Zephaniah 1:17
Zephaniah 1:17 in Multiple Translations
I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against Jehovah; and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung.
And I will send trouble on men so that they will go about like the blind, because they have done evil against the Lord: and their blood will be drained out like dust, and their strength like waste.
I will bring trouble on humanity, making them walk like blind people because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be spilled like so much dust; their intestines like dung.
And I will bring distresse vpon men, that they shall walke like blind men, because they haue sinned against the Lord, and their blood shall be powred out as dust, and their flesh as the dongue.
And I have sent distress to men, And they have walked as the blind, For against Jehovah they have sinned, And poured out is their blood as dust, And their flesh [is] as dung.
I will bring such distress on men that they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
And I will distress men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as earth, and their bodies as dung.
Because you sinned against Yahweh, he will cause you to experience great distress; you will walk around groping like [SIM] blind people do. Your blood will flow from your bodies like [SIM] water, and your corpses will lie on the ground and rot [SIM].
Berean Amplified Bible — Zephaniah 1:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zephaniah 1:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/הֲצֵרֹ֣תִי
לָ/אָדָ֗ם
וְ/הָֽלְכוּ֙
כַּֽ/עִוְרִ֔ים
כִּ֥י
לַֽ/יהוָ֖ה
חָטָ֑אוּ
וְ/שֻׁפַּ֤ךְ
דָּמָ/ם֙
כֶּֽ/עָפָ֔ר
וּ/לְחֻמָ֖/ם
כַּ/גְּלָלִֽים
וַ/הֲצֵרֹ֣תִי
tsârar
H6887
to confine
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
לָ/אָדָ֗ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Prep | N-ms
וְ/הָֽלְכוּ֙
hâlak
H1980
to go
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
כַּֽ/עִוְרִ֔ים
ʻivvêr
H5787
blind
Prep | Adj
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לַֽ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
חָטָ֑אוּ
châṭâʼ
H2398
to sin
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
וְ/שֻׁפַּ֤ךְ
shâphak
H8210
to pour
Conj | V-Q-3ms
דָּמָ/ם֙
dâm
H1818
blood
N-ms | Suff
כֶּֽ/עָפָ֔ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
Prep | N-ms
וּ/לְחֻמָ֖/ם
lâchûwm
H3894
intestine
Conj | N-ms | Suff
כַּ/גְּלָלִֽים
gêlel
H1561
dung
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Zephaniah 1:17
וַ/הֲצֵרֹ֣תִי
tsârar
H6887
"to confine"
Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs
To rival means to oppose or afflict someone. In the Bible, this word is used to describe the struggles of the Israelites, such as when they were oppressed by their enemies or faced internal conflicts and afflictions.
Definition: to confine, besiege Another spelling of tsur (צוּר "to confine" H6696A)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait (trouble), vex. See also: Exodus 12:34; Psalms 8:3; Psalms 6:8.
לָ/אָדָ֗ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Prep | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
וְ/הָֽלְכוּ֙
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
כַּֽ/עִוְרִ֔ים
ʻivvêr
H5787
"blind"
Prep | Adj
This word describes someone who is blind, either physically or unable to see spiritually. In the Bible, it is used in Matthew 9:27 to describe the two blind men who followed Jesus. The word is also used in Romans 2:19 to describe spiritual blindness.
Definition: 1) blind 1a) blind (physically) 1b) blind (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: blind (men, people). See also: Exodus 4:11; Isaiah 35:5; Psalms 146:8.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לַֽ/יהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
חָטָ֑אוּ
châṭâʼ
H2398
"to sin"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To sin means to miss the mark or go wrong, incurring guilt or penalty, and can also mean to repent or make amends. It is used in the Bible to describe wrongdoing and its consequences.
Definition: 1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to miss 1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty 1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bear loss 1b2) to make a sin-offering 1b3) to purify from sin 1b4) to purify from uncleanness 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to miss the mark 1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin 1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way 1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass. See also: Genesis 20:6; 1 Kings 15:34; Psalms 4:5.
וְ/שֻׁפַּ֤ךְ
shâphak
H8210
"to pour"
Conj | V-Q-3ms
To pour or spill something out, like blood or a liquid. In the Bible, it can mean to shed blood or to pour out one's heart in prayer or complaint. For example, in Psalm 42:4, the writer pours out his soul to God.
Definition: : pour 1) to pour, pour out, spill 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour, pour out 1a2) to shed (blood) 1a3) to pour out (anger or heart) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) to be poured out, be shed 1c) (Pual) to be poured out, be shed 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be poured out 1d2) to pour out oneself
Usage: Occurs in 111 OT verses. KJV: cast (up), gush out, pour (out), shed(-der, out), slip. See also: Genesis 9:6; Jeremiah 6:6; Psalms 22:15.
דָּמָ/ם֙
dâm
H1818
"blood"
N-ms | Suff
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
כֶּֽ/עָפָ֔ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
Prep | N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
וּ/לְחֻמָ֖/ם
lâchûwm
H3894
"intestine"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to the intestines or bowels, but can also mean food or something eaten. It appears in Leviticus and other books to describe the body or what we consume. It is a term for the inner parts of the body or what nourishes us.
Definition: 1) intestines, bowels 1a) meaning uncertain 2) (CLBL) food, something eaten
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: while...is eating, flesh. See also: Job 20:23; Zephaniah 1:17.
כַּ/גְּלָלִֽים
gêlel
H1561
"dung"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word refers to dung or a ball of dung, often used as fertilizer. It is mentioned in the Bible as something unclean and worthless, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: dung, ball of dung
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: dung. See also: Job 20:7; Ezekiel 4:15; Zephaniah 1:17.
Study Notes — Zephaniah 1:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zephaniah 1:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zephaniah 1:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zephaniah 1:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
- Cambridge Bible on Zephaniah 1:17
- Barnes' Notes on Zephaniah 1:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
- Sermons on Zephaniah 1:17
Context — The Day of the LORD
15That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,
16a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers.
17I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
18Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 3:17 | You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. |
| 2 | Psalms 83:10 | who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 2:17 | Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way? |
| 4 | 2 Peter 1:9 | But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. |
| 5 | Matthew 15:14 | Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” |
| 6 | Micah 7:13 | Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the fruit of their deeds. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 10:18 | For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, at this time I will sling out the inhabitants of the land and bring distress upon them so that they may be captured.” |
| 8 | Isaiah 29:10 | For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers. |
| 9 | Romans 11:7 | What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, |
| 10 | Lamentations 5:16–17 | The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned! Because of this, our hearts are faint; because of these, our eyes grow dim— |
Zephaniah 1:17 Summary
This verse, Zephaniah 1:17, talks about a time of great trouble and distress that God will bring on those who have sinned against Him. It says that people will be so confused and without direction that they will 'walk like the blind'. This is because they have turned away from God and ignored His commands, similar to what is described in Isaiah 59:2 and Deuteronomy 28:15. The good news is that God is a God of love and mercy, and He desires to forgive and restore those who turn to Him, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cause of the distress mentioned in Zephaniah 1:17?
The distress is a result of mankind's sin against the Lord, as stated in the verse itself, and is a theme echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as Isaiah 59:2, which says that our iniquities have separated us from God.
How does this verse relate to God's character?
This verse shows that God is a holy and just God who punishes sin, as seen in other verses like Deuteronomy 28:15 and Psalm 7:11, which speak of God's wrath against those who disobey Him.
Is there any hope for those who are facing this distress?
While the verse itself does not offer hope, other parts of the Bible, such as Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28, remind us that God is also a God of love and mercy, and that He desires to redeem and restore those who turn to Him.
What does it mean to 'walk like the blind' in this context?
Walking like the blind, as mentioned in Zephaniah 1:17, means to be without direction or guidance, similar to how the Israelites are described in Deuteronomy 28:29, stumbling and helpless, when they disobey God's commands.
Reflection Questions
- How do I currently 'walk in the light' of God's presence, and are there areas where I am 'walking like the blind', ignoring God's guidance?
- What are some sins in my life that I need to confess and repent of, in order to avoid the kind of distress mentioned in this verse?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when faced with distress and uncertainty, like the kind described in Zephaniah 1:17?
- In what ways can I be a light in the darkness, pointing others to the hope and redemption found in Jesus Christ, especially in times of trouble and distress?
Gill's Exposition on Zephaniah 1:17
And I will bring distress upon men,.... Not upon men in general, but particularly on the men of Judea, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; and especially those that were in the fenced cities and high
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zephaniah 1:17
And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
I will bring distress; cast them into, and surround or besiege them with distress, calamities which shall greatly trouble and perplex. Upon men; the chiefest among them, the richest, and who think themselves safest; the mighty men, as , like blind men, shall neither know what to do nor where to flee, neither be fit for counsel nor action. Because they have sinned against the Lord; all this for their great sins against the Lord; these men of note have been as much greater in sin as in state above others, and shall be as much deeper in distress. Their blood shall be poured out as dust; as freely, abundantly, and as contemptibly, as dust in the highway. And their flesh as the dung; shall be spread as dung on the face of the earth to fatten and improve it; their life shall be of no more value than dust, their honour no more regarded than dung, and they shall be so used after death. I will bring distress; cast them into, and surround or besiege them with distress, calamities which shall greatly trouble and perplex. And their flesh as the dung; shall be spread as dung on the face of the earth to fatten and improve it; their life shall be of no more value than dust, their honour no more regarded than dung, and they shall be so used after death.
Trapp's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
Zephaniah 1:17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.Ver. 17. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men] The Dutch have a proverb, God puts out the eyes of him whom he intendeth to destroy; i.e. he besots and infatuates them, they shall be consilii et auxilii inopes: in rebus liquidis aqua haerebit: they grope for the wall like the blind, they grope as if they had no eyes: they stumble at noon day as in the night; they are in desolate places as dead men, Isaiah 59:10. This was long before threatened, Deuteronomy 28:28-29. Because they have sinned against the Lord] Sin is the mother of misery. See my Lovetokens. And their blood shall be poured out as dust] Than which nothing is more vile and abject; the enemy shall make no more of spilling their blood than of sprinkling a little dust, Copiosissime et abiectissime most richly and lowly. (Turner.) And their flesh as dung] Spread upon the land to manure it. The Hebrew word for flesh here may seem to signify worms’ meat. Our bodies are no better, why then do we pamper and pink them up?
Ellicott's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
(17) Walk like blind men.—i.e., groping about in fancied insecurity. The metaphor is taken from Deuteronomy 28:29. Their blood shall be poured out as recklessly as dust, and their flesh cast aside like the vilest refuse. Compare the sentence on Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:19): “He shall be buried with the burial of an ass,” &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
Verse 17. They shall walk like blind men] Be in the most perplexing doubt and uncertainty; and while in this state, have their blood poured out by the sword of their enemies, and their flesh trodden under foot.
Cambridge Bible on Zephaniah 1:17
17. The distress, though at first outward, leads to inward perplexity, when men can find no outlet or way, and grope like the blind. The comparison is a frequent one to express perplexity and helplessness: Deuteronomy 28:29 “thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness;” Isaiah 59:10. Here the perplexity is secondary, due to the paralysing calamities of the judgment; but in other cases by moral laws that operate invisibly moral confusion and perplexity invade the mind through sin. On the last part of the verse comp. Psalms 79:3; Psalms 83:10; Jeremiah 9:22; Jeremiah 16:4. The word translated flesh (again only Job 20:23) has been rendered by others, inwards, bowels (Frd. Delitzsch, Prolegomena, p. 193), but this sense is less probable.
Barnes' Notes on Zephaniah 1:17
I will bring distress upon men - I will hem them in, in anguish on all sides. God Himself shall meet them with His terrors, wherever they turn. “I will hem them in, that they may find it so” .
Whedon's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:17
17. The awfulness and suddenness of the calamity will throw the inhabitants into helpless confusion. Distress — Anxiety, terror, perplexity.
Sermons on Zephaniah 1:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Social Conditions by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein preaches about the alarming increase in the consumption of cigarettes and intoxicants, despite the efforts of reformers and prohibitionists, revealing the na |
|
The Best, Not the Good by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making choices in life between the bad, the good, and the best. He highlights the danger of settling for the good when we c |
|
Burning Fire of the Spirit - Part 1 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the description of the throne of God in Revelation 4:5. They emphasize that their aim is to provide practical teachings that lead to real-lif |
|
Blind Man's Bluff by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the question of why people should go to church. He explains that going to church is not just a commandment, but also a testimony of one's bel |
|
Babylon Is Falling by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the emergence of a new wave of Holy Ghost music in the church. He emphasizes the importance of worship and praise, particularly through the r |
|
I Wish That You Were Cold or Hot by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of losing focus on God amidst worldly success and prosperity. He highlights the story of a wealthy city that had become self-suff |
|
Eyes to See (2 of 2) by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a kind-hearted Indian pastor who had a small church in his home. Despite his limited resources, the pastor and his congregation wer |