Zephaniah 2:12
Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
חַֽלְלֵ֥י
shall be slain
H2491
חַֽלְלֵ֥י
shall be slain
Strong's:
H2491
Word #:
4 of 6
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
Historical Context
The Ethiopian Dynasty (25th Dynasty) ruled Egypt until Assyria defeated them at Thebes (663 BC). By Zephaniah's time, Egypt was in turmoil. Babylon's campaigns against Egypt (605, 601, 568 BC) brought further devastation to Ethiopian-controlled regions, fulfilling this prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God's judgment extend even to distant nations like Ethiopia that had less direct contact with Judah?
- What does the brevity of this oracle suggest about the certainty and swiftness of divine judgment?
- How does God's sovereignty over distant nations encourage believers facing global powers that seem beyond God's reach?
Analysis & Commentary
Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword (gam-atem Kushiim chalalei charbi hemah)—A terse, sudden announcement. 'Ethiopians' (Kushim) refers to Nubia/Cush, south of Egypt, ruling Egypt during the 25th Dynasty (715-663 BC).
The brevity is striking—no explanation, no elaboration. God's sword (charbi) indicates direct divine agency, though executed through human armies (Babylon). This brief oracle may refer to Nebuchadnezzar's Egyptian campaign (568 BC, Ezekiel 29:19-20) which affected Ethiopian/Cushite territories. The sword imagery recalls Ezekiel 32:11: 'The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.'