Zephaniah 2:9
What does Zephaniah 2:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 2:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 2:9 means
God swears by His own life—“as I live, saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel”—that Moab and Ammon will face a fate like Sodom and Gomorrah: overrun with nettles, riddled with saltpits, laid waste perpetually. Such images stress sterility and abandonment. The reversal is total: those who taunted will be plundered; those who encroached will be inherited by “the residue of my people” and “the remnant of my nation.” The oath underlines certainty and covenant authority. God defends His name and His people, turning scorn into shame and loss into gain for the faithful remnant whom He preserves even through judgment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this cause, by my life, says the Lord of armies, the God of Israel, truly Moab will become like Sodom and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah, given up to waste plants and salt pools and unpeopled for ever: the rest of my people will take their property, the overflow of my nation will take their heritage.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore, I live, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, Surely, Moab is as Sodom, And the sons of Ammon as Gomorrah, An overrunning of nettles and salt-pits, And a desolation--unto the age. A residue of My people do seize them, And a remnant of My nation inherit them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel, Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrha, the dryness of thorns, and heaps of salt, and a desert even for ever: the remnant of my people shall make a spoil of them, and the residue of my nation shall possess them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore, [as] I live, saith Jehovah of hosts, theGod of Israel, Moab shall certainly be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, a possession of nettles, and salt-pits, and a perpetual desolation; the remnant of my people shall spoil them, and the residue of my nation shall possess them.
Context
This verse delivers the sentence following verse 8’s charges. By invoking Sodom and Gomorrah, the prophet signals exemplary judgment for pride and hostility. Verse 10 will underline that pride is the root issue. Verse 11 will then widen the horizon, showing that God’s victory over false gods leads to worldwide worship. Thus the local judgment on Moab and Ammon anticipates a universal outcome.
v.8I 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.
v.9This passage
v.10This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of hosts.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zephaniah 3:13
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
- Isaiah 11:14
And they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines on the west; together shall they despoil the children of the east: they shall put forth their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
- Jeremiah 49:18
As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith Jehovah, no man shall dwell there, neither shall any son of man sojourn therein.
- Jeremiah 50:40
As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbor cities thereof, saith Jehovah, so shall no man dwell there, neither shall any son of man sojourn therein.
- Zephaniah 2:14
And 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.
- Isaiah 15:1
The burden of Moab. For in a night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nought; for in a night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to nought.
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.