Zephaniah 1 14

Zephaniah 1:14 kjv

The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

Zephaniah 1:14 nkjv

The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out.

Zephaniah 1:14 niv

The great day of the LORD is near? near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.

Zephaniah 1:14 esv

The great day of the LORD is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there.

Zephaniah 1:14 nlt

"That terrible day of the LORD is near.
Swiftly it comes ?
a day of bitter tears,
a day when even strong men will cry out.

Zephaniah 1 verses

Zephaniah 1 14 Meaning

Zephaniah 1:14 declares the imminent and rapid arrival of "the great day of the LORD," portraying it as a time of intense and bitter suffering. It highlights the profound terror and despair that will engulf even the strongest, causing mighty warriors to abandon their usual boasts and cry out in anguish. This verse underscores the sudden, decisive, and overwhelming nature of divine judgment, shifting the traditional understanding of the "Day of the LORD" from a day of salvation for Israel to a day of dreadful wrath for the wicked.

Zephaniah 1 14 Context

Zephaniah's prophecy unfolds during the early reign of King Josiah in Judah (Zeph 1:1). At this time, Judah, despite some initial moves towards reform by the young Josiah, was still steeped in pervasive idolatry, syncretism, and moral corruption. The "Day of the LORD" is Zephaniah's central theme, which in earlier prophecies often signified God's intervention on behalf of Israel against its enemies. However, Zephaniah emphatically redefines this day, making it primarily a day of dreadful judgment against Judah for its apostasy, extending also to surrounding nations. Verse 14 intensifies the description of this approaching day, immediately following the divine declaration of comprehensive judgment upon Jerusalem for its pride and spiritual rebellion (Zeph 1:12-13), setting a tone of imminent, unavoidable, and terrifying wrath.

Zephaniah 1 14 Word analysis

• The great day (יוֹם יְהוָה הַגָּדוֹל, yom Yahweh haggadol):
  • יוֹם (yom): Hebrew for "day," but in prophetic contexts often refers to an epoch or a significant period of divine action and intervention, not merely a 24-hour period.
  • יְהוָה (Yahweh): The personal name of God, indicating His direct and active involvement. This is His day, emphasizing His sovereignty and righteous judgment.
  • הַגָּדוֹל (haggadol): "The great." Implies immense, terrible, and significant. This day is of unparalleled magnitude, not merely great in size but in its devastating impact and divine power. It sets the day apart as profoundly unique and fearsome.
• of the LORD (לַיהוָה, la-Yahweh): Emphasizes divine ownership and initiation. It is God's agenda, not human, highlighting His supreme authority in enacting judgment.
• is near (קָרוֹב, qarov): Denotes immediacy and imminence. The threat is not distant but rapidly approaching. This reflects a key prophetic warning, urging immediate repentance.
• near and coming quickly! (קָרוֹב וּמַהֵר מְאֹד, qarov u-maher me'od):
  • קָרוֹב (qarov): Repetition for emphasis on imminence, reinforcing the message that the judgment is at the door.
  • וּמַהֵר מְאֹד (u-maher me'od): "And quickly, very." The Hebrew word maher implies haste and speed. The addition of me'od ("very" or "exceedingly") amplifies the rapid, urgent nature of the event. It underscores that there is no time for delay or further apostasy; the window for repentance is closing. This intensifies the urgency of the prophet's message.
• The cry on the day of the LORD (קוֹל יוֹם יְהוָה, qol yom Yahweh):
  • קוֹל (qol): Means "voice," "sound," or "noise." Here, it specifically implies a "cry," "shout," or "wail" of distress and agony rather than a joyful sound.
• will be bitter (מַר, mar): Refers to the severe, harsh, and excruciating nature of the suffering experienced. It signifies deep sorrow, anguish, and despair, without hope. This is not a slight discomfort but profound misery.
• the warrior (שָׁם צָרַח גִּבּוֹר, sham tsarach gibbor):
  • שָׁם (sham): "There." Points to the location or context of the "Day of the LORD."
  • צָרַח (tsarach): "Cries out," "screams," or "shrieks." A loud, desperate cry of distress or pain.
  • גִּבּוֹר (gibbor): "Mighty man," "hero," "warrior." This is a figure known for strength, courage, and power. The fact that even the warrior will cry out implies the unprecedented terror and overwhelming nature of the judgment, as their usual might will be utterly useless and shattered. This is an ironic reversal of expectations, emphasizing the helplessness of all, regardless of strength.

• Words-Group analysis:
  • The great day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly!: This phrase is a powerful declaration of divine immediacy. The repetition of "near" (qarov) and the adverb "quickly" (maher) compounded with "very" (me'od) create a sense of unavoidable, rapid closure. It emphasizes God's sovereign control over time and His decisive intervention in history.
  • The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the warrior cries there: This passage uses strong sensory language to convey the depth of terror and despair. The "bitter cry" indicates profound anguish, while the "warrior's cry" subverts common expectations. Warriors are supposed to be brave and unyielding, but on this day, even they will be broken and resort to desperate wailing, showcasing the universality and overwhelming nature of God's wrath, rendering all human strength utterly impotent.

Zephaniah 1 14 Bonus section

The concept of "The Day of the LORD" evolves throughout the Hebrew Bible, sometimes referring to historical judgments (like the Babylonian invasion in Zephaniah's context) and sometimes to ultimate eschatological fulfillment. Zephaniah's use powerfully links the immediate, impending historical event to the broader theme of divine judgment on all sin, making the specific day of punishment for Judah a tangible foretaste of God's final justice. The prophet aims to strip away Judah's complacency and inspire immediate repentance by presenting a reversal of their anticipated divine intervention. Instead of Yahweh fighting for them, He will fight against them.

Zephaniah 1 14 Commentary

Zephaniah 1:14 stands as a stark and urgent prophetic warning. It intensifies the description of "the Day of the LORD" that has been central to Old Testament prophecy. No longer is it a distant eschatological event or merely a day of victory for Israel, but an impending, concrete, and terrible day of divine judgment primarily directed against a backsliding Judah. The emphasis on its "greatness" denotes its overwhelming and inescapable nature, signifying a day of monumental destruction and despair rather than one of triumph. The repetition of "near" combined with "coming quickly" communicates an intense urgency; there is no leisure for preparation or escape from its swift approach. The imagery of a "bitter cry" encapsulates the deep sorrow, anguish, and suffering that will be universally felt. The powerful and ironic detail that even the "warrior"—a symbol of human strength and resilience—will cry out in terror, powerfully illustrates that no human power or might will avail against the coming wrath. It highlights the absolute inability of humanity to stand before the overwhelming might of a righteous and judging God, stripping away any false sense of security or pride.