Zephaniah 2:9

Authorized King James Version

Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

Word-by-Word Analysis

לָכֵ֣ן

H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

חַי

H2416

Therefore as I live

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָ֡נִי

H589

נְאֻם֩

H5002

saith

an oracle

יְהוָ֨ה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֜וֹת

H6635

of hosts

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י

H430

the 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#10

מוֹאָ֞ב

H4124

Surely Moab

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

#11

כִּסְדֹ֤ם

H5467

shall be as Sodom

sedom, a place near the dead sea

#12

תִּֽהְיֶה֙

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#13

וּבְנֵ֤י

H1121

and the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#14

עַמּוֹן֙

H5983

of Ammon

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

#15

כַּֽעֲמֹרָ֔ה

H6017

as Gomorrah

amorah, a place in palestine

#16

מִמְשַׁ֥ק

H4476

even the breeding

a possession

#17

חָר֛וּל

H2738

of nettles

properly, pointed, i.e., a bramble or other thorny weed

#18

וּמִכְרֵה

H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

#19

מֶ֥לַח

H4417

properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)

#20

וּשְׁמָמָ֖ה

H8077

desolation

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

#21

עַד

H5704

and a perpetual

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#22

עוֹלָ֑ם

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

#23

שְׁאֵרִ֤ית

H7611

the residue

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

#24

עַמִּי֙

H5971

of my people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#25

יְבָזּ֔וּם

H962

shall spoil

to plunder

#26

וְיֶ֥תֶר

H3499

them and the remnant

properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)

#27

גּוֹיִ֖

H1471

of my people

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

#28

יִנְחָלֽוּם׃

H5157

shall possess

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate

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

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?