King James Version

What Does Zephaniah 2:7 Mean?

Zephaniah 2:7 in the King James Version says “And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall... — study this verse from Zephaniah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 . for the LORD: or, when, etc

Zephaniah 2:7 · KJV


Context

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 sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

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 . for the LORD: or, when, etc

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

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah (ve'hayah chevel liSh'erit beit Yehudah)—God promises dispossessed Philistine territory to Judah's remnant. The Hebrew she'erit (remnant) is a key prophetic concept: God always preserves a faithful minority (Isaiah 10:20-22, Romans 9:27, 11:5).

The LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity (paqad... ve'shav shevutam)—'Visit' (paqad) means divine intervention, often for salvation (Genesis 50:24, Exodus 3:16). 'Turn away captivity' is literally 'restore fortunes,' looking beyond Babylon's exile to eschatological restoration. This promise finds fulfillment in Christ's redemption of a remnant from all nations, the true 'Israel of God' (Galatians 6:16).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

After Babylon's conquest, the Persian period saw some Jewish settlement in formerly Philistine areas. More significantly, early Christianity spread rapidly along this Mediterranean coast (Acts 8:40), with Gentile believers grafted into the remnant of Israel (Romans 11:17-24)—the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'remnant' theology comfort believers when the visible church appears compromised or shrinking?
  2. In what sense is Christ's church the ultimate 'remnant of the house of Judah' inheriting enemy territory?
  3. Where do you see God 'visiting' His people today to 'turn away their captivity'—spiritually if not politically?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהָ֣יָה1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

חֶ֗בֶל2 of 17

And the coast

H2256

ruin

לִשְׁאֵרִ֛ית3 of 17

shall be for the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

בְּבָתֵּ֣י4 of 17

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֖ה5 of 17

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

עֲלֵיהֶ֣ם6 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִרְע֑וּן7 of 17

they shall feed

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

בְּבָתֵּ֣י8 of 17

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אַשְׁקְל֗וֹן9 of 17

of Ashkelon

H831

ashkelon, a place in palestine

בָּעֶ֙רֶב֙10 of 17

in the evening

H6153

dusk

יִרְבָּצ֔וּן11 of 17

shall they lie down

H7257

to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

כִּ֧י12 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִפְקְדֵ֛ם13 of 17

shall visit

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

יְהוָ֥ה14 of 17

for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם15 of 17

their God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְשָׁ֥ב16 of 17

them and turn away

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שְׁבִותָֽם׃17 of 17

their captivity

H7622

exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zephaniah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zephaniah 2:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zephaniah 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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