Zephaniah 2:4
What does Zephaniah 2:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 2:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 2:4 means
Zephaniah names Philistia’s key cities to portray total collapse: Gaza abandoned, Ashkelon ruined, Ashdod expelled even at noonday—broad daylight raids that show bold, unstoppable attackers—and Ekron uprooted, as if torn from the soil. The sequence signals thorough judgment on a long-hostile neighbor. God’s word reaches beyond Judah’s borders; those who relied on coastal fortresses and trade will find them empty. The verse warns that no human defense, schedule, or location can shield against the Lord’s decree. What He appoints will happen openly and decisively. The proud cities will be reduced to silence, their power base stripped away.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation; they shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation; they shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For Gaza will be given up and Ashkelon will become waste: they will send Ashdod out in the middle of the day, and Ekron will be uprooted.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For Gaza is forsaken, And Ashkelon <FI>is<Fi> for a desolation, Ashdod! at noon they do cast her forth, And Ekron is rooted up.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For Gaza shall be destroyed, and Ascalon shall be a desert, they shall cast out Azotus at noonday, and Accaron shall be rooted up.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For Gazah shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon shall be a desolation; they shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.
Context
Having urged Judah to repent, the prophet begins a series of judgments on surrounding nations, starting west with the Philistine pentapolis. Verse 4 sets the stage with vivid announcements against major cities. Verses 5–7 expand this by pronouncing woe on the seacoast, promising depopulation, then surprising restoration as pasturelands for Judah’s remnant. The shift from ruin to renewal will underline God’s sovereignty in both judgment and mercy.
v.3Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger.
v.4This passage
v.5Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea-coast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Jehovah is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines; I will destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 15:8
Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas; I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a destroyer at noonday: I have caused anguish and terrors to fall upon her suddenly.
- Jeremiah 47:1
The word of Jehovah that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.
- Jeremiah 25:20
and all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Gaza, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod;
- Psalms 91:6
For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
- Ezekiel 25:15
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with despite of soul to destroy with perpetual enmity;
- Zechariah 9:5
Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also, and shall be sore pained; and Ekron, for her expectation shall be put to shame; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
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