Zephaniah 2:5
Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.
Original Language Analysis
יוֹשֵֽׁב׃
thee that there shall be no inhabitant
H3427
יוֹשֵֽׁב׃
thee that there shall be no inhabitant
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֖ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
4 of 15
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
גּ֣וֹי
the nation
H1471
גּ֣וֹי
the nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
5 of 15
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
דְּבַר
the word
H1697
דְּבַר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
7 of 15
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְּנַ֙עַן֙
is against you O Canaan
H3667
כְּנַ֙עַן֙
is against you O Canaan
Strong's:
H3667
Word #:
10 of 15
kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
12 of 15
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֖יךְ
I will even destroy
H6
וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֖יךְ
I will even destroy
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
מֵאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Ezekiel 25:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.Jeremiah 47:7How can it be quiet, seeing the LORD hath given it a charge against Ashkelon, and against the sea shore? there hath he appointed it.Amos 3:1Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,Joshua 13:3From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
Historical Context
The Philistines originated from the 'sea peoples' migrations (c. 1200 BC) from the Aegean. By Roman times, the term 'Palestine' (from Philistia) referred to the region, but the ethnic Philistines had vanished, absorbed into surrounding populations—fulfilling Zephaniah's prophecy of total destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's complete judgment on Philistia demonstrate that nations and empires are not permanent fixtures despite their apparent strength?
- What warnings does the extinction of entire people groups offer to nations that persistently oppose God's purposes?
- How should believers respond to enemies of the gospel—with triumphalism or with gospel urgency before judgment falls?
Analysis & Commentary
Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites (הוֹי יֹשְׁבֵי חֶבֶל הַיָּם goy Kerethim)—The Cherethites were Philistines from Crete (Ezekiel 25:16, Amos 9:7), giving archaeological support to their Aegean origin. The 'woe' (hoy) is a funeral lament, mourning them as already dead.
O Canaan, the land of the Philistines—Calling Philistia 'Canaan' identifies them with the Canaanites under Joshua's conquest (Joshua 13:2-3). Just as God drove out Canaan to give Israel the land, so He will dispossess Philistia. The promise I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant (ve'ha'avadtikh me'ein yoshev) was literally fulfilled—Philistines ceased to exist as a distinct people after successive conquests.