Zephaniah 1:10

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, [that there shall be] the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

And it shall come to pass in that day {H3117}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that there shall be the noise {H6963} of a cry {H6818} from the fish {H1709} gate {H8179}, and an howling {H3215} from the second {H4932}, and a great {H1419} crashing {H7667} from the hills {H1389}.

Also on that day," says ADONAI, "a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate, wailing from the city's Second Quarter and a loud crash from the hills.

On that day,โ€ declares the LORD, โ€œa cry will go up from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second District, and a loud crashing from the hills.

And in that day, saith Jehovah, there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and a wailing from the second quarter, and a great crashing from the hills.

Commentary

Zephaniah 1:10 vividly describes the impending judgment and destruction upon Jerusalem, portraying a scene of widespread panic and devastation. This verse is part of Zephaniah's strong prophetic warning to Judah, highlighting the severe consequences of their unfaithfulness to the Lord.

Context

The prophet Zephaniah delivered his message during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC), a period when Judah was attempting religious reforms but still grappling with deep-seated idolatry and social injustice. Zephaniah's primary theme is the swift and comprehensive "Day of the Lord," a time of divine wrath and judgment not only for Judah but also for surrounding nations. This particular verse focuses on the immediate impact within Jerusalem itself, detailing specific locations that would experience the terror.

Key Themes

  • Impending Judgment and Destruction: The verse uses powerful auditory imagery โ€“ "noise of a cry," "howling," and "great crashing" โ€“ to convey the overwhelming nature of the coming disaster. It speaks to the utter chaos and terror that will grip the city.
  • Geographical Specificity: The mention of the "fish gate" and "the second" (likely the Second Quarter or Mishneh district) indicates that the judgment will affect all parts of Jerusalem, from its vulnerable entry points to its populated inner areas. The "hills" suggest the approach of destruction from outside or the collapse of structures within the city. This specificity underscores the inevitability and pervasiveness of the judgment.
  • Divine Sovereignty: The phrase "saith the LORD" powerfully reiterates that these events are not random occurrences but are divinely ordained judgments, underscoring God's control and authority over human history and consequences of sin. This judgment is a direct response to Judah's idolatry and spiritual apostasy.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "cry" is qol (ืงื•ึนืœ), which can mean voice, sound, or noise, emphasizing the audible alarm and distress.
  • "Howling" comes from yelalah (ื™ึฐืœึธืœึธื”), a strong term for lamentation, wailing, or deep sorrow, indicating profound grief and despair.
  • "Crashing" is from shever gadol (ืฉึถืื‘ึถืจ ื’ึธึผื“ื•ึนืœ), literally "great breaking" or "shattering," suggesting widespread ruin and collapse, perhaps from military assault or natural disaster.

Related Scriptures

The concept of "that day" as a time of judgment is a recurring theme in prophetic literature. For instance, Joel 2:1 also speaks of the Day of the Lord as a day of darkness and gloom. The specific gates and districts of Jerusalem mentioned here can be cross-referenced with passages like Nehemiah 3:3, which details the rebuilding of the Fish Gate. The vivid imagery of cries and destruction echoes the lamentations found in the book of Jeremiah, particularly concerning the fall of Jerusalem.

Practical Application

Zephaniah 1:10 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God. It highlights God's justice and His commitment to hold His people accountable. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of:

  • Heeding God's Warnings: Just as God warned Judah, His Word continues to call people to repentance and obedience. Ignoring divine warnings carries severe consequences.
  • Living in Righteousness: The judgment on Judah was a direct result of their idolatry and moral decay. This calls us to examine our own lives for any areas of compromise or unfaithfulness.
  • Understanding God's Nature: While God is merciful and gracious, He is also just and righteous. This verse reveals the serious aspect of His character, which demands reverence and obedience.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 33:14

    Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

  • Amos 8:3

    And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: [there shall be] many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast [them] forth with silence.

  • 2 Kings 22:14

    So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

  • Nehemiah 3:3

    But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who [also] laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

  • Jeremiah 4:19

    ยถ My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

  • Jeremiah 4:21

    How long shall I see the standard, [and] hear the sound of the trumpet?

  • Jeremiah 4:31

    For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, [and] the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, [that] bewaileth herself, [that] spreadeth her hands, [saying], Woe [is] me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.
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