Zephaniah 1:14

¶ The great day of the LORD [is] near, [it is] near, and hasteth greatly, [even] the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

The great {H1419} day {H3117} of the LORD {H3068} is near {H7138}, it is near {H7138}, and hasteth {H4118} greatly {H3966}, even the voice {H6963} of the day {H3117} of the LORD {H3068}: the mighty man {H1368} shall cry {H6873} there bitterly {H4751}.

The great Day of ADONAI is near, near and coming very quickly; Hear the sound of the Day of ADONAI! When it's here, even a warrior will cry bitterly.

The great Day of the LORD is near— near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.

The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of Jehovah; the mighty man crieth there bitterly.

Zephaniah 1:14 delivers a stark and urgent warning about the impending "Day of the LORD," a central theme throughout the prophetic books. This verse emphasizes the swiftness and severity of divine judgment, painting a picture of universal distress where even the most powerful will be helpless.

Context

The prophet Zephaniah ministered during the reign of King Josiah in Judah, likely before his comprehensive religious reforms (circa 640-609 BC). Despite Josiah's efforts, the nation was deeply steeped in idolatry, injustice, and spiritual apathy, inheriting the sins of previous kings like Manasseh. Zephaniah's message served as a final, desperate call for repentance before the inevitable Babylonian invasion and exile, which would serve as God's instrument of judgment. The "Day of the LORD" here refers to a specific historical event for Judah, but it also points to a broader eschatological truth about God's ultimate justice for all humanity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Imminent Judgment: The powerful repetition of "near, it is near, and hasteth greatly" underscores the extreme urgency and inevitability of the coming judgment. There is no time for delay or complacency in the face of divine wrath.
  • The Day of the LORD: This phrase (Hebrew: Yom Yahweh) is a recurring motif in the Old Testament, signifying a time when God intervenes decisively in human history to execute judgment on His enemies and bring salvation to His people. In Zephaniah, it is overwhelmingly a day of wrath and destruction for the wicked, a time when divine indignation is poured out.
  • Universal Distress: The phrase "the mighty man shall cry there bitterly" highlights that no one, regardless of their strength, status, or presumed invincibility (like warriors or powerful leaders), will escape the consequences of this judgment. Their usual sources of confidence will utterly fail them, leading to profound sorrow.
  • Divine Voice: "the voice of the day of the LORD" suggests a terrifying, authoritative sound accompanying this judgment, perhaps the sound of war, destruction, or God's direct pronouncement of doom.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mighty man" (gibbor) typically denotes a strong, powerful, or valiant warrior. Its inclusion here is significant, emphasizing that even those considered formidable in human terms will be utterly helpless and filled with bitter lamentation on this day. The intensity of "hasteth greatly" (Hebrew: maher me'od) reinforces the rapid approach and unstoppable nature of the judgment, leaving no room for escape or mitigation.

Related Scriptures

The concept of the Day of the LORD is prominent in many prophetic books, often described with similar urgency and imagery of darkness and destruction (e.g., Amos 5:18-20; Isaiah 13:6-9). This particular verse, with its emphasis on bitter crying, echoes the lamentation described in passages like Jeremiah 4:8 as a response to impending doom. The New Testament also speaks of a future day of judgment, reminding believers to be prepared for the coming Day of the Lord.

Practical Application

Zephaniah 1:14 serves as a timeless reminder of God's holiness and justice. It urges us to take sin seriously and to not presume upon God's patience. For those who refuse to repent, a day of reckoning will surely come, a day when human strength and worldly security will prove utterly futile. Conversely, for believers, this verse underscores the importance of living in light of God's ultimate authority and seeking refuge in Him. It calls for spiritual vigilance and a readiness to meet the Lord, whether through personal mortality or His return, highlighting the importance of watchfulness and faithful living.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Malachi 4:5

    Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

  • Ezekiel 30:3

    For the day [is] near, even the day of the LORD [is] near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.

  • Zephaniah 1:7

    ¶ Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD [is] at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

  • Joel 2:11

    And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

  • Ezekiel 7:12

    The time is come, the day draweth near: let not the buyer rejoice, nor the seller mourn: for wrath [is] upon all the multitude thereof.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16

    For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

  • Isaiah 15:4

    And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard [even] unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.

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