Zephaniah 2:15
This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.
Original Language Analysis
הָעִ֤יר
city
H5892
הָעִ֤יר
city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַיּוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת
that dwelt
H3427
הַיּוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת
that dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לָבֶ֔טַח
carelessly
H983
לָבֶ֔טַח
carelessly
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
5 of 21
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
וְאַפְסִ֣י
I am and there is none beside
H657
וְאַפְסִ֣י
I am and there is none beside
Strong's:
H657
Word #:
9 of 21
cessation, i.e., an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the ankle (in the dual), as being the extremity of the leg or f
ע֑וֹד
H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
הָיְתָ֣ה
H1961
הָיְתָ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְשַׁמָּ֗ה
me how is she become a desolation
H8047
לְשַׁמָּ֗ה
me how is she become a desolation
Strong's:
H8047
Word #:
13 of 21
ruin; by implication, consternation
מַרְבֵּץ֙
to lie down in
H4769
מַרְבֵּץ֙
to lie down in
Strong's:
H4769
Word #:
14 of 21
a reclining place, i.e., fold (for flocks)
לַֽחַיָּ֔ה
a place for beasts
H2416
לַֽחַיָּ֔ה
a place for beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
15 of 21
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עוֹבֵ֣ר
every one that passeth by
H5674
עוֹבֵ֣ר
every one that passeth by
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
17 of 21
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִשְׁרֹ֖ק
her shall hiss
H8319
יִשְׁרֹ֖ק
her shall hiss
Strong's:
H8319
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)
Cross References
Ezekiel 28:2Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:Isaiah 22:2Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.Nahum 3:19There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?Jeremiah 19:8And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.Ezekiel 28:9Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee.Lamentations 1:1How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!Lamentations 2:15All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
Historical Context
Nineveh's hubris was legendary. Assyrian kings boasted of their conquests in monumental inscriptions. Ashurbanipal's library contained texts glorifying Assyrian supremacy. Yet within a generation of Zephaniah's prophecy, the city fell, never to recover—a permanent warning against national pride.
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary nations, institutions, or individuals claim 'I am, and there is none beside me'—implicitly denying God's uniqueness?
- How does false security ('dwelling carelessly') set up individuals and nations for catastrophic judgment?
- When have you witnessed the proud brought low, and what did it teach you about God's sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly (zot ha'ir ha'alizah hayoshevet la'vetach)—'Rejoicing' (alizah) implies boastful revelry. 'Carelessly' (la'vetach) means false security, complacency. Nineveh assumed her power was unassailable.
That said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me (ani ve'afsi od)—This echoes the self-deification of Isaiah's Babylon (Isaiah 47:8, 10). Nineveh claimed divine uniqueness—'I AM'—the prerogative of God alone (Exodus 3:14). This is the essence of idolatry: creature claiming Creator's position.
How is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in—The contrast is stark: from self-exaltation to utter ruin. Every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand (kol ober aleha yishroq yaniad yado)—Hissing and hand-waving express scorn and mockery (Job 27:23, Lamentations 2:15). Former admirers now despise her.