Zephaniah 2:7

Authorized King James Version

And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָ֣יָה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
חֶ֗בֶל
H2256
And the coast
ruin
#3
לִשְׁאֵרִ֛ית
H7611
shall be for the remnant
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
#4
בְּבָתֵּ֣י
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
יְהוּדָ֖ה
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#6
עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
יִרְע֑וּן
H7462
they shall feed
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
#8
בְּבָתֵּ֣י
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#9
אַשְׁקְל֗וֹן
H831
of Ashkelon
ashkelon, a place in palestine
#10
בָּעֶ֙רֶב֙
H6153
in the evening
dusk
#11
יִרְבָּצ֔וּן
H7257
shall they lie down
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
#12
כִּ֧י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
יִפְקְדֵ֛ם
H6485
shall visit
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#14
יְהוָ֥ה
H3068
for the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם
H430
their God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#16
וְשָׁ֥ב
H7725
them and turn away
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#17
שְׁבִותָֽם׃
H7622
their captivity
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection