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Zephaniah 2
Zephaniah 2:1
General Information:
In 2:1-3, Yahweh continues to speak to Judah, and tells them to repent.
Rally yourselves together and gather
These two phrases mean the same thing. Together they intensify the command for the people to gather together in order to repent of their sins. Alternate translation: "Gather yourselves together" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
Zephaniah 2:2
before the decree takes effect
This phrase refers to the punishment that will happen as a result of Yahweh's decree. Alternate translation: "before Yahweh punishes you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
that day
This phrase relates to the "day of Yahweh." Translate as you did similar phrases in Zephaniah 1:9.
that day passes like the chaff
The chaff is the insignificant part of the plant that the wind blows away. In a similar way, the day of judgment will pass quickly. Alternate translation: "that day passes as quickly as chaff blown by the wind" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
before the fierce anger of Yahweh's wrath comes upon you, before the day of Yahweh's wrath comes upon you
The prophet repeats the same phrase almost exactly in order to emphasize how terrible Yahweh's judgment will be and the urgency with which the people must repent. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Yahweh's wrath
This stands for God's intent to punish. Alternate translation: "Yahweh's punishment" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Zephaniah 2:3
Seek Yahweh
Seeking Yahweh represents either 1) asking God for help or 2) thinking about God and obeying him. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Seek righteousness. Seek humility
The abstract nouns "righteousness" and "humility" can be stated as actions. Alternate translation: "Try to do what is right and to be humble" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
you will be protected in the day of Yahweh's wrath
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Yahweh will protect you in the day of his wrath" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Zephaniah 2:4
General Information:
In 2:4-15, Yahweh announces his judgment on the nations that surround Judah.
Gaza ... Ashkelon ... Ashdod ... Ekron
These were the four major Philistine cities of that day.
will be abandoned ... will turn into a devastation
These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the complete destruction of these cities. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
They will drive out Ashdod at noon
Here "They" refers to the enemies of the Philistines. Possible meanings for "at noon" are 1) the enemies will defeat Ashdod before noon or 2) the enemies will attack Ashdod at noon while the people are resting and unaware.
they will uproot Ekron
The defeat of Ekron is spoken of as if it was a tree that was pulled from the ground and thrown away. Alternate translation: "they will take the people of Ekron away as if uprooting a tree" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Zephaniah 2:5
the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Kerethites
The first phrase explains where the Kerethites lived.
the seacoast
the coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Canaan, land of the Philistines
The Philistines were one of several people groups who lived in Canaan.
until no inhabitant remains
"until no one is left." This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "until every inhabitant is dead"
Zephaniah 2:6
General Information:
In 2:4-15, Yahweh announces his judgment on the nations that surround Judah.
So the seacoast will become pastures for shepherds and for sheep pens
This probably means that the Philistine cities are gone, and only open fields remain. However, the Hebrew meaning is unclear and is sometimes translated differently by modern versions.
the seacoast
the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. See how you translated this in verse 5.
sheep pens
A sheep pen is a small area surrounded by a fence to keep the sheep together.
Zephaniah 2:7
The coastal region
the land near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. See how you translated this in verse 5.
Their people
"The people of Judah"
lie down
"lie down to sleep"
restore their fortunes
give them back what they had before they went into captivity
Zephaniah 2:8
General Information:
In 2:4-15, Yahweh announces his judgment on the nations that surround Judah.
the taunts ... the reviling
"the taunts ... the insults." These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that both Moab and Ammon have insulted Yahweh. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
violated their borders
This refers to crossing over into Judah's territory in order to attack them.
Zephaniah 2:9
as I live
"as surely as I am alive." Yahweh uses this expression to show that what he says next is certainly true. This is a way of making a solemn promise. Alternate translation: "I solemnly swear" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: "this is what Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, has declared" or "this is what I, Yahweh of hosts, God of Israel, have declared" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
like Sodom ... like Gomorrah
These two cities were so wicked that God completely destroyed them with fire from heaven. These similes therefore refer to complete destruction. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: "completely destroyed like Sodom ... like Gomorrah" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
a place of nettles and a salt pit
"a place with thorns and a salt pit." This describes a barren, useless land.
the remnant of my people ... the remainder of my nation
These two phrases mean the same thing and refer to the Israelites that survived Yahweh's punishment. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Zephaniah 2:10
General Information:
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Zephaniah 2:11
General Information:
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Zephaniah 2:12
General Information:
In 2:4-15, Yahweh announces his judgment on the nations that surround Judah.
You Cushites also will be pierced by my sword
Here "pieced by my sword" is a metonym for being killed in battle. Alternate translation: "I will kill you people of Cush in battle" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Zephaniah 2:13
God's hand
Here "hand" refers to power. Alternate translation: "God's power" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
an abandoned devastation
The abstract noun "devastation" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "ruined and deserted" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
as dry as the desert
This means it will be so dry that nothing will grow there. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
Zephaniah 2:14
every animal of the nations
"every kind of animal"
the screech owl
This term is uncertain. Some versions translate it as "hedgehog."
in the top of her columns
When buildings were destroyed and fell down, the columns used for decoration and support would often remain standing.
A call will sing out from the windows
"A call will be heard from the windows"
beams
Beams are long and thick pieces of wood that are used to keep a building stable.
Zephaniah 2:15
General Information:
In 2:4-15, Yahweh announces his judgment on the nations that surround Judah.
the exultant city
"the city that is proud of itself." This refers to the city of Nineveh, about whom Yahweh began to speak in Zephaniah 2:13.
said in her heart
This idiom means "said to herself" or "she thought." The city is spoken of as if it were a person that could speak. It represents the people who live in that city. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
I am, and nothing is my equal
It may be necessary to supply an object for "I am." Alternate translation: "I am the greatest city, and no other city is equal to me" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
a horror
"a horrible place to see"
hiss and shake his fist
A hiss is an angry sound. This phrase indicates extreme anger of the people toward Nineveh.