Zephaniah 2:13

Authorized King James Version

And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְיֵ֤ט

H5186

And he will stretch out

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

יָדוֹ֙

H3027

his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

צָפ֔וֹן

H6828

against the north

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וִֽיאַבֵּ֖ד

and destroy

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַשּׁ֑וּר

H804

Assyria

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וְיָשֵׂ֤ם

H7760

and will make

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#10

נִֽינְוֵה֙

H5210

Nineveh

nineveh, the capital of assyria

#11

לִשְׁמָמָ֔ה

H8077

a desolation

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

#12

צִיָּ֖ה

H6723

and dry

aridity; concretely, a desert

#13

כַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃

H4057

like a wilderness

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Zephaniah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Zephaniah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?