Zephaniah 1:13

Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

Therefore their goods {H2428} shall become a booty {H4933}, and their houses {H1004} a desolation {H8077}: they shall also build {H1129} houses {H1004}, but not inhabit {H3427} them; and they shall plant {H5193} vineyards {H3754}, but not drink {H8354} the wine {H3196} thereof.

For this, their wealth will be plundered; and their houses will be destroyed. Yes, they will build houses but not live in them; they will plant vineyards but not drink the wine."

Their wealth will be plundered and their houses laid waste. They will build houses but not inhabit them, and plant vineyards but never drink their wine.

And their wealth shall become a spoil, and their houses a desolation: yea, they shall build houses, but shall not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but shall not drink the wine thereof.

Commentary

Zephaniah 1:13 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against the people of Judah, specifically highlighting the economic and social consequences of their spiritual rebellion. This verse is part of a broader declaration concerning the impending "Day of the Lord," a time of reckoning for widespread idolatry and disobedience.

Context

The prophet Zephaniah ministered during the reign of King Josiah in the late 7th century BC, a period marked by religious syncretism and moral decay in Judah despite Josiah's reforms. Zephaniah's message is primarily one of impending judgment on Judah and Jerusalem for their persistent sins, particularly their worship of pagan deities and their spiritual indifference. The verses leading up to Zephaniah 1:13 describe a comprehensive devastation, targeting not only the idolaters but also those who were complacent or rebellious against the Lord. The prophet warns that God will sweep away everything from the land, culminating in the severe penalties described here. This judgment serves as a warning against the dangers of spiritual apathy and the consequences of turning away from God, a theme echoed in other prophetic books concerning the great Day of the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse clearly states that God's judgment will manifest in the loss of material possessions and the destruction of homes. This is not arbitrary punishment but a direct consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness.
  • Futility of Earthly Labor: The phrase "they shall also build houses, but not inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof" powerfully illustrates the vanity of human effort when it is detached from God's blessing. All their diligent work to accumulate wealth and establish security will come to nothing.
  • Reversal of Blessings: What were once symbols of prosperity and blessing (goods, houses, vineyards) become instruments of suffering and loss. This serves as a reminder that true security and enjoyment come from God's favor, not from material abundance alone.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse underscores the direct link between human rebellion against God and the severe repercussions that follow. It emphasizes that ignoring God's commands leads to a reversal of expected outcomes and a forfeiture of peace.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "booty" (שלל, shalal) refers to spoils taken in war, emphasizing that their possessions will be violently plundered by invading forces. "Desolation" (Χ©ΧžΧžΧ”, shemamah) signifies a state of ruin, emptiness, and waste, painting a vivid picture of abandoned and destroyed homes. These terms convey the thoroughness and severity of the impending judgment.

Cross-References & Echoes

The imagery of building houses and not inhabiting them, or planting vineyards and not enjoying their fruit, is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, serving as a classic curse for disobedience within the covenant. This theme is prominently found in the Mosaic Law, particularly in Deuteronomy 28:30: "Thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein; thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof." Similar warnings appear in other prophetic books, such as Amos 5:11, which speaks of trampling the poor and building houses of hewn stone but not dwelling in them, and Haggai 1:6, which laments, "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough." These parallels reinforce the consistent message of God's justice and the consequences of spiritual negligence.

Practical Application

Zephaniah 1:13 offers a timeless warning against placing ultimate trust in material wealth and security. It reminds us that true prosperity and lasting peace are found in a right relationship with God, not in earthly possessions. For contemporary believers, this verse serves as a powerful call to examine our priorities: are we building our lives on a foundation that can be shaken by external circumstances, or are we seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all other things will be added (Matthew 6:33)? It encourages faithfulness, obedience, and a recognition that all blessings ultimately flow from the Lord.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Amos 5:11

    Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

  • Micah 6:15

    Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.

  • Deuteronomy 28:30

    Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

  • Jeremiah 9:19

    For a voice of wailing is heard out of Zion, How are we spoiled! we are greatly confounded, because we have forsaken the land, because our dwellings have cast [us] out.

  • Jeremiah 15:13

    Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil without price, and [that] for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.

  • Ezekiel 7:21

    And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.

  • Deuteronomy 28:39

    Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress [them], but shalt neither drink [of] the wine, nor gather [the grapes]; for the worms shall eat them.
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