Translations
Modern
“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
Traditional
I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.
Literal
“I will bring to an end man and beast; I will bring to an end the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea and the stumbling blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” a declaration of YHWH.
Latin
…congregans hominem et pecus, congregans volatilia cæli et pisces maris: et ruinæ impiorum erunt, et disperdam homines a facie terræ, dicit Dominus.
Original
Hebrew
English
“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.
Notes
God's judgment will remove things in the reverse order of their creation (Genesis 1:20–26). People and animals are mentioned first, then birds, and finally fish.
This order shows that judgment is a reversal of creation, moving backward through what God originally made.
Zephaniah's message from the Lord warns about worldwide judgment (Zephaniah 1:1–6). He urges his readers to repent (Zephaniah 1:7–13) before disaster strikes (1:14–18). He encourages them to seek the Lord and live righteously and humbly, hoping they may avoid his judgment (Zephaniah 2:1–3).
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Prophecies of Zephaniahc. 610 BC
Parallels
Glossary
Beast Birds Book of Zephaniah Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven