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At midday Ashdod will be emptied and Ekron uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/zephaniah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Gaza and Ashkelon will be abandoned, Ashdod and Ekron torn down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/zephaniah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/zephaniah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/zephaniah/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/zephaniah/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, And Ashkelon desolate; They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, And Ekron shall be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/zephaniah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza will be abandoned, And Ashkelon <i>will become</i> a desolation; <i>The inhabitants of</i> Ashdod will be driven out at noon, And Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/zephaniah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For Gaza will be abandoned And Ashkelon a desolation; Ashdod will be driven out at noon And Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/zephaniah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For Gaza will be abandoned, And Ashkelon a desolation; Ashdod will be driven out at noon, And Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/zephaniah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For Gaza will be forsaken And Ashkelon a desolation; Ashdod will be driven out at noon, And Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/zephaniah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For [this is the fate of the Philistines:] Gaza will be abandoned And Ashkelon a desolation; [The people of] Ashdod will be driven out at noon [in broad daylight] And Ekron will be uprooted <i>and</i> destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/zephaniah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon will become a ruin. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/zephaniah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon will become a ruin. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/zephaniah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation; they shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/zephaniah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Gaza and Ashkelon will be deserted and left in ruins. Ashdod will be emptied in broad daylight, and Ekron uprooted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/zephaniah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noonday, and Ekron shall be rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/zephaniah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Gaza will be deserted, and Ashkelon will be destroyed. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be torn out by the roots.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/zephaniah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />No one will be left in the city of Gaza. Ashkelon will be deserted. The people of Ashdod will be driven out in half a day, and the people of Ekron will be driven from their city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/zephaniah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon deserted— Ashdod will be emptied at high noon; even Ekron will be uprooted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/zephaniah/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, Gaza will be deserted and Ashkelon will become a heap of ruins. Invaders will drive away the people of Ashdod by noon, and Ekron will be overthrown. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/zephaniah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation. They will drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron will be rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/zephaniah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/zephaniah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon left in ruins. Ashdod will be driven out at noon, and Ekron will be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/zephaniah/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation. They will drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron will be rooted up. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/zephaniah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For Gaza is forsaken, "" And Ashkelon [is] for a desolation, "" Ashdod! At noon they cast her forth, "" And Ekron is rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/zephaniah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For Gaza is forsaken, And Ashkelon is for a desolation, Ashdod! at noon they do cast her forth, And Ekron is rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/zephaniah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon for a desolation: they shall thrust out Ashdod at noon, and Ekron shall be rooted up.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/zephaniah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be destroyed, and Ascalon shall be a desert, they shall cast out Azotus at noonday, and Accaron shall be rooted up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/zephaniah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For Gaza will be destroyed, and Ashkelon will be in the desert; they will expel Ashdod at midday, and Ekron will be eradicated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/zephaniah/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon shall be a waste, Ashdod they shall drive out at midday, and Ekron shall be uprooted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/zephaniah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be deserted, and Ashkelon shall become a desolation; Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon, and Ekron shall be uprooted.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/zephaniah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be deserted and Ashkelon a desolation; they shall carry captive Ashdod's people at the noon day, and Ekron shall be uprooted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/zephaniah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because Aza will be abandoned, and Ashqelon will be for destruction; at noonday they shall take Ashdod and Aqron shall be uprooted<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/zephaniah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be forsaken, And Ashkelon a desolation; They shall drive out Ashdod at the noonday, And Ekron shall be rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/zephaniah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For Gaza shall be utterly spoiled, and Ascalon shall be destroyed; and Azotus shall be cast forth at noon-day, and Accaron shall be rooted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T0cd_1JKnyY?start=253" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/zephaniah/2.htm">The Judgment on the Philistines</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5804.htm" title="5804: ‘az·zāh (N-proper-fs) -- A Philistine city. Feminine of az; strong; Azzah, a place in Palestine.">Gaza</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: ṯih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: ‘ă·zū·ḇāh (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">abandoned,</a> <a href="/hebrew/831.htm" title="831: wə·’aš·qə·lō·wn (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- A city of the Philistines. Probably from shaqal in the sense of weighing-place; Ashkelon, a place in Palestine.">and Ashkelon</a> <a href="/hebrew/8077.htm" title="8077: liš·mā·māh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Devastation, waste. Or shimamah; feminine of shamem; devastation; figuratively, astonishment.">left in ruins.</a> <a href="/hebrew/795.htm" title="795: ’aš·dō·wḏ (N-proper-fs) -- A city of the Philistines. From shadad; ravager; Ashdod, a place in Palestine.">Ashdod</a> <a href="/hebrew/1644.htm" title="1644: yə·ḡā·rə·šū·hā (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp:: 3fs) -- To drive out, cast out. A primitive root; to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce.">will be driven out</a> <a href="/hebrew/6672.htm" title="6672: baṣ·ṣā·ho·ra·yim (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A light, double light, noon. From tsahar; a light: dual double light, i.e. Noon.">at noon,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6138.htm" title="6138: wə·‘eq·rō·wn (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- A Philistine city. From aqar; eradication; Ekron, a place in Palestine.">and Ekron</a> <a href="/hebrew/6131.htm" title="6131: tê·‘ā·qêr (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fs) -- To pluck or root up. A primitive root; to pluck up; specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to exterminate.">will be uprooted.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Woe to the dwellers of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you, and no one will be left.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/1-6.htm">Amos 1:6-8</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Gaza, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they exiled a whole population, delivering them up to Edom. / So I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza, to consume its citadels. / I will cut off the ruler of Ashdod and the one who wields the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines will perish,” says the Lord GOD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/47-1.htm">Jeremiah 47:1-7</a></span><br />This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet about the Philistines before Pharaoh struck down Gaza. / This is what the LORD says: “See how the waters are rising from the north and becoming an overflowing torrent. They will overflow the land and its fullness, the cities and their inhabitants. The people will cry out, and all who dwell in the land will wail / at the sound of the galloping hooves of stallions, the rumbling of chariots, and the clatter of their wheels. The fathers will not turn back for their sons; their hands will hang limp. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-15.htm">Ezekiel 25:15-17</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance, taking vengeance with malice of soul to destroy Judah with ancient hostility, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast. / I will execute great vengeance against them with furious reproof. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-29.htm">Isaiah 14:29-31</a></span><br />Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken. For a viper will spring from the root of the snake, and a flying serpent from its egg. / Then the firstborn of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety, but I will kill your root by famine, and your remnant will be slain. / Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! Melt away, all you Philistines! For a cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/3-4.htm">Joel 3:4-8</a></span><br />Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads. / For you took My silver and gold and carried off My finest treasures to your temples. / You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/9-5.htm">Zechariah 9:5-7</a></span><br />Ashkelon will see and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, as will Ekron, for her hope will wither. There will cease to be a king in Gaza, and Ashkelon will be uninhabited. / A mixed race will occupy Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. / I will remove the blood from their mouths and the abominations from between their teeth. Then they too will become a remnant for our God; they will become like a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-14.htm">Isaiah 11:14</a></span><br />They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-20.htm">Jeremiah 25:20</a></span><br />all the mixed tribes; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines: Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/49-1.htm">Jeremiah 49:1-6</a></span><br />Concerning the Ammonites, this is what the LORD says: “Has Israel no sons? Is he without heir? Why then has Milcom taken possession of Gad? Why have his people settled in their cities? / Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will sound the battle cry against Rabbah of the Ammonites. It will become a heap of ruins, and its villages will be burned. Then Israel will drive out their dispossessors, says the LORD. / Wail, O Heshbon, for Ai has been destroyed; cry out, O daughters of Rabbah! Put on sackcloth and mourn; run back and forth within your walls, for Milcom will go into exile together with his priests and officials. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-19.htm">Obadiah 1:19</a></span><br />Those from the Negev will possess the mountains of Esau; those from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Matthew 11:21-24</a></span><br />“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Luke 10:13-15</a></span><br />Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. / But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-26.htm">Acts 8:26-40</a></span><br />Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south to the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” / So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, / and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-24.htm">Mark 7:24-30</a></span><br />Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice. / Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit soon heard about Jesus, and she came and fell at His feet. / Now she was a Greek woman of Syrophoenician origin, and she kept asking Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-21.htm">Matthew 15:21-28</a></span><br />Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. / And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.</p><p class="hdg">Gaza.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/25-20.htm">Jeremiah 25:20</a></b></br> And all the mingled people, and all the kings of the land of Uz, and all the kings of the land of the Philistines, and Ashkelon, and Azzah, and Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/47-1.htm">Jeremiah 47:1-7</a></b></br> The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/25-15.htm">Ezekiel 25:15-17</a></b></br> Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy <i>it</i> for the old hatred; … </p><p class="hdg">at.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/91-6.htm">Psalm 91:6</a></b></br> <i>Nor</i> for the pestilence <i>that</i> walketh in darkness; <i>nor</i> for the destruction <i>that</i> wasteth at noonday.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/6-4.htm">Jeremiah 6:4</a></b></br> Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/15-8.htm">Jeremiah 15:8</a></b></br> Their widows are increased to me above the sand of the seas: I have brought upon them against the mother of the young men a spoiler at noonday: I have caused <i>him</i> to fall upon it suddenly, and terrors upon the city.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/4-10.htm">Abandoned</a> <a href="/amos/3-9.htm">Ashdod</a> <a href="/amos/1-8.htm">Ashkelon</a> <a href="/amos/1-8.htm">Ash'kelon</a> <a href="/nahum/3-10.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/amos/5-2.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/micah/2-9.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-2.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/amos/1-8.htm">Ekron</a> <a href="/nahum/2-10.htm">Emptied</a> <a href="/amos/5-2.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-2.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/amos/1-7.htm">Gaza</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-10.htm">Midday</a> <a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Noon</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-16.htm">Noonday</a> <a href="/amos/9-15.htm">Rooted</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Ruins</a> <a href="/amos/9-15.htm">Uprooted</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-2.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/2-31.htm">Abandoned</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-6.htm">Ashdod</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Ashkelon</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Ash'kelon</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-15.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/14-13.htm">Deserted</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-9.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/matthew/7-22.htm">Drive</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-19.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-5.htm">Ekron</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-17.htm">Emptied</a> <a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">Forsaken</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-5.htm">Gaza</a> <a href="/acts/26-13.htm">Midday</a> <a href="/matthew/27-45.htm">Noon</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-29.htm">Noonday</a> <a href="/matthew/15-13.htm">Rooted</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-6.htm">Ruins</a> <a href="/matthew/15-13.htm">Uprooted</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-9.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Zephaniah 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/2-1.htm">An exhortation to repentance.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/2-4.htm">The judgment of the Philistines,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/2-8.htm">of Moab and Ammon,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/2-12.htm">of Ethiopia,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/2-13.htm">and of Assyria.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zephaniah/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zephaniah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/zephaniah/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For Gaza will be abandoned</b><br>Gaza was one of the five major Philistine cities, located on the southwestern coast of Canaan. Historically, it was a significant trade hub due to its location on the route between Egypt and the Levant. The prophecy of abandonment reflects God's judgment against the Philistines, who were long-time adversaries of Israel. This judgment is consistent with other prophetic declarations against Philistine cities, such as in <a href="/amos/1-6.htm">Amos 1:6-8</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/47.htm">Jeremiah 47:1-7</a>. The abandonment signifies a complete desolation, indicating divine retribution for their hostility towards God's people.<p><b>and Ashkelon left in ruins</b><br>Ashkelon, another principal city of the Philistines, was known for its fortifications and strategic importance. The prophecy of being left in ruins suggests a total destruction, leaving the city uninhabitable. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to bring down even the most fortified cities. The ruins symbolize the futility of relying on human strength and defenses against divine judgment, as seen in other prophetic literature like <a href="/isaiah/23.htm">Isaiah 23:1-18</a> concerning Tyre.<p><b>Ashdod will be driven out at noon</b><br>Ashdod was a significant Philistine city, often mentioned in the context of Israel's conflicts with the Philistines. The phrase "driven out at noon" suggests an unexpected and humiliating defeat, as noon was typically a time of rest and security. This imagery underscores the suddenness and inevitability of God's judgment. The timing also highlights the divine orchestration of events, as seen in other biblical narratives where God intervenes at unexpected times, such as the battle of Jericho in <a href="/joshua/6.htm">Joshua 6</a>.<p><b>and Ekron will be uprooted</b><br>Ekron, another of the five Philistine cities, was known for its agricultural productivity. The term "uprooted" conveys a complete removal, akin to pulling a plant from the ground, leaving no chance for regrowth. This imagery is powerful in illustrating the totality of God's judgment, leaving no remnant of the city's former power or influence. The uprooting of Ekron can be seen as a metaphor for the eradication of sin and opposition to God's will, similar to the imagery used in <a href="/jeremiah/1-10.htm">Jeremiah 1:10</a>, where God speaks of uprooting nations as part of His divine plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/gaza.htm">Gaza</a></b><br>A prominent Philistine city, known for its strategic location and historical significance. It was often in conflict with Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ashkelon.htm">Ashkelon</a></b><br>Another major Philistine city, known for its trade and fortifications. It was a center of commerce and culture.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ashdod.htm">Ashdod</a></b><br>A Philistine city, significant for its religious and military importance. It housed the temple of Dagon.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/ekron.htm">Ekron</a></b><br>One of the five cities of the Philistine pentapolis, known for its agricultural productivity and religious practices.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A people group often in conflict with Israel, representing opposition to God's people and purposes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br><a href="/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4</a> reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations, including those that seem powerful and secure. No city or nation is beyond His reach or judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The destruction of these cities serves as a warning about the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. It calls us to examine our own lives and communities for areas of disobedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_god's_word.htm">The Certainty of God's Word</a></b><br>The fulfillment of these prophecies in history assures us of the reliability and truth of God's Word. We can trust His promises and warnings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The impending judgment on these cities serves as a call to repentance. It encourages us to turn from sin and seek God's mercy before it's too late.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_justice.htm">Hope in God's Justice</a></b><br>While the message is one of judgment, it also offers hope that God will ultimately bring justice and restore righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_zephaniah_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Zephaniah 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_gaza,_ashkelon_destruction.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 references the destruction of Gaza and Ashkelon; what archaeological or historical evidence supports such a cataclysmic event? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_umbanda.htm">What is Ekron's significance in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_lord's_guidance.htm">What is Ashkelon's biblical significance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_mention_about_gaza.htm">What does the Bible mention about Gaza?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zephaniah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 4-7.</span> - § 2. <span class="accented">The admonition is enforced by the announcement of the punishment that is about to fall on various nations, which shall prepare the way for the general</span> <span class="accented">acceptance of true religion</span>; <span class="accented">and first the sentence shall reach the Philistines.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - There is reason enough why Judah should tremble when the nations around her, such as the powerful and turbulent Philistines, fall before the invading host. Four of the five cities of the Philistines are mentioned, as denoting the whole territory, which again is the representative of the heathen world more definitely particularized later on. Thus the four quarters of the world are virtually specified: the Philistines representing the west,, the Moabites and Ammonites (vers. 8-10) the east, the Cushites (vers. 11, 12) the south, and the Assyrians (vers. 13-15) the north. <span class="cmt_word">Gaza</span> (see note on Amos 1:6) <span class="cmt_word">shall be forsaken;</span> depopulated and desolate. There is a paronomasia in the Hebrew: <span class="accented">Azzah will be azubhah.</span> Some of the other localities are treated in the same manner (comp. <a href="/micah/1-10.htm">Micah 1:10-15</a>, and notes there). <span class="cmt_word">Ashkelon a desolation</span> (see note on Amos 1:8). <span class="cmt_word">They shall drive out Ashdod.</span> The inhabitants shall be expelled. (For Ashdod, see note on Amos, <span class="accented">loc. cit.</span>) At the noon day. The hottest part of the day, the most unlikely time for a hostile attack, hence the expression is equivalent to "unexpectedly and suddenly" (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/15-8.htm">Jeremiah 15:8</a>). Ekron shall be rooted up. In the Hebrew paronomasia, <span class="accented">Ekron</span> ("the Deep-rooted") shall be <span class="accented">teaker</span>. (For Ekron, see note on Amos, <span class="accented">loc. cit</span>., where the fulfilment of prophecy concerning that town is noted.) Gaza (see note on Amos 1:7), after being depopulated and again re-peopled by Alexander the Great, fell into the hands of Ptolemy, and was destroyed by Antiochus, <span class="date">B.C. 198</span> (Polybius, 'Reliq.,' 16:40; Pusey, p. 457). Often rebuilt, it was as often razed to the ground; and the present representative of the ancient town, Ghuzzeh, stands upon a hill composed of the accumulated ruins of successive cities. Of the condition of Ashkelon, Dr. Thomson writes, "There are no buildings of the ancient city now standing, but broken columns are mixed up with the soil .... Let us climb to the top of these tall fragments at the southeast angle of the wall, and we shell have the whole scene of desolation before us, stretching terrace after terrace, quite down to the sea on the northwest .... No site in this country has so deeply impressed my mind with sadness. They have stretched out upon Ashkelon the line of confusion and the stones of emptiness. Thorns have come up in her palaces, and brambles in the fortresses thereof, and it is a habitation of dragons and a court for owls (<a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11-13</a>)" ('The Land and the Book,' p. 546). "It was for ages," says Dr. Porter, "a great and strong city. Under the Philistines, the Hebrews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Saracens, the Crusaders, it was a place of note. The shattered walls that still surround the site were built by Richard Coeur de Lion. When I first clambered to the top of a broken bastion, a scene of desolation burst suddenly upon my view for which I was not prepared, though I had seen Baal-bec and Palmyra, Heliopolis and Memphis. The whole site was before me, and not a fragment of a house standing. One small section was covered with little gardens; but over the rest of the site lay smooth rounded hillocks of drifting sand. The sand is fast advancing - so fast, that probably ere the close of the century the site of Ascalon will have been blotted out forever" ('Illust. of Bible Proph.,' p. 21). As for Ekron, <span class="accented">hod</span>. <span class="accented">Akir</span>, travellers note that it is now a little village, consisting of about fifty mud houses, without a remnant of antiquity except two large walls; its very ruins have vanished. The omission of Gath, a town at this time of small importance (see note on Amos 1:6), is probably owing to a feeling of the symbolism of numbers, four denoting completion, or the whole, like "the four winds, the four ends of the earth," etc. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gaza</span><br /><span class="heb">עַזָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘az·zāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5804.htm">Strong's 5804: </a> </span><span class="str2">A Philistine city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be</span><br /><span class="heb">תִֽהְיֶ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯih·yeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">abandoned,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲזוּבָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·zū·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Ashkelon</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַשְׁקְל֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’aš·qə·lō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_831.htm">Strong's 831: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashkelon -- a city of the Philistines</span><br /><br /><span class="word">left in ruins.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁמָמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(liš·mā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8077.htm">Strong's 8077: </a> </span><span class="str2">Devastation, astonishment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Ashdod</span><br /><span class="heb">אַשְׁדּ֗וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(’aš·dō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_795.htm">Strong's 795: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashdod -- a city of the Philistines</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be driven out</span><br /><span class="heb">יְגָ֣רְשׁ֔וּהָ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḡā·rə·šū·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1644.htm">Strong's 1644: </a> </span><span class="str2">To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at noon,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּֽצָּהֳרַ֙יִם֙</span> <span class="translit">(baṣ·ṣā·ho·ra·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6672.htm">Strong's 6672: </a> </span><span class="str2">A light, double light, noon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Ekron</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֶקְר֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘eq·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6138.htm">Strong's 6138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ekron -- a Philistine city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be uprooted.</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּעָקֵֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(tê·‘ā·qêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6131.htm">Strong's 6131: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pluck up, to hamstring, to exterminate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Zephaniah 2:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/zephaniah/2-4.htm">OT Prophets: Zephaniah 2:4 For Gaza will be forsaken and Ashkelon (Zeph. Zep Zp) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zephaniah/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zephaniah 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zephaniah/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zephaniah 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 2:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>