Zephaniah 2:13
What does Zephaniah 2:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 2:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 2:13 means
God stretches out His hand against the north, signaling direct action to topple Assyria and lay Nineveh waste, rendering it “dry like the wilderness.” The empire that once flooded nations will itself be parched and deserted. This prophecy confronted the pride of a superpower, showing that political might cannot withstand the Lord’s decree. Historically, Nineveh’s collapse would vindicate the prophet’s word. The image of wilderness underscores total reversal—from bustling capital to barren emptiness. When God targets the stronghold of human arrogance, even the strongest walls and deepest resources cannot secure survival.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like the wilderness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like the wilderness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And his hand will be stretched out against the north, for the destruction of Assyria; and he will make Nineveh unpeopled and dry like the waste land.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And He stretcheth His hand against the north, And doth destroy Asshur, And he setteth Nineveh for a desolation, A dry land like a wilderness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he will stretch out his hand upon the north, and will destroy Assyria: and he will make the beautiful city a wilderness, and as a place not passable, and as a desert.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, a place of drought like the wilderness.
Context
This verse begins the detailed oracle against Assyria that continues through verse 15. It follows the brief word against Ethiopia and balances the chapter’s tour of the nations. The next verse will paint the eerie aftermath in Nineveh—wildlife inhabiting the ruins and fine woodwork exposed. The conclusion in verse 15 will interpret the fall as judgment on self-deifying pride, completing the chapter’s theme.
v.12Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
v.13This passage
v.14And herds shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the pelican and the porcupine shall lodge in the capitals thereof; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he hath laid bare the cedar-work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nahum 3:15
There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off; it shall devour thee like the canker-worm: make thyself many as the canker-worm; make thyself many as the locust.
- Isaiah 10:12
Wherefore it shall come to pass, that, when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
- Psalms 83:8
Assyria also is joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. [Selah
- Nahum 2:10
She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and anguish is in all loins, and the faces of them all are waxed pale.
- Ezekiel 31:3
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a forest-like shade, and of high stature; and its top was among the thick boughs.
- Isaiah 10:16
Therefore will the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory there shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire.
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