Zephaniah 2:14
And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.
Original Language Analysis
וְרָבְצ֨וּ
shall lie down
H7257
וְרָבְצ֨וּ
shall lie down
Strong's:
H7257
Word #:
1 of 20
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
בְתוֹכָ֤הּ
in the midst
H8432
בְתוֹכָ֤הּ
in the midst
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
2 of 20
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חַיְתוֹ
of her all the beasts
H2416
חַיְתוֹ
of her all the beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
5 of 20
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
ג֔וֹי
of the nations
H1471
ג֔וֹי
of the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 20
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
קִפֹּ֔ד
and the bittern
H7090
קִפֹּ֔ד
and the bittern
Strong's:
H7090
Word #:
10 of 20
a species of bird, perhaps the bittern (from its contracted form)
בְּכַפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ
in the upper lintels
H3730
בְּכַפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ
in the upper lintels
Strong's:
H3730
Word #:
11 of 20
a chaplet; but used only in an architectonic sense, i.e., the capital of a column, or a wreath-like button or disk on the candelabrum
יָלִ֑ינוּ
shall lodge
H3885
יָלִ֑ינוּ
shall lodge
Strong's:
H3885
Word #:
12 of 20
to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
בַּסַּ֔ף
shall be in the thresholds
H5592
בַּסַּ֔ף
shall be in the thresholds
Strong's:
H5592
Word #:
17 of 20
a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Jeremiah 22:14That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.Amos 9:1I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.
Historical Context
Excavations at Nineveh (modern-day Mosul, Iraq) confirm the prophecy's accuracy. The site was buried under dirt mounds for centuries, inhabited only by animals. Ashurbanipal's palace, once glorious with cedar and alabaster, lay in ruins exactly as described—exposed 'cedar work' visible in archaeological remains.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the image of birds nesting in palace ruins teach about the temporary nature of human glory?
- How does God's specific attention to details like 'cedar work' demonstrate the precision of His prophetic word?
- Where do you see modern 'Ninevehs'—powerful institutions or systems that seem permanent but face inevitable judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her—Nineveh's streets would become pastures. All the beasts of the nations likely means 'wild animals of every kind' rather than military nations.
Both the cormorant and the bittern (qa'at ve'qippod)—These are water birds, possibly pelicans and hedgehogs (translations vary). Shall lodge in the upper lintels of it—Birds nesting in abandoned palace doorframes depict utter desolation. Their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds—Instead of human voices, bird calls. Instead of royal processions, rubble. For he shall uncover the cedar work—Nineveh's palaces featured cedar paneling (imported from Lebanon). Exposure to weather meant total ruin. Isaiah 34:11-15 uses similar imagery for Edom's judgment.