Zephaniah 2:14

Zephaniah 2:14 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

And herds shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the pelican and the porcupine shall lodge in the capitals thereof; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he hath laid bare the cedar-work.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And herds will take their rest in the middle of her, all the beasts of the valley: the pelican and the porcupine will make their living-places on the tops of its pillars; the owl will be crying in the window; the raven will be seen on the doorstep.

Free Bible Version FBV

Herds will lie down in the middle of the city. It will become the home for every kind of wild animal. Eagle owls and screech owls will roost on its columns. Their calls will echo through the windows. Rubble will block the doors, and the cedar woodwork will be exposed.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And flockes shall lie in the middes of her, and all the beastes of the nations, and the pelicane, and the owle shall abide in the vpper postes of it: the voyce of birdes shall sing in the windowes, and desolations shalbe vpon the postes: for the cedars are vncouered.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And crouched in her midst have droves, Every beast of the nation, Both pelican and hedge-hog in her knobs lodge, A voice doth sing at the window, 'Destruction [is] at the threshold, For the cedar-work is exposed.'

World English Bible WEB

Herds will lie down in the middle of her, all kinds of animals. Both the pelican and the porcupine will lodge in its capitals. Their calls will echo through the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds, for he has laid bare the cedar beams.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And flocks shall lie down in the midst thereof, all the beasts of the nations: and the bittern and the urchin shall lodge in the threshold thereof: the voice of the singing bird in the window, the raven on the upper post, for I will consume her strength.

Translation for Translators T4T

Flocks of sheep and herds of cattle and many kinds of wild animals will lie down there. Owls and crows will sit on the columns/pillars of the destroyed buildings, and they will ◄hoot/cry out► through the windows. There will be rubble in the doorways, and the valuable cedar boards will be taken from the ruined houses.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Zephaniah 2:14

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 2:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/רָבְצ֨וּ בְ/תוֹכָ֤/הּ עֲדָרִים֙ כָּל חַיְת/וֹ ג֔וֹי גַּם קָאַת֙ גַּם קִפֹּ֔ד בְּ/כַפְתֹּרֶ֖י/הָ יָלִ֑ינוּ ק֠וֹל יְשׁוֹרֵ֤ר בַּֽ/חַלּוֹן֙ חֹ֣רֶב בַּ/סַּ֔ף כִּ֥י אַרְזָ֖ה עֵרָֽה

וְ/רָבְצ֨וּ râbats H7257 to stretch Conj | V-Qal-3cp

בְ/תוֹכָ֤/הּ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms | Suff

עֲדָרִים֙ ʻêder H5739 flock N-mp

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

חַיְת/וֹ chay H2416 alive N-fs | Suff

ג֔וֹי gôwy H1471 Gentile N-ms

גַּם gam H1571 also DirObjM

קָאַת֙ qâʼath H6893 pelican N-fs

גַּם gam H1571 also DirObjM

קִפֹּ֔ד qippôwd H7090 porcupine N-ms

בְּ/כַפְתֹּרֶ֖י/הָ kaphtôr H3730 capital Prep | N-mp | Suff

יָלִ֑ינוּ lûwn H3885 to lodge V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

ק֠וֹל qôwl H6963 voice N-ms

יְשׁוֹרֵ֤ר shîyr H7891 to sing V-o-Imperf-3ms

בַּֽ/חַלּוֹן֙ challôwn H2474 window Prep | N-cs

חֹ֣רֶב chôreb H2721 drought N-ms

בַּ/סַּ֔ף çaph H5592 basin Prep | N-ms

כִּ֥י kîy H3588 for Conj

אַרְזָ֖ה ʼarzâh H731 cedar N-fs

עֵרָֽה ʻârâh H6168 to uncover V-Piel-Perf-3ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Zephaniah 2:14

וְ/רָבְצ֨וּ râbats H7257 "to stretch" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

To stretch or lie down, like an animal, and can imply resting or lurking, as in Exodus 23:5.

Definition: 1) to stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out 1a) (Qal) to lie down, lie 1b)(Hiphil) to cause to lie down 1b1) laying (stones)

Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: crouch (down), fall down, make a fold, lay, (cause to, make to) lie (down), make to rest, sit. See also: Genesis 4:7; Isaiah 11:7; Psalms 23:2.

בְ/תוֹכָ֤/הּ tâvek H8432 "midst" Prep | N-ms | Suff

This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.

Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.

עֲדָרִים֙ ʻêder H5739 "flock" N-mp

A flock refers to a group of animals, like sheep or cattle, that are herded together. In the Bible, it can also mean a herd or a drove of animals. This term is used to describe various scenes in the Bible.

Definition: 1) flock, herd 1a) flock 1b) herds, flocks and herds

Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: drove, flock, herd. See also: Genesis 29:2; Isaiah 17:2; Psalms 78:52.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

חַיְת/וֹ chay H2416 "alive" N-fs | Suff

In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.

Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)

Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.

ג֔וֹי gôwy H1471 "Gentile" N-ms

This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.

Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)

Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.

גַּם gam H1571 "also" DirObjM

Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.

Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike

Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.

קָאַת֙ qâʼath H6893 "pelican" N-fs

The pelican is a bird mentioned in the Bible, specifically in Leviticus 11:17 and Deuteronomy 14:17. It was considered unclean and is possibly related to the cormorant. Its exact meaning is still unknown.

Definition: 1) a ceremonially unclean bird 1a) perhaps pelican or cormorant 1b) perhaps an extinct bird, exact meaning unknown

Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: cormorant. See also: Leviticus 11:18; Psalms 102:7; Isaiah 34:11.

גַּם gam H1571 "also" DirObjM

Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.

קִפֹּ֔ד qippôwd H7090 "porcupine" N-ms

The porcupine is a small animal that curls up for defense, mentioned in the Bible as a shrinking creature. The KJV translates it as bittern, a type of bird.

Definition: 1) porcupine, hedgehog 1a) a shrinking animal

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: bittern. See also: Isaiah 14:23; Isaiah 34:11; Zephaniah 2:14.

בְּ/כַפְתֹּרֶ֖י/הָ kaphtôr H3730 "capital" Prep | N-mp | Suff

A capital or knob, referring to the top of a column or a decorative bulb. In the Bible, it describes the design of the candelabrum in Exodus.

Definition: 1) bulb, knob, capital, capital of a pillar 1a) knob, bulb (as ornament) 1b) capital (of a pillar)

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: knop, (upper) lintel. See also: Exodus 25:31; Exodus 37:19; Zephaniah 2:14.

יָלִ֑ינוּ lûwn H3885 "to lodge" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

To grumble or complain, this word describes a negative attitude of discontent or murmuring. It is used in the Bible to describe people who are unhappy or stubborn.

Definition: 1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lodge, pass the night 1a2) to abide, remain (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest, lodge 1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide

Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night), (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night). See also: Genesis 19:2; Judges 19:20; Psalms 25:13.

ק֠וֹל qôwl H6963 "voice" N-ms

A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.

Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)

Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.

יְשׁוֹרֵ֤ר shîyr H7891 "to sing" V-o-Imperf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.

Definition: 1) to sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sing 1a2) singer, songstresses (participle) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to sing 1b2) singer, songstress (participle) 1c) (Hophal) to be sung

Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: behold (by mistake for H7789 (שׁוּר)), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). See also: Exodus 15:1; Nehemiah 12:45; Psalms 7:1.

בַּֽ/חַלּוֹן֙ challôwn H2474 "window" Prep | N-cs

A window in ancient times was a hole in the wall, as described in the Bible. The Hebrew word for window is used in the story of Jezebel's death in 2 Kings 9:30-33. Windows were also mentioned in the Song of Solomon.

Definition: window (piercing of the wall)

Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: window. See also: Genesis 8:6; Proverbs 7:6; Jeremiah 9:20.

חֹ֣רֶב chôreb H2721 "drought" N-ms

The Bible uses this word to describe a state of drought or desolation, often as a result of sin. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses warned the Israelites of desolation if they disobeyed God. It is also used in the book of Jeremiah.

Definition: 1) dryness, drought, heat 1a) dryness 1b) drought 1c) parching heat

Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: desolation, drought, dry, heat, [idiom] utterly, waste. See also: Genesis 31:40; Isaiah 25:5; Isaiah 4:6.

בַּ/סַּ֔ף çaph H5592 "basin" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to a threshold, like a door sill, or a container for holding liquids. It can also mean a gate or post. The KJV translates it as threshold or bason.

Definition: 1) a spreading out, basin, goblet, bowl 1a) basin, goblet

Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate, post, threshold. See also: Exodus 12:22; 2 Chronicles 34:9; Isaiah 6:4.

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.

אַרְזָ֖ה ʼarzâh H731 "cedar" N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to cedar wood, often used in construction, like the cedar panels in Solomon's temple. It represents strength and durability. Cedar was highly valued in ancient times.

Definition: cedar-panels, cedar-work

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: cedar work. See also: Zephaniah 2:14.

עֵרָֽה ʻârâh H6168 "to uncover" V-Piel-Perf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to uncover or make something bare, and is used in various contexts, including being naked or pouring something out. It appears in Deuteronomy 28:48 and Isaiah 32:11. The KJV translates it as 'uncover' or 'empty'.

Definition: 1) to be bare, be nude, uncover, leave destitute, discover, empty, raze, pour out 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to bare, lay bare 1a2) to lay bare by emptying, empty 1a3) to pour out 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make naked, strip bare (of sexual offences) 1b2) to pour out 1c) (Niphal) to be poured out, be exposed 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to expose oneself, make oneself naked 1d2) pouring oneself, spreading oneself (participle)

Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover. See also: Genesis 24:20; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 37:35.

Study Notes — Zephaniah 2:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Zephaniah 2:14 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Zephaniah 2:14
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zephaniah 2:14
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14
Trapp's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14
Ellicott's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14
Cambridge Bible on Zephaniah 2:14
Barnes' Notes on Zephaniah 2:14
Whedon's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14
Sermons on Zephaniah 2:14

Context — Judgment on Cush and Assyria

12“You too, O Cushites, will be slain by My sword.” 13And He will stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria; He will make Nineveh a desolation, as dry as a desert.

14Herds will lie down in her midst, creatures of every kind. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Their calls will sound from the window, but desolation will lie on the threshold, for He will expose the beams of cedar.

15This carefree city that dwells securely, that thinks to herself: “I am it, and there is none besides me,” what a ruin she has become, a resting place for beasts. Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 13:19–22	And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. She will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there. But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. Hyenas will howl in her fortresses and jackals in her luxurious palaces. Babylon’s time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged.
2	Isaiah 34:11–17	The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction. No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing. Her towers will be overgrown with thorns, her fortresses with thistles and briers. She will become a haunt for jackals, an abode for ostriches. The desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and one wild goat will call to another. There the night creature will settle and find her place of repose. There the owl will make her nest; she will lay and hatch her eggs and gather her brood under her shadow. Even there the birds of prey will gather, each with its mate. Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit. He has allotted their portion; His hand has distributed it by measure. They will possess it forever; they will dwell in it from generation to generation.
3	Amos 9:1	I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape.
4	Jeremiah 22:14	who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion.
5	Isaiah 14:23	“I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts.
6	Revelation 18:2	And he cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast.
7	Zephaniah 2:6	So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep.

Zephaniah 2:14 Summary

Zephaniah 2:14 is a picture of what happens when a city or a people are abandoned by God, left to desolation and ruin, much like what is described in Isaiah 34:11. The animals that live there, like the desert owl and screech owl, are a sign that the city is empty and still, a shadow of its former self. This verse reminds us that God is the one who brings judgment, as seen in Jeremiah 25:12, and that He will expose the pride and luxury of those who oppose Him, calling us to humility and faith. By looking at this verse, we can see the importance of trusting in God and avoiding the dangers of pride, as warned in Proverbs 16:18.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of the animals in Zephaniah 2:14, such as the desert owl and screech owl?

The presence of these animals, including herds and creatures of every kind, signifies desolation and abandonment, as seen in Isaiah 13:21, where wild animals inhabit a deserted Babylon.

Why does the verse mention the beams of cedar being exposed?

The exposure of the beams of cedar in Zephaniah 2:14 suggests the removal of luxury and pride, much like in Isaiah 9:10, where the pride of man is humbled by God's judgment.

Is Zephaniah 2:14 talking about a specific city or location?

Although the verse does not explicitly mention a city, the context provided by the surrounding verses, such as Zephaniah 2:13, which talks about Nineveh, suggests that the desolation described may be related to the judgment of Nineveh or a similar city, as seen in Nahum 3:1-7.

What is the significance of the threshold in Zephaniah 2:14?

The threshold, where desolation lies, symbolizes the entrance or the beginning of a place, indicating that desolation is not just present, but it is also at the very start or foundation of the city, much like in Ezekiel 9:6, where the slaughter begins at the threshold of the Temple.

Reflection Questions

How can I apply the lesson of desolation and abandonment in Zephaniah 2:14 to my own life, recognizing the dangers of pride and the importance of humility?
In what ways can I, like the creatures in Zephaniah 2:14, find rest and peace in the midst of desolation, trusting in God's sovereignty?
What are the beams of cedar in my own life that need to be exposed, and how can I allow God to humble me and remove my pride?
How does the image of the desert owl and screech owl in Zephaniah 2:14 challenge my understanding of God's creation and His relationship with the natural world?
In what ways can I, as a follower of God, be a voice of warning and judgment, calling people to repentance and faith, as seen in the prophets of the Old Testament?

Gill's Exposition on Zephaniah 2:14

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her,.... In the midst of the city of Nineveh; in the streets of it, where houses stood, and people in great numbers walked; but now only should be seen the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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;

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14

Nineveh shall be so razed that flocks of cattle shall lie down in the midst of it, as before of the Philistines, . All the beasts of the nations; all sorts of beasts which are found in those countries, the tame under the girard of watching shepherds, and wild ones seeking their prey, will attend about those places. The cormorant and the bittern; birds that are solitary, and delight in desolate places, in reedy fens, where they seek their food, and are looked on as unlucky birds. Shall lodge in the upper lintels; shall either make their nests there, or seek and choose their lodging there; they shall roost there in the night upon the pillars, or turrets, or pinnacles. Their voice shall sing in the windows; these doleful creatures shall make a more doleful noise, that shall be all the music to be heard in their desolate windows. Desolation shall be in the thresholds, the lowest part of their houses; from top to bottom nothing but wastes and ruin; instead of beautiful ladies looking out at windows and doors and singing, now cormorants and bitterns, and their doleful notes. For he shall uncover the cedar work; or, when the Babylonian hath burnt the houses, or beat down the curious roofs and coverings of cedar, the beauty and the defence of their houses.

Trapp's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14

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.Ver. 14. And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, &c.] Here are various and vehement expressions of the dreadful face of her desolations. Omnia congerit quae vastitatem horribilem denotare solent, saith Gualther, because it was held a thing almost impossible that Nineveh should be destroyed. Hence that admiration of bystanders and beholders, Zephaniah 2:15. But what can be impossible to the Almighty? and what will not he do for his Church’ s cause and comfort? See Zephaniah 2:6. All the beasts of the nations] Which shall come from far to haunt this new desert, beaudesert. See Isaiah 13:21-22, and observe that parallel texts, like glasses set one against another, do cast a mutual light. The lapidary brighteneth his hard diamond with the dust shaved from itself; so must we clear hard Scriptures. Both the cormorant (or pelican) and the bittern] Those inauspicious birds of prey that are signs both of God’ s curse and man’ s misery, Isaiah 34:11. The former hath its name in Hebrew from vomiting, and seemeth, saith one, to be the same that we call the shovelard, which swallows shell fishes, and after vomiteth them to get the fish. The latter liveth about lakes, saith Pliny, and with her beak beateth the fish out of the shell with great vehemence. Shall lodge in the upper lintels of it] Beautified with pomegranates, flowers, and other curious garnishes, as are wont to be seen at the porches of palaces. Their voice shall sing in the windows] The black saints, as they say; where was wont to be heard all manner of music and melodious noises. Luxus cadet in luctum, their merry dances shall end in a miserable downfall. Desolation shall be in the thresholds] Which were wont to be worn out with the abundance of clients and parasites tracing over them. For he shall uncover the cedar work] i.e. God, or the enemy by God’ s appointment, shall uncover the roof made of cedar, for better continuance. Cedar is strong and durable; and by reason of the dryness of it the timber chawneth not, rotteth not; yea, it hath a property to preserve other things from putrefication, saith Scribonius. The Ninevites raftered their houses with it, as they say the Africans do with whale bones. But now that God shall bare them and expose them to the injury of wind and weather, how can they stand? and what can be in the thresholds but desolation?

Ellicott's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14

(14) Both the cormorant. . . .—Better, Both the pelican and the hedgehog shall lodge on her pillar capitals, these lying strewn upon the ground. Their voice.—Better, The voice [of the bird] shall sing in the windows. “In the midst of the desolation, the muteness of the hedgehog, and the pensive loneliness of the solitary pelican, the musing spectator is startled by the glad strain of some song bird, unconscious that it is sitting in the windows of those at whose name the world grew pale” (Pusey). This description of desolation extends even to the cedar panelling of the roofless walls, which is to be laid open to wind and rain.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14

Verse 14. And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her] Nineveh was so completely destroyed, that its situation is not at present even known. The present city of Mossoul is supposed to be in the vicinity of the place where this ancient city stood. The cormorant קאת kaath; and the bittern, קפד kippod. These Newcome translates, "The pelican and the porcupine." Their voice shall sing in the windows] The windows shall be all demolished; wild fowl shall build their nests in them, and shall be seen coming from their sills, and the fine cedar ceilings shall be exposed to the weather, and by and by crumble to dust. See the note on Isaiah 34:11; Isaiah 34:14, where nearly the same terms are used. I have in another place introduced a remarkable couplet quoted by Sir W. Jones from a Persian poet, which speaks of desolation in nearly the same terms. [Persian] "The spider holds the veil in the palace of Caesar: The owl stands sentinel in the watchtower of Afrasiab."

Cambridge Bible on Zephaniah 2:14

14. all the beasts of the nations] Sept. all the beasts of the earth, as the phrase usually runs (Genesis 1:24; Psalms 79:2), or beasts of the field. The phrase seems to stand in apposition to flocks, the idea of which it expands. The word “flocks” seems nowhere to be used of wild creatures, but always of those tended by the shepherd. The term “beasts” is generally used of wild creatures, but in Isaiah 46:1 it is used of tame animals, and elsewhere of creatures in general. The term nation (here sing.) is used of locusts (Joe 1:6), just as “people” is used of the ants and conies (Proverbs 30:25-26), and many assume that it is so used here, rendering, all kinds of animals in crowds (Keil, R.V. marg.). The construction is against such a sense, and there seems no reason for departing from the ordinary meaning of nation. Nineveh shall be a common pasture for every tribe of people. On the other hand, Wellhausen appears to take “beasts” in a figurative sense, rendering a motley medley of people, the reference being to the tribes who own the flocks. But though “beasts” be sometimes used figuratively of peoples, when the idea is to be expressed that they shall attack and devour another people (Isaiah 56:9), in a passage like the present such a sense is entirely unnatural. cormorant and the bittern] R.V. pelican and porcupine. The first word is usually supposed to denote the pelican (Deuteronomy 14:17; Isaiah 34:11; Psalms 102:6). Sept. renders the second “hedgehog”; by others it is supposed to mean the bittern (Tristram). For upper lintels, marg. more literally: chapiters (so R.V.), that is, the carved tops of the pillars now flung to the ground, or of those still standing amidst the ruins. Their voice shall sing] lit. a voice that singeth = hark! they sing! The idea of “singing” is strange; Sept. takes the word in a more general sense of the cry of birds or wild creatures. desolation shall be in the thresholds] Instead of “desolation,” Sept. (with difference of one letter) reads ravens, a reading which many follow. Cf. Isaiah 34:11. uncover the cedar work] The text is probably in disorder. The term “uncover” is that rendered rase to the foundation, Psalms 137:7 (see on Habakkuk 3:13). The supposed form rendered “cedar work” does not occur elsewhere. The slightest possible change in pointing would give her cedar, which might mean, her cedar work. The word, however, might possibly be some form of the verb to make lean (Zephaniah 2:11), either 1 pers. impf., I will make her void and rase her, or with Aramaic spelling (as Isaiah 63:3), 3 pers. perf., they shall make (lit. have made) her void and rase her, which is equivalent to the passive she shall be made void, &c. But all this is little satisfactory.

Barnes' Notes on Zephaniah 2:14

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her - No desolation is like that of decayed luxury.

Whedon's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:14

14. In the ruins desert animals will take up their abode. Flocks — R.V., “herds.” A word used elsewhere only of animals tended by herdsmen, but since the rest of Zep 2:14 seems to be an expansion of

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