ says “At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” Says the LORD.
John Phillips - All this had an initial fulfillment in the wars of Nebuchadnezzar and the return of the Jews after their seventy-year exile in Babylon. There can be little doubt, however, that the vision will be re-enacted in the end times. Modern Israel now controls the ancient territory of the Philistines. One area of the coastline, the Gaza Strip, was held by the Arabs until 1967, but it was seized by the Jews during the Six-Day War. But the Arab states are not reconciled to Israel's control of the Gaza Strip. Old hatreds still slumber and the so-called occupied territories are held by Israel under simmering protest and defiance. (Exploring the Minor Prophets)
Bible Knowledge Commentary on restore their fortune - Judah’s future occupancy of this territory is guaranteed by the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 15:18–20). (Borrow Bible Knowledge Commentary - Old Testament)
Moody Bible Commentary (borrow) - the Lord would settle the remnant of … Judah throughout the promised land (Zeph 2:7).
NET NOTE restore their fortune - Traditionally, “restore their captivity,” i.e., bring back their captives, but it is more likely the expression means “restore their fortunes” in a more general sense (cf. NEB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).
Restore fortune - Jer 29:14 Jer 30:3 Jer 30:18 Jer 31:23 Jer 32:44 Jer 33:7 Jer 33:11 Jer 33:26 Jer 48:47 Jer 49:6 Jer 49:39 Ezek 39:25 Hosea 6:11 Joel 3:1 Zep 2:7 Zep 3:20
Life Application Study Bible - All the prophets, even while prophesying doom and destruction, speak of "the remnant"—a small group of God's people who remain faithful to him and whom God will restore to the land. Although God said he would destroy Judah, he also promised to save some, thus keeping his original covenant to preserve Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:4-8). Because God is holy, he cannot allow sin to continue. But God is also faithful to his promises. He cannot stay angry forever with Israel or with you, if you are his child, because he loves his children and always seeks their good.
Care (visit) (06485) pequddah/pāqadh/paqad conveys the root idea of something that is attended to or set in order -- fighting men under an officer (2 Chr. 17:14), priests in an order (1 Chr. 23:11; 24:19); arrangement of Tabernacle (Nu 4:16[2x]). Office of one in charge of something (Ps 109:8) or officers (2 Ki. 11:18; Isa. 60:17). Usually pequddah means accounting when God attended to people's actions, usually to call them to account for their sins (Nu 16:29; Jer. 48:44). In Job 10:12 God's attention was for Job's good.
Gilbrant - The verb pāqadh possesses the basic meaning or "to intervene" or "to muster," "to inspect." In the Qal, it can mean "to attend to," "to pay attention to," "to care for," "to punish," "to muster," "to assemble," "to record," "to enroll," "to commit," "to appoint," "to call to account" or "to avenge." In the Niphal stem, the word can be defined as "to be missed," "to be lacking," "to be appointed" or "to be called to account." The Piel and Pual define pāqadh as "to muster" and "to be mustered," respectively. The Hiphil translates the verb as "to appoint," "to entrust" or "to commit." Essentially meaning "intervention," "division," or "duty," pequddāh occurs thirty-two times in the OT. The noun is derived from pāqadh. In Middle Hebrew, the word means "custody." A cognate in Akkadian means "handing over" or "examination." Frequently, pequddāh refers to various positions of authority (Num. 3:32, 36; 2 Ki. 11:18; Isa. 60:17; Ezek. 44:11). For example, Eleazar was appointed as the chief leader over the Levites (Nu 3:32) and was to be in charge of the Tabernacle and everything in it (4:16). Elsewhere, the idea of punishment is indicated by pequddāh (Isa. 10:3; Jer. 8:12; 10:15; Hos. 9:7). On one occasion, God's kindness and providence in the life of Job is cited (Job 10:12). BDB 824, KB 3:958, NIDOTTE 3:657-63, Strong <H6486>, TWOT 2:731-32.(Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary)
Zephaniah 2:8 “I have heard the taunting of Moab And the revilings of the sons of Ammon, With which they have taunted My people And become arrogant against their territory.
KJV Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
BGT Zephaniah 2:8 ἤκουσα ὀνειδισμοὺς Μωαβ καὶ κονδυλισμοὺς υἱῶν Αμμων ἐν οἷς ὠνείδιζον τὸν λαόν μου καὶ ἐμεγαλύνοντο ἐπὶ τὰ ὅριά μου
LXE Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the revilings of Moab, and the insults of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have reviled my people, and magnified themselves against my coasts.
NET Zephaniah 2:8 "I have heard Moab's taunts and the Ammonites' insults. They taunted my people and verbally harassed those living in Judah.
CSB Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the taunting of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, who have taunted My people and threatened their territory.
ESV Zephaniah 2:8 "I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, how they have taunted my people and made boasts against their territory.
NIV Zephaniah 2:8 "I have heard the insults of Moab and the taunts of the Ammonites, who insulted my people and made threats against their land.
NLT Zephaniah 2:8 "I have heard the taunts of the Moabites and the insults of the Ammonites, mocking my people and invading their borders.
NRS Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, how they have taunted my people and made boasts against their territory.
NJB Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the taunt of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, as they taunted my people and boasted of their own domains.
NAB Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the revilings uttered by Moab, and the insults of the Ammonites, When they reviled my people and made boasts against their territory.
YLT Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the revilings of the sons of Ammon, Wherewith they reproached My people, And magnify themselves against their border.
- heard (KJV): Jer 48:27-29 Eze 25:8-11
- the revilings (KJV): Ps 83:4-7 Jer 49:1 Eze 25:3-7 36:2 Am 1:13
BEWARE OF TAUNTING
THE NATION OF ISRAEL
I have heard the taunting (charaph; Lxx - oneidismos = unjustifiable verbal abuse inflicted by others) of Moab And the revilings of the sons of Ammon, With which they have taunted (charaph) My people And become arrogant against their territory - This passage is a warning to anyone who reviles and taunts the little nation of Israel. It is inconceivable to me that a Bible believing saint would revile and taunt Israel, and yet I hear many today (2024) who belittle and speak down against Israel. I think such individuals need to be very cautious and recall the promise to Abram in Ge 12:3 "I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” In the context of Zephaniah 2, we see that Moab and Ammon would be cursed.
Zephaniah 2:9 “Therefore, as I live,” declares the LORD of hosts, The God of Israel, “Surely Moab will be like Sodom And the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah– A place possessed by nettles and salt pits, And a perpetual desolation. The remnant of My people will plunder them And the remainder of My nation will inherit them.”
KJV Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
BGT Zephaniah 2:9 διὰ τοῦτο ζῶ ἐγώ λέγει κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ διότι Μωαβ ὡς Σοδομα ἔσται καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Αμμων ὡς Γομορρα καὶ Δαμασκὸς ἐκλελειμμένη ὡς θιμωνιὰ ἅλωνος καὶ ἠφανισμένη εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι λαοῦ μου διαρπῶνται αὐτούς καὶ οἱ κατάλοιποι ἔθνους μου κληρονομήσουσιν αὐτούς
LXE Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall be as Sodoma, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrha; and Damascus shall be left as a heap of the threshing-floor, and desolate for ever: and the remnant of my people shall plunder them, and the remnant of my nations shall inherit them.
NET Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, as surely as I live," says the LORD who commands armies, the God of Israel, "be certain that Moab will become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah. They will be overrun by weeds, filled with salt pits, and permanently desolate. Those of my people who are left will plunder their belongings; those who are left in Judah will take possession of their land."
CSB Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, as I live-- this is the declaration of the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel-- Moab will be like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah-- a place overgrown with weeds, a salt pit, and a perpetual wasteland. The remnant of My people will plunder them; the remainder of My nation will dispossess them.
ESV Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, as I live," declares the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Moab shall become like Sodom, and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, a land possessed by nettles and salt pits, and a waste forever. The remnant of my people shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them."
NIV Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, as surely as I live," declares the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, "surely Moab will become like Sodom, the Ammonites like Gomorrah-- a place of weeds and salt pits, a wasteland forever. The remnant of my people will plunder them; the survivors of my nation will inherit their land."
NLT Zephaniah 2:9 Now, as surely as I live," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, "Moab and Ammon will be destroyed-- destroyed as completely as Sodom and Gomorrah. Their land will become a place of stinging nettles, salt pits, and eternal desolation. The remnant of my people will plunder them and take their land."
NRS Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, as I live, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, a land possessed by nettles and salt pits, and a waste forever. The remnant of my people shall plunder them, and the survivors of my nation shall possess them.
NJB Zephaniah 2:9 For this, as I live -- declares Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel -- Moab will become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah: a realm of nettles, a heap of salt, a desolation for ever. What is left of my people will plunder them, the survivors of my nation will take their heritage.
NAB Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, as I live, says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Moab shall become like Sodom, the land of Ammon like Gomorrah: A field of nettles and a salt pit and a waste forever. The remnant of my people shall plunder them, the survivors of my nation dispossess them.
YLT Zephaniah 2:9 Therefore, I live, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, Surely, Moab is as Sodom, And the sons of Ammon as Gomorrah, An overrunning of nettles and salt-pits, And a desolation -- unto the age. A residue of My people do seize them, And a remnant of My nation inherit them.
- as I (KJV): Nu 14:21 Isa 49:18 Jer 46:18 Ro 14:11
- Surely (KJV): Isa 11:14 15:1-16:14 25:10 Jer 48:1-49:7 Eze 25:1-26:21 Am 1:13-15 2:1-3
- as Gomorrah (KJV): Zep 2:14 Ge 19:24,25 De 29:23 Isa 13:19,20 34:9-13 Jer 49:18 50:40
- the residue (KJV): Zep 2:7 Zeph 3:12-13 Joe 3:19,20 Mic 5:7,8
Related Passages:
Zephaniah 3:12-13+ “But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they will take refuge in the name of the LORD. 13 “The remnant of Israel will do no wrong And tell no lies, Nor will a deceitful tongue Be found in their mouths; For they will feed and lie down With no one to make them tremble.”
Therefore, as I live,” declares the LORD of hosts, The God of Israel, “Surely Moab will be like Sodom And the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah– A place possessed by nettles and salt pits, And a perpetual desolation. The remnant of My people will plunder them And the remainder of My nation will inherit them - The divine curse of Ge 12:3 falls on Moab and Ammon which are likened to what God did to the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Zephaniah 2:10 This they will have in return for their pride, because they have taunted and become arrogant against the people of the LORD of hosts.
KJV Zephaniah 2:10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.
BGT Zephaniah 2:10 αὕτη αὐτοῖς ἀντὶ τῆς ὕβρεως αὐτῶν διότι ὠνείδισαν καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθησαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον τὸν παντοκράτορα
LXE Zephaniah 2:10 This is their punishment in return for their haughtiness, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the Lord Almighty.
NET Zephaniah 2:10 This is how they will be repaid for their arrogance, for they taunted and verbally harassed the people of the LORD who commands armies.
CSB Zephaniah 2:10 This is what they get for their pride, because they have taunted and acted arrogantly against the people of the LORD of Hosts.
ESV Zephaniah 2:10 This shall be their lot in return for their pride, because they taunted and boasted against the people of the LORD of hosts.
NIV Zephaniah 2:10 This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the LORD Almighty.
NLT Zephaniah 2:10 They will receive the wages of their pride, for they have scoffed at the people of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
NRS Zephaniah 2:10 This shall be their lot in return for their pride, because they scoffed and boasted against the people of the LORD of hosts.
NJB Zephaniah 2:10 This will be the price of their pride for having taunted and boasted over the people of Yahweh Sabaoth.
NAB Zephaniah 2:10 Such shall be the requital of their pride, because they reviled and boasted against the people of the LORD of hosts.
YLT Zephaniah 2:10 This is to them for their arrogancy, Because they have reproached, And they magnify themselves against the people of Jehovah of Hosts.
- for (KJV): Zep 2:8 Isa 16:6 Jer 48:29 Da 4:37 5:20-23 Ob 1:3 1Pe 5:5
- and magnified (KJV): Ex 9:17 10:3 Isa 10:12-15 37:22-29 Eze 38:14-18
This they will have in return for their pride - NET - "This is how they will be repaid for their arrogance." This speaks of Moab and Ammon reaping the prideful, hateful seeds they sowed against Israel.
Because they have taunted (charaph; Lxx - oneidizo - to reproach, revile, heap insults upon) and become arrogant against the people of the LORD of hosts (Lxx - pantokrator) - Because is a term of explanation and here is explaining why Moab and Ammon would receive a just retribution from Yahweh. Note that this is the third use of the verb taunt (twice in v8).
Taunted (reproach, revile, scorn) (02778) charaph basically describes reproach with connotation of casting blame or scorn on. To treat with contempt, insult, reproach, taunt, ridicule, defy. To agitate someone about something, especially to cast blame or scorn on them. It refers to sarcastic challenge in a mocking or insulting manner. It suggests a jeeringly provoking insult or challenge. As explained below this word actually as 3 senses. Vine says the idea "to say sharp things, reproach." The root with the meaning "to be sharp" is found in Northwest and South Semitic languages. In Hebrew the verb refers to a manner of speech, i.e., to reproach someone. The word appears about 50 times in the Old Testament, once in Psa. 42:10: "As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?"" Charaph is more than mere rude talk, this strong verb denotes demeaning something or someone by complete devaluation, defiance, or despising
Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be terrifying to them, for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place.
KJV Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.
BGT Zephaniah 2:11 ἐπιφανήσεται κύριος ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐξολεθρεύσει πάντας τοὺς θεοὺς τῶν ἐθνῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν αὐτῷ ἕκαστος ἐκ τοῦ τόπου αὐτοῦ πᾶσαι αἱ νῆσοι τῶν ἐθνῶν
LXE Zephaniah 2:11 The Lord shall appear against them, and shall utterly destroy all the gods of the nations of the earth; and they shall worship him every one from his place, even all the islands of the nations.
NET Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will terrify them, for he will weaken all the gods of the earth. All the distant nations will worship the LORD in their own lands.
CSB Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be terrifying to them when He starves all the gods of the earth. Then all the distant coastlands of the nations will bow in worship to Him, each in its own place.
ESV Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be awesome against them; for he will famish all the gods of the earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the lands of the nations.
NIV Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land.
NLT Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will terrify them as he destroys all the gods in the land. Then nations around the world will worship the LORD, each in their own land.
NRS Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be terrible against them; he will shrivel all the gods of the earth, and to him shall bow down, each in its place, all the coasts and islands of the nations.
NJB Zephaniah 2:11 Yahweh will be fearsome to them, for he will scatter all the gods of the earth, and they will bow down to him, each from his own place -- all the islands of the nations.
NAB Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD shall inspire them with fear when he makes all the gods of earth to waste away; Then, each from its own place, all the coastlands of the nations shall adore him.
YLT Zephaniah 2:11 Fearful is Jehovah against them, For He made bare all gods of the land, And bow themselves to Him, each from his place, Do all islanders of the nations.
- for (KJV): De 32:38 Ho 2:17 Zec 13:2
- famish (KJV): Heb. make lean
- and men (KJV): Ps 2:8-12 22:27-30 72:8-11,17 86:9 97:6-8 117:1,2 138:4 Isa 2:2-4 11:9,10 Mic 4:1-3 Zec 2:11 8:20,23 14:9-21 Mal 1:11 Joh 4:21-23 1Ti 2:8 Rev 11:15
- the isles (KJV): Ge 10:5 Isa 24:14-16 42:4,10 49:1
GLOBAL DESTRUCTION
OF IDOLATRY
The LORD will be terrifying to them, for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place - How do you "starve" a god? You cease to give it sacrifices (often of food and drink as we see today in idol worship in Hinduism). Note that the phrase all the gods of the earth takes this promise to the future when idolatry will be demolished by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Zechariah 14:9 says it this way "And the LORD will be king over all the earth; in that day the LORD will be the only one (NO IDOLS IN THE MILLENNIUM!), and His name the only one."
David Levy - God will make lean and ultimately destroy idolatry worldwide, leaving only Himself to be worshiped. Worship of God alone will become a reality during the Millennium (Mic. 4:1–2; Zech. 14:16; Mal 1:11).
Zephaniah 2:12 “You also, O Ethiopians, will be slain by My sword.”
KJV Zephaniah 2:12 Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
BGT Zephaniah 2:12 καὶ ὑμεῖς Αἰθίοπες τραυματίαι ῥομφαίας μού ἐστε
LXE Zephaniah 2:12 Ye Ethiopians also are the slain of my sword.
NET Zephaniah 2:12 "You Ethiopians will also die by my sword!"
CSB Zephaniah 2:12 You Cushites will also be slain by My sword.
ESV Zephaniah 2:12 You also, O Cushites, shall be slain by my sword.
NIV Zephaniah 2:12 "You too, O Cushites, will be slain by my sword."
NLT Zephaniah 2:12 "You Ethiopians will also be slaughtered by my sword," says the LORD.
NRS Zephaniah 2:12 You also, O Ethiopians, shall be killed by my sword.
NJB Zephaniah 2:12 You Ethiopians too will be run through by my sword.
NAB Zephaniah 2:12 You too, O Cushites, shall be slain by the sword of the LORD.
YLT Zephaniah 2:12 Also ye, O Cushim, pierced of My sword are they.
- Ethiopians: Isa 18:1-7 20:4,5 43:3 Jer 46:9,10 Eze 30:4-9
- My sword: Ps 17:13 Isa 10:5 13:5 Jer 47:6,7 51:20-23
GOD'S JUDGMENT ON
ETHIOPIA
You also, O Ethiopians, will be slain by My sword - these words are apparently spoken by the LORD
David Levy - Zephaniah then turned from the east to the south and prophesied judgment on the Ethiopians. “Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword” (Zeph 2: 12; cp. Isa. 20:4; Ezek. 30:4–9), said the Lord. Ethiopia is southwest of Egypt and was inhabited by the Cushites. They were descendants of Ham (Gen. 10:6) and controlled the area known as Eastern Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea. The Ethiopians ruled Egypt from 720–654 B.C., and at times they threatened Judah (2 Ki 19:9; 2 Chr. 14:9–13; Isa. 37:9). Ethiopia’s destruction is simply stated: “ye shall be slain by my sword” (Zeph 2: 12). The sword referred to is the Babylonians, whom God used, under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar, to destroy Ethiopia in 586 B.C. (Ezek. 30:4–5, 9)....Still, the Lord is concerned about the salvation of Ethiopia and will include her in the Millennium (Zeph 3:10).
NET NOTE on Ethiopians - Heb “Cushites.” This is traditionally assumed to refer to people from the region south of Egypt, i.e., Nubia or northern Sudan, referred to as “Ethiopia” by classical authors (not the more recent Abyssinia).
Zephaniah 2:13 And He will stretch out His hand against the north And destroy Assyria, And He will make Nineveh a desolation, Parched like the wilderness.
KJV Zephaniah 2:13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.
BGT Zephaniah 2:13 καὶ ἐκτενεῖ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ βορρᾶν καὶ ἀπολεῖ τὸν Ἀσσύριον καὶ θήσει τὴν Νινευη εἰς ἀφανισμὸν ἄνυδρον ὡς ἔρημον
LXE Zephaniah 2:13 And he shall stretch forth his hand against the north and destroy the Assyrian, and make Nineve a dry wilderness, even as a desert.
NET Zephaniah 2:13 The LORD will attack the north and destroy Assyria. He will make Nineveh a heap of ruins; it will be as barren as the desert.
CSB Zephaniah 2:13 He will also stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria; He will make Nineveh a desolate ruin, dry as the desert.
ESV Zephaniah 2:13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria, and he will make Nineveh a desolation, a dry waste like the desert.
NIV Zephaniah 2:13 He will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh utterly desolate and dry as the desert.
NLT Zephaniah 2:13 And the LORD will strike the lands of the north with his fist, destroying the land of Assyria. He will make its great capital, Nineveh, a desolate wasteland, parched like a desert.
NRS Zephaniah 2:13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and he will make Nineveh a desolation, a dry waste like the desert.
NJB Zephaniah 2:13 He will raise his hand against the north and bring Assyria down in ruins; he will make Nineveh a waste, as dry as a desert.
NAB Zephaniah 2:13 He will stretch out his hand against the north, to destroy Assyria; He will make Nineveh a waste, dry as the desert.
YLT Zephaniah 2:13 And He stretcheth His hand against the north, And doth destroy Asshur, And he setteth Nineveh for a desolation, A dry land like a wilderness.
- He will stretch out His hand against the north Ps 83:8,9 Isa 10:12,16 11:11 Eze 31:3-18
- He will make Nineveh a desolation Na 1:1 2:10,11 3:7,15,18,19 Zec 10:10,11
GOD'S JUDGMENT AGAINST
ASSYRIA & NINEVEH
And He will stretch out His hand against the north And destroy Assyria, And He will make Nineveh a desolation, Parched like the wilderness.
Life Application Study Bible - To predict the destruction of Nineveh 10 years before it happened would be equivalent to predicting the destruction of London, Tokyo, Paris, or New York. Nineveh was the ancient Near Eastern center for culture, technology, and beauty. It had great libraries, buildings, and avast irrigation system that created lush gardens in the city. The city wall was 60 miles long, 100 feet high, and over 30 feet wide and was fortified with 1,500 towers. Yet the entire city was destroyed so completely that its very existence was questioned until it was discovered, with great difficulty, by 19th-century archaeologists. Nineveh had indeed become as desolate and dry as the desert.
Zephaniah 2:14 Flocks will lie down in her midst, All beasts which range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work.
KJV Zephaniah 2:14 And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
BGT Zephaniah 2:14 καὶ νεμήσονται ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ποίμνια καὶ πάντα τὰ θηρία τῆς γῆς καὶ χαμαιλέοντες καὶ ἐχῖνοι ἐν τοῖς φατνώμασιν αὐτῆς κοιτασθήσονται καὶ θηρία φωνήσει ἐν τοῖς διορύγμασιν αὐτῆς κόρακες ἐν τοῖς πυλῶσιν αὐτῆς διότι κέδρος τὸ ἀνάστημα αὐτῆς
LXE Zephaniah 2:14 And flocks, and all the wild beasts of the land, and chameleons shall feed in the midst thereof: and hedgehogs shall lodge in the ceilings thereof; and wild beasts shall cry in the breaches thereof, and ravens in her porches, whereas her loftiness was as as cedar.
NET Zephaniah 2:14 Flocks and herds will lie down in the middle of it, as well as every kind of wild animal. Owls will sleep in the tops of its support pillars; they will hoot through the windows. Rubble will cover the thresholds; even the cedar work will be exposed to the elements.
CSB Zephaniah 2:14 Herds will lie down in the middle of it, every kind of wild animal. Both the desert owl and the screech owl will roost in the capitals of its pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but devastation will be on the threshold, for He will expose the cedar work.
ESV Zephaniah 2:14 Herds shall lie down in her midst, all kinds of beasts; even the owl and the hedgehog shall lodge in her capitals; a voice shall hoot in the window; devastation will be on the threshold; for her cedar work will be laid bare.
NIV Zephaniah 2:14 Flocks and herds will lie down there, creatures of every kind. The desert owl and the screech owl will roost on her columns. Their calls will echo through the windows, rubble will be in the doorways, the beams of cedar will be exposed.
NLT Zephaniah 2:14 The proud city will become a pasture for flocks and herds, and all sorts of wild animals will settle there. The desert owl and screech owl will roost on its ruined columns, their calls echoing through the gaping windows. Rubble will block all the doorways, and the cedar paneling will be exposed to the weather.
NRS Zephaniah 2:14 Herds shall lie down in it, every wild animal; the desert owl and the screech owl shall lodge on its capitals; the owl shall hoot at the window, the raven croak on the threshold; for its cedar work will be laid bare.
NJB Zephaniah 2:14 Flocks will rest inside there, so will wild animals; pelican and porcupine will nest round her cornices at night; the owl will hoot at the window and the raven croak on the doorstep -- for the cedar has been torn down.
NAB Zephaniah 2:14 In her midst shall settle in droves all the wild life of the hollows; The screech owl and the desert owl shall roost in her columns; Their call shall resound from the window, the raven's croak from the doorway.
YLT Zephaniah 2:14 And crouched in her midst have droves, Every beast of the nation, Both pelican and hedge-hog in her knobs lodge, A voice doth sing at the window, 'Destruction is at the threshold, For the cedar-work is exposed.'
- flocks (KJV): Zep 2:6 Isa 13:19-22 34:11-17 Rev 18:2
- cormorant (KJV): or, pelican
- upper lintels (KJV): or, knops, or chapiters, Am 9:1
- for he shall uncover (KJV): or, when he hath uncovered
- the cedar (KJV): Jer 22:14
THE DESOLATION
OF NINEVEH
Flocks will lie down in her midst, All beasts which range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work - This is much like the description Isaiah prophesied against Babylon writing "And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, Nor will shepherds make their flocks lie down there. But desert creatures will lie down there, And their houses will be full of owls; Ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there. Hyenas will howl in their fortified towers And jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her fateful time also will soon come And her days will not be prolonged." (Isaiah 13:19-22+)
NET NOTE - Heb “flocks.” The Hebrew word can refer to both flocks of sheep and herds of cattle.
NET NOTE on pelican - The Hebrew text reads here גַּם־קָאַת גַּם־קִפֹּד (gam-qa’at gam-qippod). The term קָאַת refers to some type of bird (see Lev 11:18; Deut 14:17) that was typically found near ruins (Isa 34:11); one of the most common translations is “owl” (cf. NEB “horned owl”; NIV, NRSV “desert owl”; contra NASB “pelican”). The term קִפֹּד may also refer to a type of bird (cf. NEB “ruffed bustard”; NIV, NRSV “screech owl”). Some suggest a rodent may be in view (cf. NASB “hedgehog”); this is not unreasonable, for a rodent or some other small animal would be able to sleep in the tops of pillars which would be lying in the ruins of the fallen buildings.
Zephaniah 2:15 This is the exultant city Which dwells securely, Who says in her heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” How she has become a desolation, A resting place for beasts! Everyone who passes by her will hiss And wave his hand in contempt.
KJV Zephaniah 2:15 This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
BGT Zephaniah 2:15 αὕτη ἡ πόλις ἡ φαυλίστρια ἡ κατοικοῦσα ἐπ᾽ ἐλπίδι ἡ λέγουσα ἐν καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς ἐγώ εἰμι καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν μετ᾽ ἐμὲ ἔτι πῶς ἐγενήθη εἰς ἀφανισμόν νομὴ θηρίων πᾶς ὁ διαπορευόμενος δι᾽ αὐτῆς συριεῖ καὶ κινήσει τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ
LXE Zephaniah 2:15 This is the scornful city that dwells securely, that says in her heart, I am, and there is no longer any to be after me: how is she become desolate, a habitation of wild beasts! every one that passes through her shall hiss, and shake his hands.
NET Zephaniah 2:15 This is how the once-proud city will end up– the city that was so secure. She thought to herself, "I am unique! No one can compare to me!" What a heap of ruins she has become, a place where wild animals live! Everyone who passes by her taunts her and shakes his fist.
CSB Zephaniah 2:15 This is the self-assured city that lives in security, that thinks to herself: I exist, and there is no one else. What a desolation she has become, a place for wild animals to lie down! Everyone who passes by her jeers and shakes his fist.
ESV Zephaniah 2:15 This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, "I am, and there is no one else." What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.
NIV Zephaniah 2:15 This is the carefree city that lived in safety. She said to herself, "I am, and there is none besides me." What a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts! All who pass by her scoff and shake their fists.
NLT Zephaniah 2:15 This is the boisterous city, once so secure. "I am the greatest!" it boasted. "No other city can compare with me!" But now, look how it has become an utter ruin, a haven for wild animals. Everyone passing by will laugh in derision and shake a defiant fist.
NRS Zephaniah 2:15 Is this the exultant city that lived secure, that said to itself, "I am, and there is no one else"? What a desolation it has become, a lair for wild animals! Everyone who passes by it hisses and shakes the fist.
NJB Zephaniah 2:15 This is what the city will be like, once living happy and carefree and thinking to itself, 'I have no rival -- not I!' And what will it be now? A ruin, a lair for wild beasts to rest in, and everyone who passes by will whistle and throw up his hands.
NAB Zephaniah 2:15 Is this the exultant city that dwelt secure; That told herself, "There is no other than I!" How has she become a waste, a lair for wild beasts? Whoever passes by her hisses, and shakes his fist!
YLT Zephaniah 2:15 This is the exulting city that is dwelling confidently, That is saying in her heart, 'I am, and beside me there is none,' How hath she been for a desolation, A crouching-place for beasts, Every one passing by her doth hiss, He doth shake his hand!
- the rejoicing (KJV): Isa 10:12-14 22:2 47:7 Rev 18:7-10
- I am (KJV): Isa 47:8 Eze 28:2,9 29:3
- how is (KJV): Isa 14:4,5 La 1:1 2:1 Rev 18:10-19
- every (KJV): 1Ki 9:7,8 Job 27:23 Ps 52:6,7 La 2:15 Eze 27:36 Na 3:19 Mt 27:39
This is the exultant city Which dwells securely, Who says in her heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” How she has become a desolation, A resting place for beasts! Everyone who passes by her will hiss And wave his hand in contempt.
HCSB - God will judge each self-assured city (Assyria, v. 15; Babylon, Isa 47:8-10) that makes God-like claims such as I exist, and there is no one else (cp. Isa 45:5,6,19,21).