Zephaniah 2:5
What does Zephaniah 2:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 2:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 2:5 means
The Lord addresses the “inhabitants of the sea-coast,” identified with the Cherethites and the larger land of the Philistines, and declares, “I will destroy thee.” This is not mere geopolitics; it is “the word of Jehovah” against persistent opposition. Calling Philistia “Canaan” invokes ancient enmity and idolatry. The outcome is severe: empty land with no inhabitant. God confronts the entrenched powers of the coastland and cuts them down. The woe shows that those who define themselves by hostility to God’s people and presumptuous security will not stand when God arises. His decree reduces bustling ports to deserted shores.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Woe 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the Lord is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Woe 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Sorrow to the people living by the sea, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of the Lord is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines; I will send destruction on you till there is no one living in you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Ho! O inhabitants of the sea-coast, Nation of the Cherethites, A word of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines, And I have destroyed thee without an inhabitant.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Woe to you that inhabit the sea coast, O nation of reprobates: the word of the Lord upon you, O Chanaan, the land of the Philistines, and I will destroy thee, so that there shall not be an inhabitant.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea-coast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Jehovah is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: I will destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant;
Context
This woe builds directly on verse 4’s listing of Philistine cities. It clarifies the agent—Jehovah Himself—and the scope—total depopulation. The next two verses (6–7) reveal what follows such devastation: the land’s transformation into simple grazing grounds and its reassignment to Judah’s remnant. The arc from doom to a quiet, pastoral future contrasts human pride with God’s patient restoration of His people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 3:1
Hear this word that Jehovah hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying,
- Zephaniah 3:6
I have cut off nations; their battlements are desolate; I have made their streets waste, so that none passeth by; their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.
- Judges 3:3
namely, the five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entrance of Hamath.
- Jeremiah 47:7
How canst thou be quiet, seeing Jehovah hath given thee a charge? Against Ashkelon, and against the sea-shore, there hath he appointed it.
- Amos 5:1
Hear ye this word which I take up for a lamentation over you, O house of Israel.
- Isaiah 14:30
And the first-born of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety; and I will kill thy root with famine, and thy remnant shall be slain.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Zephaniah 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Zephaniah 2.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Meekness
Explore biblical teachings on meekness, a Christ-like virtue characterized by humility, gentleness, and patient strength.
Topic
Bible Verses About Silence Before God
The Bible speaks of the importance of silence before God, encouraging reverent waiting and attentiveness to His voice. Quiet contemplation allows us to draw closer to Him and understand His will.