What does Zephaniah 2:7 mean?
"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." - Zephaniah 2:7
The verse Zephaniah 2:7 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads: "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."
This verse comes from the Book of Zephaniah in the Old Testament, which is attributed to the prophet Zephaniah. Zephaniah was a contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah and was active during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. The Book of Zephaniah contains prophecies of judgment against Judah for their idolatry and sins, as well as prophecies of restoration and redemption for the remnant of the people who repent and turn back to God.
In Zephaniah 2:7, the prophet speaks of a future time when the coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah. This implies that although the nation of Judah will face judgment and exile, there will be a remnant—a small, surviving group—that will be preserved by God. This remnant will "feed thereupon," indicating that they will have sustenance and provision in the land. This imagery of feeding suggests that God will care for and nourish this remnant, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
The verse goes on to say that the remnant of Judah will "lie down in the evening" in the houses of Ashkelon. This imagery of resting and dwelling in the houses of Ashkelon represents a sense of security and peace for the remnant. Despite being in a foreign land, they will find rest and refuge there, indicating that God will provide for their needs and protect them.
The latter part of the verse states that "the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity." This is a promise of God's intervention and deliverance for the remnant. The idea of God visiting them conveys the sense of his presence and active involvement in their lives. The phrase "turn away their captivity" speaks to the restoration and release from exile that God will bring about for his people. It signifies a reversal of their fortunes, as God will bring them back from captivity and into a place of freedom and blessing.
In this verse, several themes emerge that are prominent throughout the book of Zephaniah and the Old Testament as a whole. One of the central themes is that of judgment and restoration. The prophet Zephaniah proclaims the coming judgment of God upon Judah for their sins and idolatry. However, he also speaks of God's redemptive work and the restoration of the remnant who turn back to him in repentance. This verse emphasizes the hope and promise of restoration for those who remain faithful to God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Another theme in this verse is the faithfulness of God to his people. Despite the judgment and exile that Judah will face, God promises to care for and protect the remnant. He will provide for their needs, give them rest and security, and ultimately bring about their deliverance from captivity. This demonstrates God's enduring love and faithfulness to his people, even in times of trouble and hardship.
In terms of context, Zephaniah 2:7 must be understood in the broader context of the book of Zephaniah and the historical circumstances of Judah during the prophet's time. The nation of Judah was facing the threat of invasion and exile due to their unfaithfulness to God and their idolatrous practices. Zephaniah's prophecies were a warning of the impending judgment that would come upon the nation if they did not turn back to God. However, along with the message of judgment, Zephaniah also communicated a message of hope for the remnant of the people who would remain faithful to God.
Symbolically, this verse represents the faithfulness of God to his people, as well as the promise of restoration and deliverance for those who trust in him. The imagery of feeding, lying down, and being visited by the Lord conveys a sense of God's care and provision for his people. The concept of turning away their captivity symbolizes the reversal of their circumstances and the release from bondage that God will bring about for the remnant.
Overall, Zephaniah 2:7 is a verse that encapsulates the themes of judgment, restoration, and God's faithfulness to his people. It serves as a reminder of God's promise to care for and protect his faithful remnant, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, and to ultimately bring about their deliverance and restoration.
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Zephaniah 2:7 - "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."
"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." - Zephaniah 2:7
Zephaniah 2:6 - "And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks."
Zephaniah 2:12 - "¶ Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword."
Zephaniah 2:1 - "Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;"
Zephaniah 1:2 - "I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD."
Zephaniah 1:7 - "Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests."
Zephaniah 2:10 - "This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts."
2 Kings 25:18 - "¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:"
Zephaniah 3:2 - "She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God."
Zephaniah 2:4 - "¶ For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up."
Zephaniah 2:13 - "And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness."
Zephaniah 2:2 - "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."
Zephaniah 3:7 - "I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings."
Zephaniah 2:8 - "¶ 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."
"¶ Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword." - Zephaniah 2:12
"And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks." - Zephaniah 2:6
"Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;" - Zephaniah 2:1
Zephaniah 2:5 - "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."
Zephaniah 2:11 - "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."
"I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD." - Zephaniah 1:2
Zephaniah 2:3 - "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."
"This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts." - Zephaniah 2:10
Zephaniah 2:14 - "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."
"¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:" - 2 Kings 25:18
Zephaniah 2:15 - "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."
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’s anger.
Zephaniah 2: 3 Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD’s anger.
"She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God." - Zephaniah 3:2
"Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests." - Zephaniah 1:7