Zephaniah 2:5 kjv
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.
Zephaniah 2:5 nkjv
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: "I will destroy you; So there shall be no inhabitant."
Zephaniah 2:5 niv
Woe to you who live by the sea, you Kerethite people; the word of the LORD is against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines. He says, "I will destroy you, and none will be left."
Zephaniah 2:5 esv
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.
Zephaniah 2:5 nlt
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.
Zephaniah 2 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zephaniah 2:4 | For Gaza will be deserted | Judgment on Philistine cities |
| Jeremiah 47:1-7 | Judgment on Philistines | Prophecy against Philistia |
| Amos 1:6-8 | Gaza will be stripped bare | God's judgment on surrounding nations |
| Isaiah 14:29-31 | Philistia will be destroyed | Prophecy against Philistia |
| Ezekiel 25:15-17 | Vengeance on Philistines | God's judgment on Edom and Philistines |
| Revelation 18:1-3 | Babylon's judgment echoed in Philistine fate | Universal judgment imagery |
| Psalm 11:5 | The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked | Divine justice and retribution |
| Proverbs 17:15 | Justifying the wicked and condemning the just | God's righteousness in judgment |
| Isaiah 5:30 | Nations shall look to the earth, and behold. | Result of judgment; land laid waste |
| Jeremiah 6:15 | They were not ashamed | The impenitent facing judgment |
| Jeremiah 8:12 | They were not ashamed of their shame | Similar outcome for impenitence |
| Psalm 74:5-8 | Enemies defiling God's sanctuary | Opposition to God leading to destruction |
| Psalm 83:13-16 | Defeat and scattering of enemies | Divine intervention against enemies |
| Isaiah 11:12 | Gathering scattered Israel | Contrast to scattering of enemies |
| Lamentations 1:7 | Jerusalem in its distress | Imagery of desolate cities |
| Nahum 2:10 | Nineveh's destruction | Destruction of wicked nations |
| Joel 3:4 | Judgment on Tyre and Sidon | Judgment on coastal cities |
| Habakkuk 2:6-7 | Woes against nations | The eventual ruin of oppressors |
| Mark 12:40 | Example of hypocrites receiving greater condemnation | Divine reckoning for wrongdoings |
| Luke 21:23-24 | Jerusalem's judgment | Future desolation and scattering |
| Romans 2:1-6 | God's judgment is according to truth | Universal accountability to God |
| 2 Peter 2:6 | Sodom and Gomorrah as examples | Historic instances of divine judgment |
Zephaniah 2 verses
Zephaniah 2 5 Meaning
This verse declares the impending desolation of the Philistine coastlands. The inhabitants, specifically those of Ashkelon and its surrounding territories, will be utterly destroyed, leaving behind only emptiness. The specific mention of "no inhabitant" emphasizes the completeness of the divine judgment.
Zephaniah 2 5 Context
Zephaniah chapter 2 prophesies judgment against various surrounding nations. Verse 5 specifically targets the Philistines, a coastal people with a long history of animosity towards Israel. This judgment is a consequence of their pride, oppression, and potentially their idolatrous practices. The Philistines, situated on the Mediterranean coast, were significant regional powers known for their martial prowess. The prophecy likely reflects the historical realities of territorial conflict and the desire for divine retribution against those who wronged God's people. The overarching theme of the chapter is God's universal sovereignty and His intent to judge all nations, bringing about a time of judgment preceding restoration.
Zephaniah 2 5 Word Analysis
- Woe: (Hebrew: הוֹי - hōy) - An exclamation of grief, sorrow, or lament. It is a strong expression of impending doom and disaster.
- to you: (Hebrew: לָכֶם - lāḵem) - Refers to the inhabitants of the Philistine territory.
- inhabitants: (Hebrew: יֹשְׁבֵי - yōšəḇê) - Those who dwell in a particular place.
- of the seacoast: (Hebrew: חֶבֶל - ḥēḇel) - Refers to the territory along the coast, encompassing the land of the Philistines. This term can also imply a measuring rope or district.
- the land of the Philistines: (Hebrew: פְּלִשְׁתִּים - Pəlištîm) - The geographical region inhabited by the Philistines.
- I will destroy you: (Hebrew: וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּי - wəhišmǝḏǝtî) - A strong declaration of annihilation and complete eradication. The root implies complete destruction, removal, or devastation.
- so that: (Hebrew: מִבְּלִי - mibbley) - Indicates a consequence or result.
- there is no inhabitant: (Hebrew: אֵין יֹשֵׁב - ’ên yōšēḇ) - Signifies utter desolation and emptiness; the cessation of human presence.
Words-Group Analysis
- "Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast, the land of the Philistines": This group of words establishes the specific target of God's judgment, highlighting their geographical location and identity. The "woe" signals divine wrath against them for their actions.
- "I will destroy you; so that there is no inhabitant": This phrase conveys the severity and finality of the impending destruction. It emphasizes total obliteration, leaving the land void of people.
Zephaniah 2 5 Bonus Section
The prophecy against the Philistines in Zephaniah 2:4-5 is part of a broader judgment against nations that oppose God and His people. This theme is consistent throughout the Old Testament prophets. The ultimate fulfillment of such judgments is often understood in the context of God's final cleansing of the earth from wickedness and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, as anticipated in the New Testament. The mention of Ashkelon specifically in verse 4, followed by the broader "land of the Philistines" in verse 5, demonstrates the systematic and comprehensive nature of God's impending wrath. The absence of an "inhabitant" highlights the sovereignty of God over land and people.
Zephaniah 2 5 Commentary
Zephaniah announces divine judgment upon the Philistines, a people who had historically troubled Israel. The pronouncement of "woe" is a grave declaration of impending ruin and desolation. God declares He will utterly destroy their coastal land, so much so that no one will live there. This is not a temporary setback but a complete removal, emphasizing the thoroughness of divine justice. It serves as a warning that even powerful nations are accountable to God and that oppressive actions have severe consequences. This judgment prefigures a future period when the land of the Philistines will be purified, preparing for a restored order.