Zephaniah 1:14
What does Zephaniah 1:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 1:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 1:14 means
The “great day of Jehovah” is not far off; it rushes near. Its approach can be heard—“the voice of the day”—so vivid that even the mighty scream in bitter anguish. Strength will not save the strong. The emphasis on nearness serves as a wake-up call: delays in repentance are dangerous because God’s appointed day advances with speed. This day is more than a historical crisis; Scripture later gathers such language to describe the final unveiling of God’s judgment at Christ’s return. Here, the point is urgency and certainty. All human pride, planning, and power will melt before the voice of the Lord’s day.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of Jehovah; the mighty man crieth there bitterly.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of Jehovah; the mighty man crieth there bitterly.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and coming very quickly; the bitter day of the Lord is near, coming on more quickly than a man of war.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Near <FI>is<Fi> the great day of Jehovah, Near, and hasting exceedingly, The noise of the day of Jehovah, Bitterly shriek there doth a mighty one.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and exceeding swift: the voice of the day of the Lord is bitter, the mighty man shall there meet with tribulation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly. The voice of the day of Jehovah: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
Context
After listing specific consequences (verse 13), the prophet now broadens the lens. Verse 14 announces the day’s nearness and emotional impact on even the strongest. Verses 15–16 follow with a cascade of images describing that day’s character—wrath, darkness, alarm, and assault on fortified places. The movement heightens the sense of inevitability and gravity for the audience.
v.13And their wealth shall become a spoil, and their houses a desolation: yea, they shall build houses, but shall not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but shall not drink the wine thereof.
v.14This passage
v.15That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 8:2
And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said Jehovah unto me, The end is come upon my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more.
- Joel 2:1
Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
- Isaiah 66:6
A voice of tumult from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of Jehovah that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
- Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.
- Isaiah 33:7
Behold, their valiant ones cry without; the ambassadors of peace weep bitterly.
- Joel 1:15
Alas for the day! for the day of Jehovah is at hand, and as destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
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