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Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/zephaniah/2-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/36_Zep_02_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Zephaniah 2:14 - The Judgment on Cush and Assyria" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar." /><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> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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/2-14.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/2-14.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/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 14</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="/ad14.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/2-13.htm" title="Zephaniah 2:13">◄</a> Zephaniah 2:14 <a href="/zephaniah/2-15.htm" title="Zephaniah 2:15">►</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/2.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/2.htm">New International Version</a> Flocks and herds will lie down there, creatures of every kind. The desert owl and the screech owl will roost on her columns. Their hooting will echo through the windows, rubble will fill the doorways, the beams of cedar will be exposed. <a href="/nlt/zephaniah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> The proud city will become a pasture for flocks and herds, and all sorts of wild animals will settle there. The desert owl and screech owl will roost on its ruined columns, their calls echoing through the gaping windows. Rubble will block all the doorways, and the cedar paneling will be exposed to the weather. <a href="/esv/zephaniah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Herds shall lie down in her midst, all kinds of beasts; even the owl and the hedgehog shall lodge in her capitals; a voice shall hoot in the window; devastation will be on the threshold; for her cedar work will be laid bare. <a href="/bsb/zephaniah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar. <a href="/kjv/zephaniah/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work. <a href="/nkjv/zephaniah/2.htm">New King James Version</a> The herds shall lie down in her midst, Every beast of the nation. Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge on the capitals of her pillars; Their voice shall sing in the windows; Desolation shall be at the threshold; For He will lay bare the cedar work. <a href="/nasb_/zephaniah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Flocks will lie down in her midst, All animals that range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will spend their nights in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Devastation will be on the threshold; For He has uncovered the cedar work. <a href="/nasb/zephaniah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Flocks will lie down in her midst, All beasts which range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work. <a href="/nasb77/zephaniah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And flocks will lie down in her midst, All beasts which range in herds; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops of her pillars; Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work. <a href="/lsb/zephaniah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Flocks will lie down in her midst, All the beasts of the nation; Both the pelican and the hedgehog Will lodge in the tops of her pillars; Their voice will sing in the window, Ruin will be on the threshold; For He has laid bare the cedar work. <a href="/amp/zephaniah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Flocks will lie down in her midst, All the animals which range in herds; Both the pelican and the short-eared owl Will roost on the top of Nineveh’s pillars. Birds will sing in the window, Desolation will be on the threshold; For He has uncovered the cedar paneling. <a href="/csb/zephaniah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Herds will lie down in the middle of it, every kind of wild animal. Both eagle owls and herons will roost in the capitals of its pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but devastation will be on the threshold, for he will expose the cedar work. <a href="/hcsb/zephaniah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Herds will lie down in the middle of it, every kind of wild animal. Both the desert owl and the screech owl will roost in the capitals of its pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but devastation will be on the threshold, for He will expose the cedar work. <a href="/asv/zephaniah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And herds shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the pelican and the porcupine shall lodge in the capitals thereof; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he hath laid bare the cedar-work. <a href="/cev/zephaniah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Herds of wild animals will live in its rubble; all kinds of desert owls will perch on its stones and hoot in the windows. Noisy ravens will be heard inside its buildings, stripped bare of cedar. <a href="/erv/zephaniah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And herds shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the pelican and the porcupine shall lodge in the chapiters thereof: their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds; for he hath laid bare the cedar work. <a href="/gwt/zephaniah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Flocks will lie down in it along with animals of every kind. Even pelicans and herons will nest on top of its columns. Listen! A bird will sing in a window. The doorway will be in ruins, because the LORD will expose the cedar beams. <a href="/gnt/zephaniah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> It will be a place where flocks, herds, and animals of every kind will lie down. Owls will live among its ruins and hoot from the windows. Crows will caw on the doorsteps. The cedar wood of her buildings will be stripped away. <a href="/isv/zephaniah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Flocks will lie down in her midst, along with animals of every kind. Desert owls and screeching owls will nest at the top of the pillars, hooting through the vacant windows, 'Ruin sits at these doorsills,' for he will expose even the cedar framework. <a href="/net/zephaniah/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Flocks and herds will lie down in the middle of it, as well as every kind of wild animal. Owls will sleep in the tops of its support pillars; they will hoot through the windows. Rubble will cover the thresholds; even the cedar work will be exposed to the elements. <a href="/nheb/zephaniah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Herds will lie down in the midst of her, all the animals of the nations. Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. Their calls will echo through the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds, for he has laid bare the cedar beams. <a href="/wbt/zephaniah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the threshholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/zephaniah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar. <a href="/web/zephaniah/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Herds will lie down in the middle of her, all kinds of animals. Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. Their calls will echo through the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds, for he has laid bare the cedar beams. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/zephaniah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And droves have crouched in her midst, "" Every beast of the nation, "" Both pelican and hedgehog lodge in her knobs, "" A voice sings at the window, "" “Destruction [is] at the threshold, "" For the cedar-work is exposed.” <a href="/ylt/zephaniah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And crouched in her midst have droves, Every beast of the nation, Both pelican and hedge-hog in her knobs lodge, A voice doth sing at the window, 'Destruction is at the threshold, For the cedar-work is exposed.' <a href="/slt/zephaniah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the flocks lay down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: also the pelican, also the hedgehog shall lodge in her capitals; a voice shall sing in the window; desolation in the threshold: for the cedar was naked.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/zephaniah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And flocks shall lie down in the midst thereof, all the beasts of the nations: and the bittern and the urchin shall lodge in the threshold thereof: the voice of the singing bird in the window, the raven on the upper post, for I will consume her strength. <a href="/cpdv/zephaniah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And flocks will lie down in its midst, all the beasts of the Gentiles. And the pelican and the hedgehog will stay at its threshold; the voice of the singing bird will be at the window, with the crow above its threshold, for I will diminish her strength. <a href="/nabre/zephaniah/2.htm">New American Bible</a> In her midst flocks shall lie down, all the wild life of the hollows; The screech owl and the desert owl shall roost in her columns; The owl shall hoot from the window, the raven croak from the doorway. <a href="/nrsvce/zephaniah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Herds shall lie down in it, every wild animal; the desert owl and the screech owl shall lodge on its capitals; the owl shall hoot at the window, the raven croak on the threshold; for its cedar work will be laid bare.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/zephaniah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all kinds of beasts of the nations; both pelicans and the owls shall lodge in her houses; and wild beasts shall roar in the midst of her, and the sword shall be in her gates; for her foundations are laid bare. <a href="/hpbt/zephaniah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the flocks shall feed within her and all the animals of the nations, also the pelicans and the owls in their houses will spend the night, and the beasts shall roar within her, and the sword is inside her gates because her stock is uprooted<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/zephaniah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And all beasts of every kind Shall lie down in the midst of her in herds; Both the pelican and the bittern Shall lodge in the capitals thereof; Voices shall sing in the windows; Desolation shall be in the posts; For the cedar-work thereof shall be uncovered. <a href="/sep/zephaniah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And flocks, and all the wild beasts of the land, and chameleons shall feed in the midst thereof: and hedgehogs shall lodge in the ceilings thereof; and wild beasts shall cry in the breaches thereof, and ravens in her porches, whereas her loftiness was as as cedar. <a href="/parallel/zephaniah/2-14.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=376" 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/2.htm">The Judgment on Cush and Assyria</a> …13And He will stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria; He will make Nineveh a desolation, as dry as a desert. 14<a href="/hebrew/5739.htm" title="5739: ‘ă·ḏā·rîm (N-mp) -- A flock, herd. From adar; an arrangement, i.e. Muster.">Herds</a> <a href="/hebrew/7257.htm" title="7257: wə·rā·ḇə·ṣū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to crouch; be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed.">will lie down</a> <a href="/hebrew/8432.htm" title="8432: ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Midst. From an unused root meaning to sever; a bisection, i.e. the centre.">in her midst,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥay·ṯōw- (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">creatures</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: ḡō·w (N-ms) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">of every kind.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">Both</a> <a href="/hebrew/6893.htm" title="6893: qā·’aṯ (N-fs) -- (a bird) perhaps pelican. From qow'; probably the pelican.">the desert owl</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/7090.htm" title="7090: qip·pōḏ (N-ms) -- Porcupine. Or qippod; from qaphad; a species of bird, perhaps the bittern.">screech owl</a> <a href="/hebrew/3885.htm" title="3885: yā·lî·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- Or liyn; a primitive root; to stop; by implication, to stay permanently; hence to be obstinate.">will roost</a> <a href="/hebrew/3730.htm" title="3730: bə·ḵap̄·tō·re·hā (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Capital, knob, bulb. ">atop her pillars.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">Their calls</a> <a href="/hebrew/7891.htm" title="7891: yə·šō·w·rêr (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To sing. Or shuwr; a primitive root; to sing.">will sound</a> <a href="/hebrew/2474.htm" title="2474: ba·ḥal·lō·wn (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- A window. A window.">from the window,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2721.htm" title="2721: ḥō·reḇ (N-ms) -- Dryness, drought, heat. A collaterally form of chereb; drought or desolation.">but desolation</a> <a href="/hebrew/5592.htm" title="5592: bas·sap̄ (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A vestibule, a dish. From caphaph, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule; also a dish.">will lie on the threshold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/6168.htm" title="6168: ‘ê·rāh (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To be naked or bare. A primitive root; to be bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish.">He will expose</a> <a href="/hebrew/731.htm" title="731: ’ar·zāh (N-fs) -- Cedar panels, cedar work. Fem of 'erez; cedar wainscoating.">the beams of cedar.</a> 15This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: “I am it, and there is none besides me,” what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.…<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="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21-22</a> But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. / Hyenas will howl in her fortresses and jackals in her luxurious palaces. Babylon’s time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged. <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11-15</a> The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction. / No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing. / Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches. ... <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Jeremiah 50:39</a> So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation. <a href="/jeremiah/51-37.htm">Jeremiah 51:37</a> Babylon will become a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals, an object of horror and scorn, without inhabitant. <a href="/revelation/18-2.htm">Revelation 18:2</a> And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Isaiah 14:23</a> “I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Malachi 1:3</a> but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.” <a href="/revelation/19-17.htm">Revelation 19:17-18</a> Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice to all the birds flying overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, / so that you may eat the flesh of kings and commanders and mighty men, of horses and riders, of everyone slave and free, small and great.” <a href="/isaiah/24-1.htm">Isaiah 24:1</a> Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— <a href="/jeremiah/9-11.htm">Jeremiah 9:11</a> “And I will make Jerusalem a heap of rubble, a haunt for jackals; and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.” <a href="/ezekiel/26-13.htm">Ezekiel 26:13</a> So I will silence the sound of your songs, and the music of your lyres will no longer be heard. <a href="/isaiah/25-2.htm">Isaiah 25:2</a> Indeed, You have made the city a heap of rubble, the fortified town a ruin. The fortress of strangers is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt. <a href="/isaiah/32-14.htm">Isaiah 32:14</a> For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever—the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks— <a href="/jeremiah/49-33.htm">Jeremiah 49:33</a> “Hazor will become a haunt for jackals, a desolation forever. No one will dwell there; no man will abide there.” <a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Revelation 14:8</a> Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And flocks shall lie down in the middle of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds; for he shall uncover the cedar work.flocks.<a href="/zephaniah/2-6.htm">Zephaniah 2:6</a> And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.<a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Isaiah 13:19-22</a> And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah… <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11-17</a> But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness… commorant.<a href="/amos/9-1.htm">Amos 9:1</a> I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.for he shall uncover.<a href="/jeremiah/22-14.htm">Jeremiah 22:14</a> That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-13.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-11.htm">Beams</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-17.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Bittern</a> <a href="/micah/6-9.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/amos/9-1.htm">Capitals</a> <a href="/amos/2-9.htm">Cedar</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Cormorant</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-13.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-11.htm">Echo</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-6.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/joel/1-18.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-2.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-11.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Pelican</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Porcupine</a> <a href="/amos/9-1.htm">Posts</a> <a href="/amos/6-5.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-13.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-8.htm">Threshholds</a> <a href="/amos/9-1.htm">Thresholds</a> <a href="/nahum/3-5.htm">Uncover</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-9.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/micah/3-7.htm">Upper</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-14.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-30.htm">Voices</a> <a href="/joel/2-9.htm">Windows</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-2.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zephaniah/2-15.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/matthew/8-17.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/exodus/34-30.htm">Beams</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-15.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Bittern</a> <a href="/matthew/22-43.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/exodus/25-31.htm">Capitals</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-2.htm">Cedar</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-17.htm">Cormorant</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-15.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-11.htm">Echo</a> <a href="/luke/2-8.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/john/4-12.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-15.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-6.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-18.htm">Pelican</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-23.htm">Porcupine</a> <a href="/exodus/12-7.htm">Posts</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-14.htm">Sing</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-25.htm">Threshholds</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/9-19.htm">Thresholds</a> <a href="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Uncover</a> <a href="/matthew/10-26.htm">Uncovered</a> <a href="/mark/14-15.htm">Upper</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-2.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/luke/17-13.htm">Voices</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Windows</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-13.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Zephaniah 2</div>1. <a href="/zephaniah/2-1.htm">An exhortation to repentance.</a> 4. <a href="/zephaniah/2-4.htm">The judgment of the Philistines,</a> 8. <a href="/zephaniah/2-8.htm">of Moab and Ammon,</a> 12. <a href="/zephaniah/2-12.htm">of Ethiopia,</a> 13. <a href="/zephaniah/2-13.htm">and of Assyria.</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/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>Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. This phrase indicates a scene of desolation and abandonment. The city, once bustling with human activity, is now overtaken by animals. This imagery is often used in prophetic literature to signify divine judgment and the reversal of human civilization (<a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/50-39.htm">Jeremiah 50:39</a>). The presence of herds and various creatures suggests a return to a natural state, emphasizing the totality of the city's destruction and the absence of human inhabitants.Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. The mention of owls, often associated with desolation and ruin in biblical texts (<a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11</a>), reinforces the theme of judgment. Owls, being nocturnal and solitary creatures, symbolize the eerie silence and abandonment of the once-thriving city. The image of these birds roosting on pillars, which were once symbols of strength and architectural beauty, highlights the complete overthrow of human pride and achievement.Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, The calls of the owls echoing from the windows suggest a haunting presence, a reminder of what once was. Windows, typically associated with life and activity, now serve as openings for the sounds of desolation. The threshold, a place of entry and exit, now lies in ruin, symbolizing the end of habitation and the cessation of normal life. This imagery underscores the thoroughness of divine judgment, leaving no part of the city untouched.for He will expose the beams of cedar. Cedar beams were a sign of wealth and grandeur, often used in the construction of palaces and temples (<a href="/1_kings/7-2.htm">1 Kings 7:2-3</a>). The exposure of these beams signifies the stripping away of luxury and the vulnerability of what was once considered strong and enduring. This act of exposure is a divine action, indicating God's direct involvement in the judgment. It serves as a reminder of the futility of human pride and the ultimate sovereignty of God over all creation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/f/flocks_and_beasts_of_the_field.htm">Flocks and Beasts of the Field</a> Symbolic of desolation and abandonment, representing the complete destruction of a once-thriving city. 2. <a href="/topical/d/desert_owl_and_screech_owl.htm">Desert Owl and Screech Owl</a> Birds often associated with desolation and ruin in biblical literature, emphasizing the eerie silence and emptiness of the destroyed city. 3. <a href="/topical/c/columns_and_windows.htm">Columns and Windows</a> Architectural elements of the city, now serving as perches for birds, highlighting the city's fall from grandeur to ruin. 4. <a href="/topical/r/rubble_and_doorways.htm">Rubble and Doorways</a> Indicators of destruction and decay, symbolizing the judgment that has come upon the city. 5. <a href="/topical/b/beams_of_cedar.htm">Beams of Cedar</a> Once a sign of strength and beauty, now exposed and vulnerable, representing the complete exposure and humiliation of the city.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_judgment_and_accountability.htm">Divine Judgment and Accountability</a> God's judgment is thorough and complete. The imagery of desolation serves as a reminder that no city or nation is beyond accountability to God. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> The desolation depicted is a direct result of sin and rebellion against God. It serves as a warning to turn away from sin and seek righteousness. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a> While the imagery is bleak, it also points to the hope of restoration. God's judgment is not the end; He offers redemption and renewal to those who repent. <a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_earthly_glory.htm">The Transience of Earthly Glory</a> The fall of a once-great city reminds us of the temporary nature of earthly achievements and the importance of investing in eternal values. <a href="/topical/v/vigilance_in_faith.htm">Vigilance in Faith</a> The passage encourages believers to remain vigilant in their faith, recognizing the signs of spiritual decay and taking action to prevent it.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_zephaniah_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Zephaniah 2</a> <a href="/q/what_is_atman_in_hinduism.htm">What do owls symbolize in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_lilith_in_the_bible.htm">Who is Lilith in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_evidence_suggest_nineveh's_gradual_decline.htm">Zephaniah 2:13–14 describes Nineveh’s total desolation; if it was indeed devastated, why does some historical evidence suggest a gradual decline rather than an abrupt, supernatural judgment?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_owls_symbolize_in_the_bible.htm">What do owls symbolize in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zephaniah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - Flocks; herds. The prophet describes graphically the desolation mentioned in the preceding verse. The "herds" are not sheep and cattle, as in parallel cases (<a href="/isaiah/17-2.htm">Isaiah 17:2</a>; <a href="/isaiah/27-10.htm">Isaiah 27:10</a>; <a href="/isaiah/32-14.htm">Isaiah 32:14</a>), but all the beasts of the nations - all the wild beasts that infest the country. Septuagint, πάντα τὰ θηρία τῆς γῆς. The Hebrew will hardly hear Keil's rendering, "all kinds of beasts in crowds." (Compare similar predictions, <a href="/isaiah/13-21.htm">Isaiah 13:21</a>; <a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11, 14</a>). The cormorant (kaath); probably the pelican; Vulgate, onocrotalus; the Septuagint gives, χαμαιλέοντες, which word Schleusner thinks to have been interchanged with κόρακες that follows soon afterwards. Bat in the latter place Jerome has corvus. The pelican is found in the Assyrian monuments tinder more than one appellation (see 'Transact. of See. of Bibl. Archaeol.,' 8:93, etc., and 141). The bittern (kippod). Most recent critics translate this by "hedgehog" or "porcupine." The Septuagint has, ἐχῖνοι: the Vulgate, ericius. But neither hedgehog nor porcupine utters cries or frequents pools of water, and it may well be doubted whether some marsh-loving bird is not meant. Certainly the following clause suits the habits of a bird better than those of a hedgehog (see 'Bible Educator,' 3:312, where Dr. Tristram is quoted saying, "As a matter of fact, the bittern is very abundant in these swamps of the Tigris, and in all the marshy grounds of Syria; and its strange booming note, disturbing the stillness of the night, gives an idea of desolation which nothing but the wail of the hyena can equal"). No notice of the bittern seems to be found in the Assyrian monuments, though the mention of the heron is not uncommon. The kaath and kippod are commonly mentioned together, e.g. <a href="/isaiah/34.htm">Isaiah 34</a>. II. The upper lintels; "the capitals" of the columns (see note on Amos 9:1, where the same word kaphtor is used). Their voice shall sing in the windows; literally, the voice of the songster in the window. Birds shall perch and sing in the apertures of the ruined palaces. Vulgate, Vox cantantis in fenestra; the LXX. has, Θηρία φωνήσει ἐν, τοῖς διορύγμασιν αὐτῆς, "Wild beasts shall cry in the breaches thereof." Others translate, "Hark! it singeth in the windows." There are no traces of windows in any of the Assyrian palaces, even in the case of chambers next the outer walls. If daylight were admitted, it must have entered through openings in the ceilings (Layard, 'Nineveh.' 2:260). Desolation shall be in the thresholds. The word rendered "desolation" (chorebh) Jerome notes may be read as meaning "sword," "drought." and "raven;" he adopts the last signification, and translates, in agreement with the LXX., corvus. But it seems best to take the term as signifying "desolation;" no human creature shall be found there, only ruin and rubbish. Ewald renders, "Owls shall sing in the windows, crows on the threshold, 'shivered. crushed.'" For he shall uncover (he hath laid bare) the cedar work. God, or the enemy, has so destroyed the palaces that the cedar panelling is exposed to the weather. Jerome has, "Attenuabo robur ejus." We see by Sennacherib's boast (<a href="/isaiah/37-24.htm">Isaiah 37:24</a>) that the Assyrians imported cedars for building purposes. And we have monumental evidence of the employment of cedar in palaces at least since the time of Assurnazirpal, B.C. 860. Esar-haddon reports that he received cypress and cedar from Lebanon as tribute; and Assurbanipal states that in erecting his palace he used cedar pillars from Sirjon and Lebanon (Schrader, 'Die Keilinschrift. und Alt. Test.,' pp. 183, 453). Neriglissar, King of Babylon, B.C. 559, in rebuilding his palace, records that he "arranged tall cedars for its roof" ('Records of the Past,' 5:142). <a href="/commentaries/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Herds עֲדָרִים֙ (‘ă·ḏā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5739.htm">Strong's 5739: </a> An arrangement, muster will lie down וְרָבְצ֨וּ (wə·rā·ḇə·ṣū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7257.htm">Strong's 7257: </a> To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed in her midst, בְתוֹכָ֤הּ (ḇə·ṯō·w·ḵāh) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8432.htm">Strong's 8432: </a> A bisection, the centre creatures חַיְתוֹ־ (ḥay·ṯōw-) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life of every kind. כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every Both גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and the desert owl קָאַת֙ (qā·’aṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6893.htm">Strong's 6893: </a> (a bird) perhaps pelican and גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and screech owl קִפֹּ֔ד (qip·pōḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7090.htm">Strong's 7090: </a> A species of bird, the bittern will roost יָלִ֑ינוּ (yā·lî·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3885.htm">Strong's 3885: </a> To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate atop her [pillars]. בְּכַפְתֹּרֶ֖יהָ (bə·ḵap̄·tō·re·hā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3730.htm">Strong's 3730: </a> Capital, knob, bulb Their calls ק֠וֹל (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound will sound יְשׁוֹרֵ֤ר (yə·šō·w·rêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7891.htm">Strong's 7891: </a> To sing from the window, בַּֽחַלּוֹן֙ (ba·ḥal·lō·wn) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> A window but desolation חֹ֣רֶב (ḥō·reḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2721.htm">Strong's 2721: </a> Dryness, drought, heat will lie on the threshold, בַּסַּ֔ף (bas·sap̄) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5592.htm">Strong's 5592: </a> A vestibule, a dish for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction He will expose עֵרָֽה׃ (‘ê·rāh) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6168.htm">Strong's 6168: </a> To be, bare, to empty, pour out, demolish the beams of cedar. אַרְזָ֖ה (’ar·zāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_731.htm">Strong's 731: </a> Cedar panels, cedar work <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Zephaniah 2:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">OT Prophets: Zephaniah 2:14 Herds will lie down in the midst (Zeph. Zep Zp) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zephaniah/2-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zephaniah 2:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 2:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zephaniah/2-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zephaniah 2:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 2:15" /></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>