Zephaniah 2:6
And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.
Original Language Analysis
וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה
H1961
וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַיָּ֗ם
And the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֗ם
And the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
3 of 8
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
נְוֹ֛ת
shall be dwellings
H5116
נְוֹ֛ת
shall be dwellings
Strong's:
H5116
Word #:
4 of 8
(adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home, of god (temple), men (residence), flocks (pasture), or wild
רֹעִ֖ים
for shepherds
H7462
רֹעִ֖ים
for shepherds
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
6 of 8
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
Historical Context
Archaeological surveys of ancient Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod show layers of destruction followed by sparse occupation or abandonment. In Hellenistic and Roman periods, these sites were indeed used for grazing, with scattered settlements among the ruins, precisely as Zephaniah predicted.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this imagery of cities becoming pastures challenge our cultural assumption that progress always means urbanization and technological advancement?
- What 'ruins' in your own life—broken dreams, failed projects—might God repurpose for peaceful, simple obedience?
- How should the certainty of such dramatic reversals shape Christian perspectives on political and economic power?
Analysis & Commentary
And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks (keroth neot ro'im u'gederot tson)—Devastated Philistine territory would return to pastoral simplicity. The Hebrew keroth (caves/excavations) suggests shepherds using ruins for shelter.
This verse depicts eschatological reversal: once-mighty cities become sheep pastures, embodying prophetic irony. Urban military power yields to agrarian peace. Isaiah 17:2 uses similar imagery for Damascus, and Micah 5:8 for Assyria. Such reversals comfort the oppressed: God humbles the arrogant and exalts the lowly (Luke 1:52).