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Zephaniah, 2

1. Gather together, gather together, nations without shame,

1. Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;

2. before you are dispersed like chaff which disappears in a day; before Yahweh's burning anger overtakes you (before the Day of Yahweh's anger overtakes you).

2. Before the decree bring forth, [before] the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.

3. Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the earth, who obey his commands. Seek uprightness, seek humility: you may perhaps find shelter on the Day of Yahweh's anger.

3. Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

4. For Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon reduced to ruins; Ashdod will be driven out in broad daylight and Ekron uprooted.

4. For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

5. Disaster to the members of the coastal league, to the nation of the Cherethites! This is the word of Yahweh against you: I shall subdue you, land of the Philistines, I shall destroy you till there are no inhabitants left;

5. Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD [is] against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

6. and the coastal league will be reduced to pasture land, to grazing grounds for shepherds and folds for sheep;

6. And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

7. and the league will belong to the remnant of the House of Judah; they will pasture their flocks there, at night they will rest in the houses of Ashkelon; for, when Yahweh their God has punished them, he will restore their fortunes.

7. And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

8. I have heard the taunt of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, as they taunted my people and boasted of their own domains.

8. I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified [themselves] against their border.

9. For this, as I live -- declares Yahweh Sabaoth, God of Israel -- Moab will become like Sodom and the Ammonites like Gomorrah: a realm of nettles, a heap of salt, a desolation for ever. What is left of my people will plunder them, the survivors of my nation will take their heritage.

9. Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

10. This will be the price of their pride for having taunted and boasted over the people of Yahweh Sabaoth.

10. This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified [themselves] against the people of the LORD of hosts.

11. Yahweh will be fearsome to them, for he will scatter all the gods of the earth, and they will bow down to him, each from his own place -- all the islands of the nations.

11. The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen.

12. You Ethiopians too will be run through by my sword.

12. Ye Ethiopians also, ye [shall be] slain by my sword.

13. He will raise his hand against the north and bring Assyria down in ruins; he will make Nineveh a waste, as dry as a desert.

13. And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, [and] dry like a wilderness.

14. Flocks will rest inside there, so will wild animals; pelican and porcupine will nest round her cornices at night; the owl will hoot at the window and the raven croak on the doorstep -- for the cedar has been torn down.

14. 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.

15. This is what the city will be like, once living happy and carefree and thinking to itself, 'I have no rival -- not I!' And what will it be now? A ruin, a lair for wild beasts to rest in, and everyone who passes by will whistle and throw up his hands.

15. This [is] the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I [am], and [there is] none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, [and] wag his hand.



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Notes de bas de page:

2:1-3 - Zephaniah calls for Judah's collective repentance. The pursuit of righteousness and humility is crucial to avoiding God's judgment. True change begins with a repentant heart, turning to God in humility and prayer (see also 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Isaiah 55:6-7).

2:4-7 - God's judgment is announced on Judah's neighboring nations, such as the Philistines, Moab, and Ammonites. These nations are guilty of arrogance and oppression, and divine judgment will extend to all nations that practice wickedness. This teaches that God judges all nations according to His righteous standards (see also Jeremiah 46:10 and Isaiah 13:2-16).

2:8-11 - The judgment on Moab and Ammon is detailed, highlighting how attitudes of pride and arrogance will lead to their destruction. God's sovereignty over all nations is reaffirmed, and His dominion is not limited by borders (see also Ezekiel 25:1-7 and Jeremiah 48:1-47).

2:12-15 - The destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, is prophesied. Nineveh was a proud and oppressive empire, and its judgment will be an example of how arrogance before God results in downfall. This judgment also applies to all human powers that rise up against God (see also Nahum 1:1-7 and Isaiah 10:5-19).

Versets liés à Zephaniah, 2:

Zephaniah chapter 2 expands divine judgment to neighboring nations. How is God's justice universally manifested? This comprehensive text pronounces judgments against Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia, and Assyria, revealing that no people escape divine scrutiny. The chapter also includes a call to repentance for the "humble people." Zephaniah 2 explores themes such as national pride, God's global sovereignty, and hope in the midst of judgment. Consider with us five biblical passages that illuminate the eternal principles of this powerful chapter.

Jeremiah 47:4-5: "The day has come to destroy all the Philistines and eliminate all survivors who could help Tire and Sidon. The Lord will destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the coast of Caphtor. Gaza will shave her head, Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant on the plain, how long will you make incisions in your body?" - This prophecy of Jeremiah against the Philistines has parallels with the prophecies of Zephaniah 2 against the nations surrounding Israel.

Ezekiel 25:15-17: "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because the Philistines have acted with vengeance and avenged themselves with malice and ancient hostility, therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will stretch out my hand against the Philistines, I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy those who are left on the coast. . I will exact terrible vengeance on them and punish them with wrath. Then, when I take revenge on them, they will know that I am the Lord.'" - Ezekiel's prophecy against the Philistines reflects similar themes to those found in Zephaniah 2, showing consistency in prophecies against the nations.

Amos 1:6-8: "Thus says the Lord: 'For three transgressions of Gaza, and even more for four, I will not lift the punishment. Because they took a whole people captive and handed them over to Edom. Therefore I will set fire to the walls of Gaza, and it will consume its fortresses. I will eliminate the king of Ashdod and the one who wields the scepter in Ashkelon. I will turn my hand against Ekron until the last of the Philistines dies,' says the Sovereign Lord." - Amos' prophecies against the Philistine cities echo the warnings of Zephaniah 2, demonstrating the coherence of the prophetic messages against the nations.

Isaiah 15:1: "Warning against Moab: By night Ar, in Moab, is destroyed and razed! By night Kir, in Moab, is destroyed and razed!" - This prophecy of Isaiah against Moab has parallels with the warnings of Zephaniah 2 against the surrounding nations, including Moab.

Obadiah 1:15: "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, so will it be done to you; your actions will turn against your own head." - Obadiah expresses a similar theme to Zephaniah 2 about the judgment of the nations, emphasizing the universality of divine judgment.

FAQ:

What does Zephaniah 2 teach about the judgment of the nations?

Zephaniah 2 prophesies the judgment of Israel's enemy nations, such as the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Ethiopians, and Assyrians. God will punish the nations for their arrogance and idolatrous practices. (Zephaniah 2:4-15)

What should the inhabitants of Judah do, according to Zephaniah 2?

Zephaniah 2 exhorts the righteous to pursue righteousness and humility in order to escape destruction. God promises salvation to the humble and righteous. (Zephaniah 2:3)

How is the destruction of Nineveh described in Zephaniah 2?

Zephaniah 2 predicts the fall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, because of its arrogance and wickedness. Nineveh will be destroyed, and no one will mourn for her. (Zephaniah 2:13-15)

What is the "remnant of Israel" mentioned in Zephaniah 2?

The "remnant of Israel" refers to the faithful who will survive the judgment and be restored by God. They will live in peace and harmony with God's will. (Zephaniah 2:7, 3:13)

What does the "day of the Lord's anger" mean in Zephaniah 2?

The "day of the Lord's anger" in Zephaniah 2 is a time of destruction and judgment, in which God will punish the arrogance and injustice of wicked nations. (Zephaniah 2:2-3)


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