Zephaniah 2 6

Zephaniah 2:6 kjv

And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

Zephaniah 2:6 nkjv

The seacoast shall be pastures, With shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks.

Zephaniah 2:6 niv

The land by the sea will become pastures having wells for shepherds and pens for flocks.

Zephaniah 2:6 esv

And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures, with meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks.

Zephaniah 2:6 nlt

The Philistine coast will become a wilderness pasture,
a place of shepherd camps
and enclosures for sheep and goats.

Zephaniah 2 verses

Zephaniah 2 6 Meaning

Zephaniah 2:6 prophesies the radical transformation of the Philistine seacoast, particularly focusing on the cities mentioned in Zephaniah 2:4-5, into an unexpected rural landscape. What was once a densely populated and militarily significant area will become a humble pastoral land, characterized by simple grazing fields for flocks and basic dwellings for shepherds. This signifies a complete reversal of their urbanized power and influence, serving as a sign of divine judgment.

Zephaniah 2 6 Context

Zephaniah chapter 2 serves as a wider prophecy of God's judgment against surrounding nations before turning back to Judah in Zephaniah chapter 3. Verses 1-3 call Judah to repentance to perhaps be hidden on the day of the Lord's wrath. Following this, Zephaniah directly addresses Philistia in Zephaniah 2:4-5, specifying the desolation of its key cities (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron). Verse 6 specifically elaborates on the complete transformation of this prosperous coastal land, emphasizing its reduction to a desolate yet pastoral state. This re-envisioned landscape prepares the ground for the promised return and re-settlement of Judah's remnant in the following verse, Zephaniah 2:7, underscoring God's ultimate purpose for His covenant people.

Zephaniah 2 6 Word analysis

• And the seacoast (וְהָיָה חֶבֶל הַיָּם - veha-yah chevel ha-yam):
  • חֶבֶל (chevel): Primarily means "cord," "rope," "line," often used to denote a measured portion of land, an "allotment" or "region." Here, "region" or "strip," specifically the coastal strip. It carries connotations of being delimited or apportioned by divine hand.
  • הַיָּם (ha-yam): "The sea." Together, "the strip/region of the sea," referring to the Philistine coastal plain, once highly fertile, strategic, and populated with bustling cities.
  • Significance: The once vibrant, urban, and militarily strong Philistine coast is envisioned not as completely destroyed but as completely redefined—measured out by God for a new purpose, specifically pastoral rather than geopolitical.
• shall be pastures (מִכְרֵה רֹעִים - mikhreh ro'im):
  • מִכְרֵה (mikhreh): This is the plural form of mikrah, meaning "a place for pasture," or "grazing ground." The root karah implies digging or making a depression, suggesting a natural hollow or a scooped-out place for water/feeding.
  • רֹעִים (ro'im): "Shepherds." The full phrase could be understood as "pasture of shepherds."
  • Significance: A dramatic downgrade from a place of advanced civilization and trade to simple grazing land. It indicates both desolation (of cities) and new utility, suggesting sustenance in a simple, fundamental way, often a motif for divine provision in unexpected places.
• with cottages for shepherds (וּגְדֵרוֹת צֹאן - u'gederot tso'n):
  • וּגְדֵרוֹת (u'gederot): "And folds" or "and enclosures/walls." From the root gadar, to "wall up," "build a wall." These are temporary or simple structures for sheltering flocks, not permanent, robust buildings.
  • צֹאן (tso'n): "Flocks" (sheep or goats).
  • Significance: The Philistine urban landscape (palaces, fortified cities) will be utterly replaced by humble shelters suitable only for animals. This transformation points to utter depopulation and reduction of status.
• and folds for flocks: This exact phrasing does not directly translate from u'gederot tso'n. The KJV translates "pastures for shepherds and folds for flocks," combining "pastures" (mikreh) with "shepherds" and "folds" (gederot) with "flocks." Other translations, like ESV/NIV, say "pastureland for shepherds and pens for flocks," which better captures the sense of mikhreh being pastures and gederot being folds/pens. My initial interpretation of "cottages for shepherds" must be corrected based on mikhreh ro'im (pastureland for shepherds) and u'gederot tso'n (and pens for flocks). The ASV/NASB for Zephaniah 2:6 reads "The seacoast shall become pastures, with caves for shepherds and folds for flocks." Here, "cottages" in the original query or the use of "caves" by some translations might refer to keroth, which appears in the Masoretic Text (KJV uses 'cottages' and ASV uses 'caves', though some translations combine elements or interpret more loosely).
• Let's re-analyze Zephaniah 2:6 (Masoretic Text) to be precise: "וְהָיָה חֶבֶל הַיָּם מִכְרֵה כְרֹת רֹעִים וְגִדְרוֹת צֹאן׃"
  • מִכְרֵה (mikreh): "Pasture."
  • כְרֹת (kerot): This is where the divergence exists. Some understand it as "places dug out," hence "caves" (ASV) or "cottages" (KJV, implying very simple, dug-out dwellings or huts), associating them with shepherds. Others integrate it more loosely. The literal sense suggests pits or dug-out places.
  • רֹעִים (ro'im): "Shepherds."
  • וְגִדְרוֹת (vegidrot): "And enclosures/folds."
  • צֹאן (tso'n): "Flocks."
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • חֶבֶל הַיָּם מִכְרֵה כְרֹת רֹעִים: "The seacoast shall be pasture, with caves (or simple dwellings) for shepherds." This phrase highlights the radical shift. The term keroth ("caves/pits/cottages") implies extremely rudimentary shelter, emphasizing the total absence of proper housing or civic infrastructure. This transformation serves to contrast with Philistia's previous sophistication and power. It's a land reverted to its most basic, pre-urban state.
  • וְגִדְרוֹת צֹאן: "and folds for flocks." This phrase reinforces the new primary function of the land. Instead of naval docks, commercial markets, or military garrisons, there will be simple pens for animals. The scene speaks of a quiet, pastoral life, a stark spiritual contrast to the bustling, often idolatrous activities of the Philistines. This reduction highlights divine judgment as a leveling force.

Zephaniah 2 6 Bonus section

The transformation described in Zephaniah 2:6 is an act of "divine irony." The Philistines, who often oppressed Israel, are stripped of their power and reduced to a state reminiscent of the pastoral roots of ancient Israel before monarchy and settled life. This serves not only as judgment but also as preparation for the remnant of Judah. The idea of "pastures" and "folds" invokes imagery of secure divine provision, often used to describe God's care for His people (Ps 23). Thus, the very place of Philistine strength becomes a place of peaceful, humble security under God's hand for His future people. This reflects a theological pattern in the Prophets where judgment on hostile nations creates space and security for Israel's restoration.

Zephaniah 2 6 Commentary

Zephaniah 2:6 delivers a vivid picture of divine judgment upon the Philistine coast. The once formidable and prosperous maritime region, known for its strategic cities and commercial prowess, is prophesied to be reduced to a barren yet functional pastureland. The description is precise in its reversal: sophisticated urban centers replaced by simple shepherd's grounds, grand dwellings by basic caves or cottages, and bustling human activity by the quiet presence of grazing flocks within their folds. This is not total annihilation but a dramatic reversal of their identity and power structure, stripping away their glory and returning the land to a primitive state. This desolation, however, sets the stage for a new divine purpose. The very land that was defiled by pagan worship and Philistine pride will be made ready, purified, to serve as an inheritance or grazing land for the remnant of Judah (Zephaniah 2:7), underscoring God's unwavering covenant faithfulness amidst universal judgment. It teaches that God humbles the proud and reclaims His creation for His redemptive plan, ensuring His people find rest and security in His provision, even in former enemy territory.