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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Zephaniah 1:3 "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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/zephaniah/1-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/36_Zep_01_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Zephaniah 1:3 - Zephaniah Prophesies Judgment on Judah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/zephaniah/1-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/zephaniah/1-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/zephaniah/">Zephaniah</a> > <a href="/zephaniah/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm" title="Zephaniah 1:2">◄</a> Zephaniah 1:3 <a href="/zephaniah/1-4.htm" title="Zephaniah 1:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/zephaniah/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/zephaniah/1.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220I will sweep away both man and beast; I will sweep away the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea— and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.&#8221 &#8220When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,&#8221 declares the LORD, <a href="/nlt/zephaniah/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> “I will sweep away people and animals alike. I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, and I will wipe humanity from the face of the earth,” says the LORD. <a href="/esv/zephaniah/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. <a href="/bsb/zephaniah/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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. <a href="/kjv/zephaniah/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/zephaniah/1.htm">New King James Version</a> “I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, The fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks along with the wicked. I will cut off man from the face of the land,” Says the LORD. <a href="/nasb_/zephaniah/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “I will remove human and animal life; I will remove the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea, And the ruins along with the wicked; And I will eliminate mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. <a href="/nasb/zephaniah/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I will remove man and beast; I will remove the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea, And the ruins along with the wicked; And I will cut off man from the face of the earth,&#8221 declares the LORD. <a href="/nasb77/zephaniah/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I will remove man and beast; I will remove the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea, And the ruins along with the wicked; And I will cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. <a href="/lsb/zephaniah/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “I will end man and beast; I will end the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea And the ruins along with the wicked; And I will cut off man from the face of the ground,” declares Yahweh. <a href="/amp/zephaniah/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “I will consume and sweep away man and beast; I will consume and sweep away the birds of the air And the fish of the sea, And the stumbling blocks (idols) along with the wicked; And I will cut off and destroy man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. <a href="/csb/zephaniah/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I will sweep away people and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth. This is the LORD’s declaration. <a href="/hcsb/zephaniah/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I will sweep away man and animal; I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, and the ruins along with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth. This is the LORD&#8217s declaration. <a href="/asv/zephaniah/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the face of the ground, saith Jehovah. <a href="/cev/zephaniah/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> people and animals, birds and fish. Everyone who is evil will crash to the ground, and I will wipe out the entire human race. <a href="/erv/zephaniah/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 face of the ground, saith the LORD. <a href="/gwt/zephaniah/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "I will put an end to humans and animals. I will put an end to the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and the sins that make people fall, together with the sinners. I will remove all people from the face of the earth," declares the LORD. <a href="/gnt/zephaniah/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> all human beings and animals, birds and fish. I will bring about the downfall of the wicked. I will destroy everyone, and no survivors will be left. I, the LORD, have spoken. <a href="/isv/zephaniah/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> "I'll consume both human beings and animals— I'll consume the birds of the sky, the fish in the sea, and the wicked along with their sin, when I eliminate human beings from the land," declares the LORD. <a href="/msb/zephaniah/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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. <a href="/net/zephaniah/1.htm">NET Bible</a> "I will destroy people and animals; I will destroy the birds in the sky and the fish in the sea. (The idolatrous images of these creatures will be destroyed along with evil people.) I will remove humanity from the face of the earth," says the LORD. <a href="/nheb/zephaniah/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> I will sweep away man and animal. I will sweep away the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and the heaps of rubble with the wicked. I will cut off man from the surface of the earth, says the LORD. <a href="/wbt/zephaniah/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. <a href="/web/zephaniah/1.htm">World English Bible</a> I will sweep away man and animal. I will sweep away the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and the heaps of rubble with the wicked. I will cut off man from the surface of the earth, says Yahweh. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/zephaniah/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “I consume man and beast, "" I consume bird of the heavens, and fishes of the sea, "" And the stumbling-blocks—the wicked, "" And I have cut off man from the face of the ground,” "" A declaration of YHWH, <a href="/ylt/zephaniah/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I consume man and beast, I consume fowl of the heavens, and fishes of the sea, And the stumbling-blocks -- the wicked, And I have cut off man from the face of the ground, An affirmation of Jehovah, <a href="/slt/zephaniah/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I will take away man and cattle; I will take away the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the unjust; and I cut off man from the face of the earth, says Jehovah.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/zephaniah/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I will gather man, and beast, I will gather the birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea: and the ungodly shall meet with ruin: and I will destroy men from off the face of the land, saith the Lord. <a href="/cpdv/zephaniah/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I will gather man and cattle; I will gather the flying things of the air and the fish of the sea. And the impious will be a catastrophe. And I will disperse men before the face of the earth, says the Lord. <a href="/nabre/zephaniah/1.htm">New American Bible</a> I will sweep away human being and beast alike, I will sweep away the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea. I will make the wicked stumble; I will eliminate the people from the face of the land—oracle of the LORD. <a href="/nrsvce/zephaniah/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I will sweep away humans and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. I will make the wicked stumble. I will cut off humanity from the face of the earth, says the LORD.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/zephaniah/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I will remove man and beast; I will remove the fowls of the air and the fish of the sea; I will bring a stumbling block against the wicked; and I will destroy man from the face of the earth, says the LORD. <a href="/hpbt/zephaniah/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> I remove the children of men and beast, I remove the bird of Heaven and the fish of the sea and I shall bring a stumbling block upon sinners and I shall destroy the children of men from the face of the Earth, says LORD JEHOVAH!<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/zephaniah/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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 face of the earth, Saith the LORD. <a href="/sep/zephaniah/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Let man and cattle be cut off; let the birds of the air and the fishes of the sea be cut off; and the ungodly shall fail, and I will take away the transgressors from the face of the land, saith the Lord. <a href="/parallel/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T0cd_1JKnyY?start=21" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/zephaniah/1.htm">Zephaniah Prophesies Judgment on Judah</a> …2“I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. 3<a href="/hebrew/5486.htm" title="5486: ’ā·sêp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-1cs) -- To come to an end, cease. A primitive root; to snatch away, i.e. Terminate.">“I will sweep away</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: ū·ḇə·hê·māh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">and beast;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5486.htm" title="5486: ’ā·sêp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-1cs) -- To come to an end, cease. A primitive root; to snatch away, i.e. Terminate.">I will sweep away</a> <a href="/hebrew/5775.htm" title="5775: ‘ō·wp̄- (N-msc) -- Flying creatures. From uwph; a bird, often collectively.">the birds</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of the air,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1709.htm" title="1709: ū·ḏə·ḡê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- A fish. Or dag; from dagah; a fish; or perhaps rather from da'ag; but still better from da'ag; a fish.">and the fish</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: hay·yām (Art:: N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river.">of the sea,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4384.htm" title="4384: wə·ham·maḵ·šê·lō·wṯ (Conj-w, Art:: N-fp) -- Something overthrown, a stumbling block. Feminine from kashal; a stumbling-block, but only figuratively (idol).">and the idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: hā·rə·šā·‘îm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">their wicked worshipers.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: wə·hiḵ·rat·tî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">I will cut off</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: hā·’ā·ḏām (Art:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">mankind</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: mê·‘al (Prep-m) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pə·nê (N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">the face</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: hā·’ă·ḏā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">of the earth,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.</a> 4“I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests—…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Genesis 6:7</a> So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.” <a href="/hosea/4-3.htm">Hosea 4:3</a> 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. <a href="/jeremiah/4-25.htm">Jeremiah 4:25-27</a> I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. / I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger. / For this is what the LORD says: “The whole land will be desolate, but I will not finish its destruction. <a href="/isaiah/24-1.htm">Isaiah 24:1-3</a> Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— / people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor. / The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word. <a href="/ezekiel/7-19.htm">Ezekiel 7:19-21</a> They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity. / His beautiful ornaments they transformed into pride and used them to fashion their vile images and detestable idols. Therefore I will make these into something unclean for them. / And I will hand these things over as plunder to foreigners and loot to the wicked of the earth, who will defile them. <a href="/amos/8-8.htm">Amos 8:8</a> Will not the land quake for this, and all its dwellers mourn? All of it will swell like the Nile; it will surge and then subside like the Nile in Egypt. <a href="/isaiah/2-19.htm">Isaiah 2:19-21</a> Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. / In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. / They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. <a href="/jeremiah/9-10.htm">Jeremiah 9:10</a> I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, a dirge over the wilderness pasture, for they have been scorched so no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. Both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled; they have gone away. <a href="/isaiah/13-9.htm">Isaiah 13:9</a> Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it. <a href="/ezekiel/14-13.htm">Ezekiel 14:13-21</a> “Son of man, if a land sins against Me by acting unfaithfully, and I stretch out My hand against it to cut off its supply of food, to send famine upon it, and to cut off from it both man and beast, / then even if these three men—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were in it, their righteousness could deliver only themselves, declares the Lord GOD. / Or if I send wild beasts through the land to leave it childless and desolate, with no man passing through it for fear of the beasts, ... <a href="/matthew/24-37.htm">Matthew 24:37-39</a> As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. / For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. / And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. <a href="/luke/17-26.htm">Luke 17:26-30</a> Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: / People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. / It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ... <a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Revelation 6:12-17</a> And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, / and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. / The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. ... <a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a> For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope / that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. / We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. <a href="/2_peter/3-6.htm">2 Peter 3:6-7</a> through which the world of that time perished in the flood. / And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling blocks with the wicked: and I will cut off man from off the land, said the LORD.consume man.<a href="/jeremiah/4-23.htm">Jeremiah 4:23-29</a> I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light… <a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Jeremiah 12:4</a> How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.<a href="/hosea/4-3.htm">Hosea 4:3</a> Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.stumbling-blocks.<a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a> By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.<a href="/ezekiel/7-19.htm">Ezekiel 7:19</a> They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.<a href="/ezekiel/14-3.htm">Ezekiel 14:3-7</a> Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? … and I.<a href="/ezekiel/14-13.htm">Ezekiel 14:13-21</a> Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: … <a href="/ezekiel/15-6.htm">Ezekiel 15:6-8</a> Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; As the vine tree among the trees of the forest, which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jonah/3-8.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-17.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/micah/1-13.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/hosea/11-11.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/amos/6-3.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-17.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/micah/7-10.htm">Downfall</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Face</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-14.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-14.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/hosea/9-11.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/hosea/7-12.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Heaps</a> <a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/micah/5-11.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Rubble</a> <a href="/nahum/3-7.htm">Ruins</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-15.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-11.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-21.htm">Stumblingblocks</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-15.htm">Stumbling-Blocks</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Sweep</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-13.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/8-10.htm">Animal</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-4.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Birds</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-4.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-4.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-4.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/luke/2-34.htm">Downfall</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-18.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-3.htm">Face</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-10.htm">Fish</a> <a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Fishes</a> <a href="/genesis/1-20.htm">Fowl</a> <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Fowls</a> <a href="/haggai/1-11.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/genesis/41-47.htm">Heaps</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/haggai/2-22.htm">Overthrow</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-11.htm">Remove</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm">Rubble</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-4.htm">Ruins</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-5.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-21.htm">Stumblingblocks</a> <a href="/matthew/13-41.htm">Stumbling-Blocks</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-3.htm">Surface</a> <a href="/luke/15-8.htm">Sweep</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-8.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Zephaniah 1</div>1. <a href="/zephaniah/1-1.htm">The time when Zephaniah prophesied.</a> 2. <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">God's severe judgments against Judah.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>I will sweep away man and beast; This phrase indicates a comprehensive judgment that includes both humanity and animals. It echoes the language of the Genesis flood narrative (<a href="/genesis/6-7.htm">Genesis 6:7</a>), where God expresses regret over the creation of man and decides to bring a flood to destroy all flesh. The inclusion of beasts suggests the extent of human sin has corrupted all creation, a theme also found in <a href="/romans/8-20.htm">Romans 8:20-22</a>, where creation groans under the weight of sin. This judgment is a reversal of the order established in <a href="/genesis/1.htm">Genesis 1</a>, where God created man and animals to live in harmony.I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, The mention of birds and fish further emphasizes the totality of the impending judgment. Birds and fish are often seen as symbols of freedom and life, respectively. Their destruction signifies the removal of life and freedom from the earth. This phrase may also allude to <a href="/hosea/4-3.htm">Hosea 4:3</a>, where the land mourns and all who dwell in it waste away, along with the beasts, birds, and fish, due to the sins of the people. The judgment is not limited to land but extends to the skies and seas, showing the pervasive nature of sin.and the idols with their wicked worshipers. Idolatry is a central theme in the prophetic literature, often leading to the downfall of nations (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a>). The destruction of idols and their worshipers highlights the spiritual corruption of the people. This phrase underscores the first commandment's importance and the consequences of violating it. The judgment against idols is a direct challenge to the false gods that people trusted instead of the LORD. This echoes the prophetic tradition of denouncing idolatry, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/2-18.htm">Isaiah 2:18-20</a>, where idols are cast away during the day of the LORD.I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth, This phrase signifies a severe and complete judgment, reminiscent of the flood narrative where God "blotted out" every living thing (<a href="/genesis/7-23.htm">Genesis 7:23</a>). The language of "cutting off" is often used in the Old Testament to describe divine judgment and covenant curses (<a href="/deuteronomy/28-63.htm">Deuteronomy 28:63</a>). It serves as a warning of the ultimate consequence of persistent sin and rebellion against God. The phrase also foreshadows eschatological themes found in the New Testament, where final judgment results in the separation of the righteous from the wicked (<a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a>).declares the LORD. This declaration emphasizes the authority and certainty of the message. The phrase "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula that authenticates the message as coming directly from God. It assures the audience that the words spoken are not merely human predictions but divine pronouncements. This underscores the seriousness of the judgment and the need for repentance. The authority of the LORD as the ultimate judge is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, affirming His sovereignty and justice (<a href="/isaiah/45-22.htm">Isaiah 45:22-23</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/z/zephaniah.htm">Zephaniah</a> A prophet in the Old Testament, Zephaniah's ministry took place during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. His prophecies focus on the coming judgment and the Day of the Lord. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, which is the primary audience of Zephaniah's prophecies. The nation is warned of impending judgment due to its idolatry and wickedness. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_day_of_the_lord.htm">The Day of the LORD</a> A significant theme in Zephaniah, referring to a time of divine judgment and wrath against sin, not only for Judah but for all nations. 4. <a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a> Objects of worship that have led the people of Judah away from the true God. The destruction of idols signifies God's judgment against false worship. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and justice in executing judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_god's_judgment.htm">The Universality of God's Judgment</a> God's judgment is not limited to a specific group but extends to all creation. This serves as a reminder of His sovereignty and the seriousness of sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a> Idolatry leads to destruction. We must examine our lives for anything that takes precedence over God and remove it to avoid spiritual downfall. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> The impending judgment is a call to repentance. We are urged to turn back to God, seeking His mercy and aligning our lives with His will. <a href="/topical/t/the_hope_of_restoration.htm">The Hope of Restoration</a> While judgment is certain, God's ultimate plan includes restoration for those who turn to Him. This offers hope and encourages us to remain faithful. <a href="/topical/l/living_in_light_of_the_day_of_the_lord.htm">Living in Light of the Day of the LORD</a> Understanding the reality of God's judgment should influence our daily lives, prompting us to live righteously and share the gospel with others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_zephaniah_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Zephaniah 1</a> <a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_8's_view_on_idols_compare.htm">How does the severe condemnation of these idolatries in Ezekiel 8 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of tolerating foreign gods?</a> <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 href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_3_19_contradict_human_soul_uniqueness.htm">Does Ecclesiastes 3:19, comparing humans and animals, contradict other scriptures that distinguish the uniqueness of human souls?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_rev_16_plagues_fit_science.htm">In Revelation 16, how could the massive and sudden plagues (Rev 16:2-4) align with scientific or natural processes?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zephaniah/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - Man and beast, etc This is not mere hyperbole to express the utter wasting and destruction that were impending, but points to the mysterious connection between man and the lower creation, how in agreement with the primal curse even material nature suffers for man's sin (<a href="/genesis/3-17.htm">Genesis 3:17</a>; <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22</a>). If we expect a new heaven and a new earth, we know that God will show his wrath against the old creation defiled with sin (<a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10</a>; camp. <a href="/jeremiah/4-25.htm">Jeremiah 4:25</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/9-9.htm">Jeremiah 9:9</a>, etc.; <a href="/hosea/4-3.htm">Hosea 4:3</a>). And the stumbling blocks with the wicked. Not the sinners only shall be swept away by this judgment, but also all offences, all causes of stumbling, whether idols or other incentives to departure from truth and right. Septuagint, καὶ ἀσθενήσουσιν οἱ ἀσεβεῖς. "and the ungodly shall be weak;" Vulgate, et ruinae impiorum erunt. These versions seem to have missed the point. I will cut off man. It is on man's account that this judgment is sent - a truth which the prophet enforces by reiteration. <a href="/commentaries/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“I will sweep away אָסֵ֨ף (’ā·sêp̄) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove man אָדָ֜ם (’ā·ḏām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> Ruddy, a human being and beast; וּבְהֵמָ֗ה (ū·ḇə·hê·māh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal I will sweep away אָסֵ֤ף (’ā·sêp̄) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove the birds עוֹף־ (‘ō·wp̄-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5775.htm">Strong's 5775: </a> Flying creatures of the air, הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky and the fish וּדְגֵ֣י (ū·ḏə·ḡê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1709.htm">Strong's 1709: </a> A fish of the sea, הַיָּ֔ם (hay·yām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3220.htm">Strong's 3220: </a> A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin and the ruins וְהַמַּכְשֵׁל֖וֹת (wə·ham·maḵ·šê·lō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4384.htm">Strong's 4384: </a> Something overthrown, a stumbling block along with the wicked. הָרְשָׁעִ֑ים (hā·rə·šā·‘îm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> Wrong, an, bad person I will cut off וְהִכְרַתִּ֣י (wə·hiḵ·rat·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant mankind הָאָדָ֗ם (hā·’ā·ḏām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> Ruddy, a human being from מֵעַ֛ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the face פְּנֵ֥י (pə·nê) Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face of the earth,” הָאֲדָמָ֖ה (hā·’ă·ḏā·māh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> Ground, land declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> An oracle the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Zephaniah 1:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-3.htm">OT Prophets: Zephaniah 1:3 I will sweep away man and animal (Zeph. Zep Zp) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zephaniah 1:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 1:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zephaniah/1-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zephaniah 1:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 1:4" /></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>