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Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/zephaniah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Because you have sinned against the LORD, I will make you grope around like the blind. Your blood will be poured into the dust, and your bodies will lie rotting on the ground.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/zephaniah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/zephaniah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/zephaniah/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/zephaniah/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“I will bring distress upon men, And they shall walk like blind men, Because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood shall be poured out like dust, And their flesh like refuse.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/zephaniah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will bring distress on mankind So that they will walk like those who are blind, Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood will be poured out like dust, And their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/zephaniah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind, Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood will be poured out like dust And their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/zephaniah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And I will bring distress on men, So that they will walk like the blind, Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood will be poured out like dust, And their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/zephaniah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind Because they have sinned against Yahweh; And their blood will be poured out like dust And their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/zephaniah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I will bring distress on men So that they will walk like the blind [unable to find a way of escape], Because they have sinned against the LORD; Their blood will be poured out like dust [and trampled underfoot], And their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/zephaniah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will bring distress on mankind, and they will walk like the blind because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/zephaniah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will bring distress on mankind, and they will walk like the blind because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/zephaniah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against Jehovah; and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/zephaniah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD warns everyone who has sinned against him, "I'll strike you blind! Then your blood and your insides will gush out like vomit. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/zephaniah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/zephaniah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I will bring such distress on humans that they will walk like they are blind, because they have sinned against the LORD." Their blood will be poured out like dust and their intestines like manure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/zephaniah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD says, "I will bring such disasters on the human race that everyone will grope about like someone blind. They have sinned against me, and now their blood will be poured out like water, and their dead bodies will lie rotting on the ground." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/zephaniah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"And I'll bring so much distress to people that they will walk around like the blind. Because they have sinned against the LORD, their blood will be poured out like dust and their intestines will spill out like manure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/zephaniah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/zephaniah/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I will bring distress on the people and they will stumble like blind men, for they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dirt; their flesh will be scattered like manure. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/zephaniah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will bring distress on men, that they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD, and their blood will be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/zephaniah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/zephaniah/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will bring such distress on men that they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against Yahweh. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/zephaniah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“And I have sent distress to men, "" And they have walked as the blind, "" For against YHWH they have sinned, "" And poured out is their blood as dust, "" And their flesh [is] as dung.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/zephaniah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I have sent distress to men, And they have walked as the blind, For against Jehovah they have sinned, And poured out is their blood as dust, And their flesh is as dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/zephaniah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I pressed upon man, and they went as the blind, because they sinned against Jehovah: and their blood was poured out as dust and their bread as dung.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/zephaniah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I will distress men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as earth, and their bodies as dung. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/zephaniah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I will trouble men, and they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. And their blood will be poured out like soil, and their bodies like manure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/zephaniah/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will hem the people in till they walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their bowels like dung. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/zephaniah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the LORD, their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/zephaniah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD; and their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/zephaniah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I shall afflict the children of man so that they will walk as the blind, because they have sinned against LORD JEHOVAH, and their blood shall be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/zephaniah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I will bring distress upon men, That they shall walk like the blind, Because they have sinned against the LORD; And their blood shall be poured out as dust, And their flesh as dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/zephaniah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I will greatly afflict the men, and they shall walk as blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord; therefore he shall pour out their blood as dust, and their flesh as dung.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/zephaniah/1-17.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=186" 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/1.htm">The Day of the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6887.htm" title="6887: wa·hă·ṣê·rō·ṯî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">I will bring such distress</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: lā·’ā·ḏām (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">on mankind</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wə·hā·lə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">that they will walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/5787.htm" title="5787: ka·‘iw·rîm (Prep-k, Art:: Adj-mp) -- Blind. Intensive from avar; blind.">like the blind,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ḥā·ṭā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">they have sinned</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">against the LORD.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: dā·mām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">Their blood</a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: wə·šup·paḵ (Conj-w:: V-QalPass-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">will be poured out</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ke·‘ā·p̄ār (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">like dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/3894.htm" title="3894: ū·lə·ḥu·mām (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Intestines, bowels. Or lachum; passive participle of lacham; properly, eaten, i.e. Food; also flesh, i.e. Body.">and their flesh</a> <a href="/hebrew/1557.htm" title="1557: kag·gə·lā·lîm (Prep-k, Art:: N-mp) -- Dung. From galal; dung.">like dung.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.…<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="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:28-29</a></span><br />The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness, and confusion of mind, / and at noon you will grope about like a blind man in the darkness. You will not prosper in your ways. Day after day you will be oppressed and plundered, with no one to save you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-10.htm">Isaiah 59:10</a></span><br />Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-16.htm">Jeremiah 13:16</a></span><br />Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm">Lamentations 4:14</a></span><br />They wandered blind in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-13.htm">Ezekiel 22:13-14</a></span><br />Now look, I strike My hands together against your unjust gain and against the blood you have shed in your midst. / Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will act.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1-3</a></span><br />Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. / Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-9.htm">Amos 8:9-10</a></span><br />And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime. / I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-6.htm">Micah 3:6-7</a></span><br />Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8-10</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.” / And David says: “May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them. / May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-3.htm">2 Corinthians 4:3-4</a></span><br />And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. / The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Ephesians 4:17-18</a></span><br />So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a></span><br />While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:10-12</a></span><br />and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-15.htm">Revelation 6:15-17</a></span><br />Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I will bring distress on men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.</p><p class="hdg">they shall.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:28,29</a></b></br> The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/79-3.htm">Psalm 79:3</a></b></br> Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and <i>there was</i> none to bury <i>them</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-10.htm">Isaiah 29:10</a></b></br> For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.</p><p class="hdg">because.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/24-5.htm">Isaiah 24:5,6</a></b></br> The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/50-1.htm">Isaiah 50:1</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD, Where <i>is</i> the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors <i>is it</i> to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/59-12.htm">Isaiah 59:12-15</a></b></br> For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions <i>are</i> with us; and <i>as for</i> our iniquities, we know them; … </p><p class="hdg">and their blood.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/9-33.htm">2 Kings 9:33-37</a></b></br> And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and <i>some</i> of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/79-2.htm">Psalm 79:2,3</a></b></br> The dead bodies of thy servants have they given <i>to be</i> meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/83-10.htm">Psalm 83:10</a></b></br> <i>Which</i> perished at Endor: they became <i>as</i> dung for the earth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-17.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/joel/3-19.htm">Drained</a> <a href="/nahum/3-6.htm">Dung</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-23.htm">Entrails</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-12.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/nahum/3-6.htm">Filth</a> <a href="/nahum/2-12.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/nahum/1-6.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-10.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-19.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-19.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/nahum/2-11.htm">Walked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-7.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/matthew/8-6.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-12.htm">Drained</a> <a href="/malachi/2-3.htm">Dung</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-3.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/exodus/12-9.htm">Entrails</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-10.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-13.htm">Filth</a> <a href="/haggai/2-12.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-12.htm">Poured</a> <a href="/matthew/27-4.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/haggai/2-22.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-11.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-10.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-11.htm">Walked</a><div class="vheading2">Zephaniah 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/1-1.htm">The time when Zephaniah prophesied.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">God's severe judgments against Judah.</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/1.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/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will bring such distress on mankind</b><br>This phrase indicates a divine judgment that is comprehensive and severe. The context of Zephaniah is a prophecy against Judah and the surrounding nations, warning of the coming "Day of the LORD," a time of God's wrath and judgment. The distress mentioned here is not limited to a specific group but extends to all of humanity, reflecting the universal nature of sin and the need for divine justice. This echoes the theme of God's judgment found in other prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.<p><b>that they will walk like the blind</b><br>Walking like the blind symbolizes confusion, helplessness, and a lack of direction. In biblical times, blindness was often associated with spiritual ignorance or moral failure. This imagery suggests that those under judgment will be unable to find their way, both physically and spiritually. It connects to passages like <a href="/deuteronomy/28-29.htm">Deuteronomy 28:29</a>, where blindness is a curse for disobedience, and to the New Testament, where spiritual blindness is a metaphor for unbelief (<a href="/john/9-39.htm">John 9:39-41</a>).<p><b>because they have sinned against the LORD</b><br>The reason for the distress is clearly stated: sin against the LORD. This underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, where sin is a breach of that covenant. The prophetic literature consistently highlights sin as the root cause of divine judgment. This phrase also points to the holiness of God, who cannot tolerate sin, and the need for repentance, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible, from the calls of the prophets to the message of John the Baptist and Jesus.<p><b>Their blood will be poured out like dust</b><br>This vivid imagery conveys the severity and totality of the coming judgment. Blood, representing life, being poured out like dust suggests a complete and utter destruction, where life is devalued and treated as worthless. This can be connected to the sacrificial system, where blood was significant for atonement, highlighting the gravity of sin and the cost of redemption. It also parallels the imagery in <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm">Lamentations 2:19</a>, where the destruction of Jerusalem is lamented.<p><b>and their flesh like dung</b><br>The comparison of flesh to dung further emphasizes the disgrace and degradation that will accompany the judgment. Dung, being waste, signifies something unclean and despised. This reflects the consequences of sin, leading to shame and dishonor. The imagery is reminiscent of the curses in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a>, where disobedience results in becoming a byword and object of scorn. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and separation from God for those who reject His covenant, as seen in the eschatological teachings of the New Testament.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/z/zephaniah.htm">Zephaniah</a></b><br>A prophet in the Old Testament, Zephaniah's ministry took place during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. He is known for his messages of judgment and the coming "Day of the LORD."<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Zephaniah's prophecies. The nation is warned of impending judgment due to their sins.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_day_of_the_lord.htm">The Day of the LORD</a></b><br>A significant theme in Zephaniah, referring to a time of divine judgment and wrath against sin, not only for Judah but for all nations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Sin leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God. Just as physical blindness hinders one's ability to navigate the world, spiritual blindness prevents us from seeing and following God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_repentance.htm">The Urgency of Repentance</a></b><br>Zephaniah's message underscores the need for immediate repentance. The Day of the LORD is imminent, and we must turn from sin to avoid judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>The passage reminds us that God is sovereign and just in His judgments. He holds humanity accountable for their actions, and His decrees are righteous.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a></b><br>While Zephaniah speaks of judgment, the broader context of his prophecy also includes hope for restoration. God's ultimate desire is for His people to return to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_in_the_light.htm">Living in the Light</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to walk in the light of Christ, avoiding the spiritual blindness that comes from sin. This involves daily seeking God's guidance and aligning our lives with His Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_zephaniah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Zephaniah 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_envy_the_decay_of_one's_inner_self.htm">What is 'The Great and Dreadful Day'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_zephaniah_3_17_with_wrath.htm">How do we reconcile Zephaniah 3:17’s depiction of a rejoicing God with earlier passages describing severe wrath and destruction? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jehoshaphat_follow_david's_ways.htm">(2 Chronicles 17:3-4) How can Jehoshaphat be said to walk in David's ways without referencing David's well-documented moral failures in earlier narratives?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_zephaniah_1_2-3_align_with_science.htm">In Zephaniah 1:2-3, how can the claim that God will 'sweep away everything from the face of the earth' be reconciled with scientific understanding of global biodiversity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zephaniah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - In this storming of cities and universal ruin, sinners shall perish without hope. <span class="cmt_word">I will bring distress upon men.</span> I will drive them into the utmost straits (comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-52.htm">Deuteronomy 28:52, 53</a>). <span class="cmt_word">They shall walk like blind men.</span> Not knowing where they go in their terror and confusion, seeking a way of escape and finding none (see <a href="/deuteronomy/28-29.htm">Deuteronomy 28:29</a>, on which this passage is founded; comp. <a href="/job/5-14.htm">Job 5:14</a>; <a href="/isaiah/59-10.htm">Isaiah 59:10</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Because they have sinned,</span> as shown in vers. 4-12. <span class="cmt_word">Their blood shall be poured out as dust.</span> The point of comparison is rather in the worthlessness than in the abundance of dust. Bloodshed is as little regarded as dust that is trodden under foot (comp. <a href="/2_kings/13-7.htm">2 Kings 13:7</a>). The comparison with water is found elsewhere (cf. <a href="/psalms/79-3.htm">Psalm 79:3</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Their flesh as the dung.</span> The verb from the preceding clause may be taken by zeuguna with this clause; then the meaning is that their dead bodies are left unburied to rot on the ground (<a href="/jeremiah/9-22.htm">Jeremiah 9:22</a>). Or the substantive verb may be supplied (comp. <a href="/job/20-7.htm">Job 20:7</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/zephaniah/1-17.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">I will bring such distress</span><br /><span class="heb">וַהֲצֵרֹ֣תִי</span> <span class="translit">(wa·hă·ṣê·rō·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6887.htm">Strong's 6887: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on mankind</span><br /><span class="heb">לָאָדָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that they will walk</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָֽלְכוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the blind,</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּֽעִוְרִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(ka·‘iw·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5787.htm">Strong's 5787: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</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">they have sinned</span><br /><span class="heb">חָטָ֑אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ṭā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">לַֽיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Their blood</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּמָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(dā·mām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be poured out</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֻׁפַּ֤ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šup·paḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - QalPass - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like dust</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּֽעָפָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(ke·‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and their flesh</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְחֻמָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·ḥu·mām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3894.htm">Strong's 3894: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eaten, food, flesh, body</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like dung.</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּגְּלָלִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(kag·gə·lā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1561.htm">Strong's 1561: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dung</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Zephaniah 1:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/zephaniah/1-17.htm">OT Prophets: Zephaniah 1:17 I will bring distress on men that (Zeph. Zep Zp) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zephaniah/1-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zephaniah 1:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 1:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zephaniah/1-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zephaniah 1:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 1:18" /></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>