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Zephaniah 1:2

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Zephaniah 1:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

King James Version KJV

I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.

American Standard Version ASV

I will utterly consume all things from off the face of the ground, saith Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English BBE

I will take away everything from the face of the earth, says the Lord.

Free Bible Version FBV

I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

I will surely destroy all things from off the land, saith the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

I utterly consume all from off the face of the ground, An affirmation of Jehovah.

World English Bible WEB

I will utterly sweep away everything from the surface of the earth, says the LORD.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Gathering, I will gather together all things from off the face of the land, saith the Lord:

Translation for Translators T4T

Yahweh says, “I will ◄sweep away/destroy► everything [HYP] that is on the earth.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Zephaniah 1:2

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 1:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אָסֹ֨ף אָסֵ֜ף כֹּ֗ל מֵ/עַ֛ל פְּנֵ֥י הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה נְאֻם יְהוָֽה
אָסֹ֨ף ʼâçaph H622 to gather V-Qal-Ptc
אָסֵ֜ף çûwph H5486 to cease V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
כֹּ֗ל kôl H3605 all N-ms
מֵ/עַ֛ל ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Prep
פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 face N-cp
הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה ʼădâmâh H127 land Art | N-fs
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms
יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Zephaniah 1:2

אָסֹ֨ף ʼâçaph H622 "to gather" V-Qal-Ptc
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
אָסֵ֜ף çûwph H5486 "to cease" V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to cease or come to an end, often used to describe the end of something, like a period of time or a life. It is used in the Bible to describe the end of a season or a person's life, as seen in the book of Psalms.
Definition: 1) to cease, come to an end 1a) (Qal) to come to an end 1b) (Hiphil) to make an end Aramaic equivalent: suph (סוּף "be fulfilled" H5487)
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: consume, have an end, perish, [idiom] be utterly. See also: Esther 9:28; Jeremiah 8:13; Psalms 73:19.
כֹּ֗ל 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.
מֵ/עַ֛ל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
פְּנֵ֥י pânîym H6440 "face" N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה ʼădâmâh H127 "land" Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 "utterance" N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" 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.

Study Notes — Zephaniah 1:2

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Micah 7:13 Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the fruit of their deeds.
2 2 Kings 22:16–17 that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read, because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be kindled against this place and will not be quenched.’
3 Ezekiel 33:27–29 Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, those in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague. I will make the land a desolate waste, and the pride of her strength will come to an end. The mountains of Israel will become desolate, so that no one will pass through. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the abominations they have committed.’
4 Jeremiah 36:29 You are to proclaim concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah that this is what the LORD says: You have burned the scroll and said, ‘Why have you written on it that the king of Babylon would surely come and destroy this land and deprive it of man and beast?’
5 2 Chronicles 36:21 So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD through Jeremiah.
6 Isaiah 6:11 Then I asked: “How long, O Lord?” And He replied: “Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left unoccupied and the land is desolate and ravaged,
7 Jeremiah 34:22 Behold, I am going to give the command, declares the LORD, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, capture it, and burn it down. And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”
8 Jeremiah 6:8–9 Be forewarned, O Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you; I will make you a desolation, a land without inhabitant.” This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Glean the remnant of Israel as thoroughly as a vine. Pass your hand once more like a grape gatherer over the branches.”
9 Jeremiah 24:8–10 But like the bad figs, so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the LORD, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem—those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt. I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. And I will send against them sword and famine and plague, until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.’”
10 Genesis 6:7 So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”

Zephaniah 1:2 Summary

This verse means that God is going to completely remove all sin and wickedness from the earth, as He is a holy and just God. He wants to create a new and pure world, free from sin, as described in Revelation 21:1-4. This should motivate us to live a life pleasing to God, as described in Colossians 1:10, and to turn to Him in repentance, as seen in Acts 3:19. By doing so, we can avoid the coming judgment and experience God's love and mercy, as seen in Psalm 103:8-12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to 'sweep away everything from the face of the earth'?

This phrase indicates a complete and thorough judgment, where God removes all that is wicked and sinful, as seen in verses like Jeremiah 25:33 and Isaiah 2:12, which speak of God's day of judgment.

Is this verse talking about the end of the world?

While Zephaniah 1:2 does speak of a time of great judgment, it is not exclusively referring to the end of the world, but rather a time of God's judgment on sin, similar to what is described in Isaiah 13:9-11 and Matthew 24:21-22.

Why would God want to destroy everything?

God's desire is not to destroy for destruction's sake, but to remove sin and its consequences, as seen in Romans 6:23, and to create a new heaven and a new earth, as described in Revelation 21:1-4.

How can we apply this verse to our lives today?

This verse reminds us of the importance of living a life pleasing to God, as described in Colossians 1:10, and being aware of the coming judgment, as warned in 2 Peter 3:10-13, so we can repent and turn to Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some things in my life that I need to 'sweep away' in order to live a life pleasing to God?
  2. How can I balance the reality of God's judgment with His love and mercy, as seen in John 3:16 and Psalm 103:8-12?
  3. What are some idols or sinful habits in my life that I need to cut off, as described in verse 3?
  4. How can I use this verse to share the gospel with others and warn them of the coming judgment, as commanded in Matthew 28:18-20?

Gill's Exposition on Zephaniah 1:2

I will utterly consume all [things] from off the land, saith the Lord.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zephaniah 1:2

I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. I will utterly consume - from a root [ cuwp (H5486)] to sweep away or scrape off utterly.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:2

I will utterly consume, Heb. Gathering up I will gather up, or take up, intimating particularly the manner how all should be consumed, i.e. swept away as a prey to the Babylonians. From off the land of Judah, the two tribes. Saith the Lord: this is added to confirm and assure the truth hereof.

Trapp's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:2

Zephaniah 1:2 I will utterly consume all [things] from off the land, saith the LORD.Ver. 2. I will utterly consume all things from off the land] Exordium plane tragicum. A tragic beginning of a terrible sermon. Hard knots must have hard wedges; hard hearts, heavy menaces; yea, handfulls of hell fire must be cast into the faces of such, that they may awake out of the snare of the devil, by whom they are held captive at his pleasure, 2 Timothy 2:26. It is in the Hebrew, gathering I will gather all things, &c. q. d. g. I will pack up, I will take mine own, and be gone. Converram et convasabo omnia, I will sweep away all by the besom of my wrath, and leave a clean hand behind me, for the sins of those that dwell therein. The doubling of this denunciation, colligendo colligam, importeth the certainty, verity, and vehemence thereof. Saith the Lord] Dictum Iehovae. You may believe it, therefore; for every word of his is sure, and cannot be broken, John 10:35, may not be slighted or shifted off, Hebrews 12:25.

Ellicott's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:2

(1-6) Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem is impending on account of a religious apostacy of manifold forms and degrees. The wide range of this judgment.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:2

Verse 2. I will utterly consume all things] All being now ripe for destruction, I will shortly bring a universal scourge upon the land. He speaks particularly of the idolaters.

Cambridge Bible on Zephaniah 1:2

Ch. Zephaniah 1:2-7. The Universal Judgment of the Day of the Lord 2. from off the land] from off the face of the ground, i.e. the earth, cf. Zephaniah 1:3. The judgment is indiscriminate, all that lives shall be swept away. Though it is men against whom God’s anger burns, the anger once kindled devours round about and consumes all created things. The sphere of man’s life, the realm of his rule (Psalms 8:6-8), is involved with himself in a common destruction.

Barnes' Notes on Zephaniah 1:2

I will utterly consume all things - Better “all.” The word is not limited to “things” “animate” or “inanimate” or “men;” it is used severally of each, according to the context; here, without

Whedon's Commentary on Zephaniah 1:2

THE DAY OF JEHOVAH A DAY OF TERROR — ONLY ONE WAY OF ESCAPE, Zephaniah 1:2 to Zephaniah 2:3.The prophecy of Zephaniah opens with the announcement of a world judgment (Zephaniah 1:2-3); the heaviest

Sermons on Zephaniah 1:2

SermonDescription
Shane Idleman The Road to Revival (pt.1) by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman emphasizes the critical role of the messenger in the journey towards revival, drawing insights from the prophet Zephaniah. He highlights the importance of conviction
Roy Hession (Rebuilding the House of the Lord) 1. Revival Regeneration by Roy Hession In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of brokenness and humility before God. He explains that God's contest with us is not primarily about sin, but about our refus
Sir Robert Anderson The Prophetic Year by Sir Robert Anderson Sir Robert Anderson delves into the intricate details of the prophetic era in the Bible, exploring the significance of 'weeks' in Jewish culture and the measurement of time in rela
Art Katz Some Comments on Netanyahu’s Election in Israel: A Prelude to Coming Disaster? by Art Katz Art Katz discusses the implications of Benjamin Netanyahu's election in Israel, suggesting that it may not lead to any significant change in the nation's dire circumstances. He arg
A.W. Tozer The Dove of Noah's Ark by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher uses vivid imagery to describe the world as God saw and judged it. He compares it to a dark and desolate place, satisfied with its own corruption and e
Rolfe Barnard The God of the Bible Kills People by Rolfe Barnard In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of a young girl who approached him and expressed her desire for her father to get saved. The preacher emphasizes the impor
Erlo Stegen Lot - a Man Who Began Well but Ended Badly! by Erlo Stegen In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Lot, Abraham's nephew, as described in Genesis 13, 18, and 19. The sermon begins with Abram's hospitality towards three men who
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