Zephaniah 2:11

Authorized King James Version

PDF

The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

Original Language Analysis

נוֹרָ֤א will be terrible H3372
נוֹרָ֤א will be terrible
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 1 of 16
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
יְהוָה֙ The LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 3 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 4 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָזָ֔ה unto them for he will famish H7329
רָזָ֔ה unto them for he will famish
Strong's: H7329
Word #: 5 of 16
to emaciate, i.e., make (become) thin (literally or figuratively)
אֵ֖ת H853
אֵ֖ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֱלֹהֵ֣י all the gods H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י all the gods
Strong's: H430
Word #: 8 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
הָאָ֑רֶץ of the earth H776
הָאָ֑רֶץ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 9 of 16
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְיִשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ and men shall worship H7812
וְיִשְׁתַּֽחֲווּ and men shall worship
Strong's: H7812
Word #: 10 of 16
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לוֹ֙ H0
לוֹ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 16
אִ֣ישׁ him every one H376
אִ֣ישׁ him every one
Strong's: H376
Word #: 12 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִמְּקוֹמ֔וֹ from his place H4725
מִמְּקוֹמ֔וֹ from his place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 13 of 16
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
כֹּ֖ל H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִיֵּ֥י even all the isles H339
אִיֵּ֥י even all the isles
Strong's: H339
Word #: 15 of 16
properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island
הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ of the heathen H1471
הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ of the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 16 of 16
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis & Commentary

The LORD will be terrible unto them (nora YHWH aleihem)—'Terrible' (nora) means fearsome, awe-inspiring, even dreadful. This anticipates God's final revelation when every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10-11), not from love but from sheer terror for many.

For he will famish all the gods of the earth (ki razah et kol elohei ha'aretz)—'Famish' (razah) means to make lean, to starve. Without worshipers bringing offerings, pagan gods will 'starve.' This is biting satire: idols depend on humans for sustenance (Psalm 115:4-8), while YHWH needs nothing (Acts 17:25). Men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen—Universal worship is the eschatological goal. Malachi 1:11 and Revelation 7:9-10 envision this global homage.

Historical Context

This prophecy began fulfillment when Babylon destroyed Moabite/Ammonite temples and their gods proved impotent. Ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's return, when 'the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea' (Habakkuk 2:14).

Questions for Reflection