Zephaniah 2:8
What does Zephaniah 2:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 2:8 means
God declares He has heard Moab’s reproach and Ammon’s revilings—insults not merely against Judah, but against God, since they target “my people” and encroach on their border. Pride expressed as mockery and opportunism is not forgotten. The Lord is neither deaf nor indifferent to how His people are treated. This is a personal affront to the covenant God who guards His inheritance. Their boasting against Israel’s boundary reflects hostility to God’s promises. The verse lays the charge plainly so that the coming sentence will be seen as measured justice. God’s response is not impulsive; it answers specific arrogance and injury.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My ears have been open to the bitter words of Moab and the words of shame of the children of Ammon, which they have said against my people, lifting themselves up against the limit of their land.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the revilings of the sons of Ammon, Wherewith they reproached My people, And magnify <FI>themselves<Fi> against their border.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the blasphemies of the children of Ammon, with which they reproached my people, and have magnified themselves upon their borders.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, wherewith they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.
Context
With Philistia addressed, the prophecy pivots to the eastern neighbors, Moab and Ammon—longstanding rivals with a history of taunts and border pressures. Verse 8 states the offense. Verse 9 will announce their fate in shocking terms, and verse 10 will specify the root cause—pride against the people of Jehovah. This structure shows that God’s judgments have moral reasons, not arbitrary animosity.
v.7And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed their flocks thereupon; in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening; for Jehovah their God will visit them, and bring back their captivity.
v.8This passage
v.9Therefore as I live, saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, a possession of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall make a prey of them, and the remnant of my nation shall inherit them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 83:4
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; That the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
- Ezekiel 36:2
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because the enemy hath said against you, Aha! and, The ancient high places are ours in possession;
- Amos 1:13
Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they may enlarge their border.
- Jeremiah 48:27
For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for as often as thou speakest of him, thou waggest the head.
- Ezekiel 25:3
and say unto the children of Ammon, Hear the word of the Lord Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was made desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity:
- Jeremiah 49:1
Of the children of Ammon. Thus saith Jehovah: Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth Malcam possess Gad, and his people dwell in the cities thereof?
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