Zephaniah 2 – “Impending Doom for Israel’s Neighbors”

dead sea saltHebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Yahweh urges the Israelites to seek righteousness before the Day of Yahweh arrives. Yahweh warns Philistia, Ammon, Moab, Ethiopia, and Assyria about their impending doom.

II. Photo

Moab and Ammon will be destroyed: “Moab shall become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah: Clumps of weeds and patches of salt, and desolation evermore.” (v. 9)

III. Select Verses

3: Seek the LORD, All you humble of the land Who have fulfilled His law; Seek righteousness, Seek humility. Perhaps you will find shelter On the day of the LORD’s anger.

4: Indeed, Gaza shall be deserted And Ashkelon desolate; Ashdod’s people shall be expelled in broad daylight, And Ekron shall be uprooted.

8-9:  I have heard the insults of Moab And the jeers of the Ammonites, Who have insulted My people And gloated over their country.  Assuredly, as I live — declares the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel — Moab shall become like Sodom And the Ammonites like Gomorrah: Clumps of weeds and patches of salt, And desolation evermore. The remnant of My people shall plunder them, The remainder of My nation shall possess them.

15: Is this the gay city [Nineveh] That dwelt secure, That thought in her heart, “I am, and there is none but me”? Alas, she is become a waste, A lair of wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her Hisses and gestures with his hand.

IV. Outline

1-3. Seek righteousness before the day of YHWH comes

4-7. Impending doom for Philistia

8-10. Impending doom for Moab and Ammon

11. All peoples will worship YHWH

12. Impending doom for Ethiopia

13-15. Impending doom for Assyria and its capital Nineveh

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

Photo copied from http://www.8thingstodo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Dead-Sea-Jordan-Lowest-point-on-Earth.jpg