Zephaniah 2:7 kjv
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.
Zephaniah 2:7 nkjv
The coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; They shall feed their flocks there; In the houses of Ashkelon they shall lie down at evening. For the LORD their God will intervene for them, And return their captives.
Zephaniah 2:7 niv
That land will belong to the remnant of the people 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.
Zephaniah 2:7 esv
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.
Zephaniah 2:7 nlt
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.
Zephaniah 2 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 26:6 | I will grant peace in the land... none will make you afraid. | Promise of peace and security in the land. |
| Deut 30:3-5 | ...the LORD your God will bring you back from captivity... will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed... | Restoration from captivity and return to the promised land. |
| Judg 11:24 | ...will you not possess what Chemosh your god gives you to possess? And all that the LORD our God has dispossessed before us, we will possess. | Divine provision of conquered territory. |
| Isa 11:11-12 | In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time... gather the remnant of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. | Gathering of the remnant from diverse lands. |
| Isa 32:18 | My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. | Security and peaceful dwelling for God's people. |
| Isa 37:31-32 | And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward... out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant... | The preservation and flourishing of Judah's remnant. |
| Jer 29:10-14 | For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you and bring you back to this place... I will turn back your captivity... | God's visitation leading to restoration from captivity. |
| Ezek 34:15-16 | I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep... I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak... | God's active role as a shepherd for His people. |
| Ezek 34:25 | I will make with them a covenant of peace... | Divine covenant guaranteeing peace and security. |
| Mic 4:4 | They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid... | Idyllic picture of peace and security in the land. |
| Mic 7:18-19 | Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity... He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot... and hurl all our sins into the depths of the sea. | God's merciful visitation and restoration from sin/captivity. |
| Joel 3:20 | But Judah shall remain forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. | Enduring presence and prosperity of Judah. |
| Zech 9:5 | Ashkelon will see it and be afraid... for her expectation will be put to shame... | Ashkelon's downfall contrasted with Judah's future. |
| Zech 9:8 | Then I will encamp at my house as a guard... | God's protection for His people's dwelling. |
| Zech 9:10 | ...I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations... His dominion shall be from sea to sea... | Establishment of peace and universal reign. |
| Matt 25:34 | Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ | Inheritance of the Kingdom by the elect. |
| Luke 12:32 | Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. | Reassurance for the small remnant/flock receiving the Kingdom. |
| Acts 15:16-17 | After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name... | Apostolic interpretation of remnant and restoration, including Gentiles. |
| Heb 4:9-10 | So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God... for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. | Ultimate rest and security in God's presence. |
| Rev 7:17 | For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. | The Lamb as ultimate Shepherd providing for His people. |
Zephaniah 2 verses
Zephaniah 2 7 Meaning
Zephaniah 2:7 foretells a future where the territory of the Philistines, once hostile, will become a secure inheritance for the surviving remnant of Judah. This faithful remnant will find peace, provision, and safety there, specifically in the former dwelling places of Ashkelon. The verse culminates in the affirmation that the LORD their God will intervene to restore their fortunes, signifying His faithful care and the turning of their captivity. It is a powerful promise of divine reversal, turning judgment into ultimate blessing and establishing His people in peace.
Zephaniah 2 7 Context
Zephaniah 2:7 concludes a section of prophecy (Zeph 2:1-7) primarily directed at Judah, urging repentance and describing the coming day of the LORD. However, it specifically follows detailed prophecies of judgment against Philistine cities, including Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron, portraying their utter devastation. This immediate context highlights a sharp contrast: while these hostile nations are destroyed, their former territory is not left desolate but repurposed for the secure dwelling of Judah's faithful remnant. The verse thus pivots from the wrath of God against His enemies to His redemptive mercy towards His covenant people. Historically, Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah (late 7th century BC), a time after Manasseh's idolatry and during initial religious reforms. Judah was still threatened by larger empires, and idolatry was widespread. This promise of peace and inheritance would have provided a powerful counter-narrative of hope amidst impending judgment and foreign threats, a promise rooted in God's covenant faithfulness, despite their present unfaithfulness.
Zephaniah 2 7 Word analysis
- And (וְ - wə-): A simple connective "and," yet crucial. It links the preceding verses of severe judgment against Philistia directly to this surprising promise of blessing for Judah, signifying a direct causal relationship: the judgment of the wicked makes way for the salvation of the righteous.
- the coast (חֶבֶל - ḥeḇel): Literally means "rope" or "measuring line," and by extension, the portion or territory measured out. It refers here to the coastal plain previously occupied by the Philistines. The significance is that it highlights the divinely allotted portion for Israel (Deut 32:8-9) and God's role in determining national boundaries, particularly returning disputed territory to His people.
- shall be (יִהְיֶה - yihyeh): A simple future tense, conveying certainty. This is a prophetic declaration, not a mere possibility.
- for the remnant (לִשְׁאֵרִית - lišə’êrîṯ): She'arit is a significant theological concept. It denotes the small portion of Israel that survives divine judgment, preserved by God's grace. This remnant is not simply those who escape, but those who are faithful and on whom God bestows His future blessings, often carrying the spiritual hope of the nation (Isa 4:2, Mic 2:12, Zech 8:12).
- of the house of Judah (בֵּית יְהוּדָה - bêṯ Yehudah): "House" here signifies the family, lineage, or people, rather than a literal building. It specifies the southern kingdom, indicating God's particular focus on His chosen people despite their widespread sin.
- they shall feed (יִרְעוּ - yir‘u): From ra'ah, meaning "to pasture" or "to feed." This verb evokes pastoral imagery, symbolizing security, abundant provision, and peace. It implicitly positions the LORD as their shepherd, who leads them to green pastures (Ps 23:2, Isa 49:9-10).
- thereon (בָּהֶם - bāhem): In that specific territory that belonged to Philistia. This reinforces the idea of permanent, peaceful occupation of what was once enemy ground.
- In the houses (בָתִּים - bāttîm): The plural "houses" (rather than a single house or field) implies widespread security and re-establishment throughout the formerly hostile land. It suggests safe dwellings, places of residence.
- of Ashkelon (אַשְׁקְלוֹן - ’Ašqəlôn): A major Philistine city, singled out previously for destruction (Zeph 2:4). Mentioning it here creates a vivid image of reversal: what was a fortress of their enemy becomes a resting place for God's people. This signifies a complete victory and transformation of circumstances.
- shall they lie down (יִרְבָּצוּ - yirbāṣū): From rāvatz, referring to animals lying down to rest in peace and safety. It strongly conveys undisturbed tranquility, a lack of fear or threat, and deep security, even at a vulnerable time of day. This contrasts sharply with the state of siege and terror often associated with war-torn regions.
- in the evening (בָעֶרֶב - bā‘ereḇ): The time of twilight, when people and flocks would typically be vulnerable to predators or attack. This detail further underscores the absolute peace and security God provides; they can rest safely even when dangers are typically higher.
- for the LORD their God (כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם - kî Yahweh ’ělōhêhem): "For" (kî) introduces the reason for this coming blessing. The divine covenant name YHWH, linked with "their God" (Elohim), emphasizes His unique relationship with His people and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. He is the ultimate source and guarantee of their restoration.
- shall visit them (יִפְקְדֵם - yip̄qəḏêm): From paqad, meaning "to visit," "to attend to," or "to muster." It often carries a connotation of decisive intervention, either for judgment (Gen 50:24) or, as here, for blessing and redemption (Exod 3:16, Gen 21:1). It indicates active divine remembrance and care leading to action.
- and turn away their captivity (וְשָׁב אֶת־שְׁבוּתָם - wəšāḇ ’eṯ-šəḇûṯām): Literally, "return their returning/captives." This is an idiom referring to the complete restoration from a state of desolation, exile, or bondage to a state of prosperity and freedom. It denotes a turning point, a reversal of fortunes, often from punishment to blessing (Ps 14:7, Ezek 16:53).
Zephaniah 2 7 Bonus section
This verse encapsulates the cyclical nature of prophecy: judgment preceding ultimate blessing, destruction of enemies leading to peace for the faithful. The concept of "visiting" (paqad) can indeed have a dual aspect throughout scripture – it signifies divine attention which results in either judgment for the wicked or blessing for the righteous. Here, it is unequivocally for blessing. The reference to Ashkelon becoming a place for Judah to rest upon its ruin also carries symbolic weight beyond geographical ownership; it represents the ultimate victory of God's covenant purposes over all hostile powers that seek to oppress His people. This promise is partially fulfilled in the post-exilic return but finds its fullest spiritual and future fulfillment in the coming Messianic kingdom, where God's people (the spiritual remnant) will dwell in eternal peace under the King.
Zephaniah 2 7 Commentary
Zephaniah 2:7 is a profound promise of restoration and peace, striking a vivid contrast to the preceding verses of severe judgment against Philistine cities. It shifts from divine wrath to divine mercy, centered on the concept of the "remnant" (Hebrew: she'arit). This remnant of Judah, a chosen group preserved by God's grace despite the widespread apostasy and impending national judgment, will inherit the land that previously belonged to their enemies. The imagery of "feeding" and "lying down" in former Philistine dwellings, even "in the evening," signifies absolute peace, security, and abundance under God's shepherdly care. This promise is not simply a historical return from Babylonian exile but points to a more comprehensive, eschatological peace found in God's covenant faithfulness. The declaration that "the LORD their God shall visit them and turn away their captivity" underscores that this restoration is entirely a result of divine initiative, not human merit. It is a testimony to God's unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring their ultimate rest and well-being even after periods of discipline.