Zephaniah 2:4

Translations

Modern

For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.

Traditional

For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

Literal

For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon as a desolation; they will drive out Ashdod at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.

Latin

Quia Gaza destructa erit, et Ascalon in desertum: Azotum in meridie ejicient, et Accaron eradicabitur.

Original

Hebrew

English

For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.

Notes

Zephaniah 2:4

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered the Philistine cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron. Gaza remained deserted, but the others recovered and continued into later times. Zephaniah does not mention Gath, the fifth major Philistine city (see 1 Samuel 6:17), which had either disappeared or become unimportant by Zephaniah’s time.

Zephaniah 2:4–3:20

Zephaniah first focuses on judging the foreign nations (Zephaniah 2:4–15). Then, he returns to judging Judah and Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:1–8). Finally, he describes God's plans for his purified and obedient people (Zephaniah 3:9–20).

Zephaniah 2:4–15

Zephaniah started his messages with the Philistines, whose kingdom was west of Judah (Zephaniah 2:4–7). He then addressed Moab and Ammon to the east (Zephaniah 2:8–11), and finally mentioned Cush (Ethiopia) to the south (2:12) and Assyria to the north (2:13–15).

Events

Prophecies of Zephaniahc. 610 BC

Related verses

Zechariah 9:5–7
Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited.
Amos 1:6–8
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population, delivering them up to Edom.
Jeremiah 47:1–7
This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza.
Jeremiah 25:20
…all the mixed tribes; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines: Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod;
Ezekiel 25:15–17
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, taking vengeance with malice of soul to destroy Judah with ancient hostility,
Jeremiah 15:8
I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. I will bring a destroyer at noon against the mothers of young men. I will suddenly bring upon them anguish and dismay.
Jeremiah 6:4
‘Prepare for battle against her; rise up, let us attack at noon. Woe to us, for the daylight is fading; the evening shadows grow long.
Psalm 91:6
…nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon.

Parallels

Jeremiah 47:1–7

Places

Ashdod: A major Philistine city, known for Dagon worship Ashkelon: A major Philistine city, often a target of prophecy Ekron: One of the five major Philistine city-states Gaza: Philistine city; Samson's exploits; Philip's ministry

Glossary

Ashdod, Ashdodite, Ashdothite Ashkelon Book of Zephaniah Ekron, Ekronites Gaza

Topics

Ashdod: Prophecies Concerning Ashkelon: Prophecies Concerning Ekron: Prophecies Against Gaza: Also Called Azzah: Prophecies Relating To Philistines: Prophecies Against The Philistines: Prophecies Respecting: Destruction and Desolation of Their Cities

Zephaniah 2:4

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