Zephaniah 1 2

Zephaniah 1:2 kjv

I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.

Zephaniah 1:2 nkjv

"I will utterly consume everything From the face of the land," Says the LORD;

Zephaniah 1:2 niv

"I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth," declares the LORD.

Zephaniah 1:2 esv

"I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth," declares the LORD.

Zephaniah 1:2 nlt

"I will sweep away everything
from the face of the earth," says the LORD.

Zephaniah 1 verses

Zephaniah 1 2 Meaning

Zephaniah 1:2 is a profound divine declaration initiating the prophet Zephaniah’s message. It expresses the LORD's absolute intention to bring a complete and sweeping judgment upon the earth, signifying a comprehensive eradication of all things. This serves as an immediate and severe warning, establishing the pervasive theme of divine wrath and impending desolation due to sin, primarily targeting Judah but with universal implications.

Zephaniah 1 2 Context

Zephaniah chapter 1 begins immediately with a stark declaration of God's universal judgment, setting a severe tone for the entire prophetic book. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah (c. 640-609 BC) in Judah, a period characterized by initial religious reform but deeply rooted spiritual decline and idolatry from previous reigns (Manasseh and Amon). Despite Josiah's efforts, the nation remained largely steeped in pagan practices (worship of Baal, Molech, heavenly hosts), social injustice, and syncretism, which stirred the LORD's wrath. Verse 2 functions as the overture to this judgment oracle, indicating that the coming desolation will be unprecedented and allencompassing, targeting not only the wicked inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem but extending to all creation. It directly foreshadows the specific judgments detailed in the subsequent verses (Zephaniah 1:3-18) against those who have abandoned the LORD. This declaration is a polemic against the false security felt by the people and the impotence of their pagan gods, asserting Yahweh's supreme power over all existence.

Zephaniah 1 2 Word analysis

• I: Refers to Yahweh (יהוה, YHWH), the covenant God of Israel, who is the speaker in "declares the LORD." This establishes divine authority and direct pronouncement, signifying that the judgment is a personal, sovereign act of God.
• will utterly sweep away: (Hebrew: אסף אסף, asof asep). This uses an infinitive absolute construct with the finite verb, a strong Hebrew grammatical emphasis for intensity, certainty, and completeness.
  • Asof (אָסֹף): To gather, collect, remove.
  • Asep (אָסֵף): To gather, remove.
  • The repetition "sweep away, I will sweep away" indicates an absolute, comprehensive, and unavoidable action, signifying a complete and decisive removal or eradication. It conveys the idea of total elimination, leaving nothing behind. This term can imply a sudden removal.
• everything: (Hebrew: הַכֹּל, hakol). This definite article "the" combined with "all/whole" emphasizes the totality and universality of the judgment. It leaves no exception, signaling that no aspect of creation will be untouched.
• from the face of the earth: (Hebrew: מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, me'al p'nei ha'adamah). This specifies the extent of the judgment.
  • Me'al (מֵעַל): From above, upon.
  • P'nei (פְּנֵי): Face, surface.
  • Ha'adamah (הָאֲדָמָה): The ground, the earth, the land.
  • This phrase indicates a widespread, visible, and comprehensive judgment affecting the entire terrestrial realm. It echoes Genesis accounts of judgment, particularly the flood.
• declares the LORD: (Hebrew: נְאֻם־יְהוָה, ne'um Yahweh). This is a standard prophetic formula authenticating the message.
  • Ne'um (נְאֻם): Utterance, declaration, oracle.
  • Yahweh (יְהוָה): The proper name of God, revealing His personal involvement and covenant fidelity, which in this context extends to divine justice for broken covenants.
  • This phrase emphasizes the divine origin, certainty, and authoritative nature of the judgment, signifying that what is spoken by God is certain to occur.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I will utterly sweep away everything": This phrase asserts God's supreme authority and decisive action. The choice of "sweep away" over mere "destroy" suggests a comprehensive clearing or removal, implying that nothing will be left of the offending elements or inhabitants. This indicates a purposeful and total act of divine intervention, leaving no room for escape or exception.
• "from the face of the earth": This specifies the vast and universal scope of the judgment. It underscores that the impending wrath is not limited to a specific region or group but is a global or terrestrial cleansing, mirroring the scope of the Noahic flood and extending to all who dwell on the earth. It is a judgment evident across the entire created order.
• "declares the LORD": This conclusive phrase acts as an unalterable seal on the preceding declaration. It reiterates that this is a direct, authoritative word from God Himself, the one who possesses absolute power and perfect justice. This formula eliminates any doubt about the veracity or inevitability of the pronouncement.

Zephaniah 1 2 Bonus section

This opening declaration sets the stage for a unique "Day of the Lord" narrative within Zephaniah, not merely a localized judgment on Judah but one that extends to all humanity and creation (man, beast, fish, birds—Zep 1:3). This cosmic dimension underscores God's dominion not just over human affairs but over the natural order as well. The language of "sweeping away" suggests an act of intense purification and cleansing, preparing the way for a restored, pure creation where God's remnant can dwell. It echoes primeval chaos being restored to order and implies that ultimate order will only come after the chaos of judgment is complete. This declaration is a stark reminder of God’s absolute holiness which cannot tolerate sin indefinitely on the face of His creation.

Zephaniah 1 2 Commentary

Zephaniah 1:2 is a cataclysmic opening, plunging the reader directly into the impending "Day of the LORD." This verse serves as a direct, unvarnished statement of divine intention: the LORD will execute a comprehensive judgment that will sweep away all existing order and life from the earth. The repetition "utterly sweep away" underscores the completeness and certainty of this divine act, conveying a sense of finality and no possibility of reprieve for those caught in its path. It is not just destruction but an active removal or clearing, indicating that God will personally cleanse His creation of wickedness. This declaration functions as both a dire warning to the idolatrous and unjust people of Judah, revealing the consequences of their rebellion, and a profound theological statement affirming God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the power to de-create or purge it. It calls for deep reflection on humanity's accountability before a holy and just God.