King James Version

What Does Zephaniah 2:9 Mean?

Zephaniah 2:9 in the King James Version says “Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammo... — study this verse from Zephaniah chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Zephaniah 2:9 · KJV


Context

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.

10

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

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. famish: Heb. make lean


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts (chai-ani ne'um YHWH tseva'ot)—God swears by His own life, the strongest possible oath (Hebrews 6:13). His own existence guarantees this judgment. 'LORD of hosts' emphasizes His command over heavenly armies.

Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah—The fate of Lot's descendants mirrors Lot's original cities (Genesis 19:24-25). The breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation (mimshaq charul u'mikhrah melach u'shemamah ad-olam)—The Dead Sea region's desolation extends to their territories. Yet the residue of my people shall spoil them—God's remnant will inherit their land, reversing the oppressor-oppressed relationship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Dead Sea's eastern shore, once Moab and Ammon's territory, remains largely desolate—one of earth's harshest environments. Archaeological sites show destruction layers from Babylonian campaigns, followed by sparse occupation. The Nabataeans and later Arabs occupied the region, but Moabites and Ammonites disappeared as distinct peoples.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's oath 'as I live' teach about the certainty of His promises and threats?
  2. How does the fate of Moab and Ammon warn against taking advantage of God's people during their weakness?
  3. In what sense does the church—the 'remnant'—inherit the territories of hostile powers that opposed God's kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
לָכֵ֣ן1 of 28
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

חַי2 of 28

Therefore as I live

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אָ֡נִי3 of 28
H589

i

נְאֻם֩4 of 28

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֨ה5 of 28

the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֜וֹת6 of 28

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י7 of 28

the 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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל8 of 28

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּֽי9 of 28
H3588

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

מוֹאָ֞ב10 of 28

Surely Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

כִּסְדֹ֤ם11 of 28

shall be as Sodom

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

תִּֽהְיֶה֙12 of 28
H1961

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

וּבְנֵ֤י13 of 28

and the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַמּוֹן֙14 of 28

of Ammon

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

כַּֽעֲמֹרָ֔ה15 of 28

as Gomorrah

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

מִמְשַׁ֥ק16 of 28

even the breeding

H4476

a possession

חָר֛וּל17 of 28

of nettles

H2738

properly, pointed, i.e., a bramble or other thorny weed

וּמִכְרֵה18 of 28
H953

a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison)

מֶ֥לַח19 of 28
H4417

properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)

וּשְׁמָמָ֖ה20 of 28

desolation

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

עַד21 of 28

and a perpetual

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָ֑ם22 of 28
H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

שְׁאֵרִ֤ית23 of 28

the residue

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

עַמִּי֙24 of 28

of my people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יְבָזּ֔וּם25 of 28

shall spoil

H962

to plunder

וְיֶ֥תֶר26 of 28

them and the remnant

H3499

properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)

גּוֹיִ֖27 of 28

of my people

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

יִנְחָלֽוּם׃28 of 28

shall possess

H5157

to inherit (as a (figurative) mode of descent), or (generally) to occupy; causatively, to bequeath, or (generally) distribute, instate


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 2:9 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 2:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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