Zephaniah 2:14

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And flocks {H5739} shall lie down {H7257} in the midst {H8432} of her, all the beasts {H2416} of the nations {H1471}: both the cormorant {H6893} and the bittern {H7090} shall lodge {H3885} in the upper lintels {H3730} of it; their voice {H6963} shall sing {H7891} in the windows {H2474}; desolation {H2721} shall be in the thresholds {H5592}: for he shall uncover {H6168} the cedar work {H731}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Herds will lie down in it, and all kinds of wild animals too - jackdaws and owls will roost on her columns, voices screeching in the windows, desolation on the doorsteps, for its cedarwork is stripped bare.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zephaniah 2:14 vividly portrays the utter desolation awaiting Nineveh, the once-mighty capital of the Assyrian Empire. Instead of human inhabitants, the city will become a desolate ruin, a habitat for wild animals and birds of prey, their eerie calls replacing the sounds of human activity. The verse emphasizes the complete stripping away of Nineveh's former glory, with even its valuable cedar structures exposed to decay, serving as a stark testament to divine judgment and the impermanence of earthly power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zephaniah 2:14 is the culmination of a specific oracle of judgment against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, found in [Zephaniah 2:13-15](/zephaniah/2-13-15 "Zephaniah's Prophecy Against Nineveh"). This passage is part of a larger section (Zephaniah 2:4-15) detailing God's impending judgment on various surrounding nations—Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush (Ethiopia), and finally, Assyria. The description of Nineveh's ruin is particularly graphic and extensive, highlighting its significance as a major oppressive power. The preceding verse, [Zephaniah 2:13](/zephaniah/2-13 "Zephaniah 2:13 - God's Hand Against Nineveh"), explicitly states God's intention to "stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness." Verse 14 then elaborates on the precise nature of this desolation, contrasting Nineveh's former grandeur as a "rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly" ([Zephaniah 2:15](/zephaniah/2-15 "Zephaniah 2:15 - Nineveh's Pride and Fall")) with its future state as a haunt for wild beasts, underscoring the completeness of its downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Zephaniah was delivered during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (640-609 BC), a period marked by significant geopolitical shifts. The Assyrian Empire, which had long dominated the ancient Near East and even held Judah in vassalage, was in rapid decline. Nineveh, renowned for its formidable defenses and immense wealth, had been the epicenter of Assyrian power and cruelty. Its fall in 612 BC to a coalition of Babylonians and Medes was a monumental event, confirming the prophetic words of Zephaniah, Nahum, and Isaiah. Culturally, the transformation of a once-great city into a desolate ruin inhabited by wild animals was a common biblical motif signifying utter destruction and divine abandonment. The presence of specific birds like the cormorant and bittern, often associated with marshy, desolate, or ruined places, would have immediately conveyed the extent of the ruin to Zephaniah's audience. The "cedar work" mentioned refers to the luxurious and durable timber used in royal palaces and temples, symbolizing the stripping away of all wealth, beauty, and status.
* **Key Themes:** Zephaniah 2:14 contributes powerfully to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment** against pride, idolatry, and oppression. Nineveh's destruction serves as a stark example that no nation, however mighty or secure, is beyond God's reach or accountability. This judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to the city's wickedness, as seen in the book of [Jonah](/jonah "The Book of Jonah") and [Nahum](/nahum "The Book of Nahum"). Another key theme is **Complete Desolation and Reversal of Fortune**. The imagery of wild animals inhabiting former palaces underscores the theme of utter and irreversible ruin, where human civilization is entirely eradicated, replaced by the wild. This dramatic reversal highlights the **Transience of Earthly Power and Achievements**, reminding humanity that all human constructs and might are ultimately ephemeral when confronted with God's sovereign will. Finally, the passage affirms **God's Sovereignty** over all nations and history, demonstrating His absolute control over the rise and fall of empires and His unwavering commitment to executing justice according to His word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **nations (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** (H1471) This word, often translated as "Gentile" or "heathen," refers to foreign nations. In this context, it takes on a figurative sense, referring to a "troop of animals." The use of "nations" here for animals emphasizes the complete reversal of Nineveh's status: instead of being a center of human nations, it becomes a gathering place for the "nations" of wild beasts, signifying a total dehumanization and abandonment.
* **lie down (Hebrew, _râbats'_):** (H7257) This primitive root means "to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed." It vividly depicts the animals making themselves at home in the ruins, not merely passing through but settling permanently. This implies a complete and undisturbed occupation, a stark contrast to the bustling human activity that once characterized Nineveh.
* **desolation (Hebrew, _chôreb'_):** (H2721) This term signifies "drought or desolation," implying a state of utter waste, dryness, and ruin. Its placement at the "thresholds" emphasizes that the very entryways, once symbols of welcome or defense, are now empty, neglected, and devoid of life, marking the pervasive nature of the destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations":** This opening clause immediately sets the scene of profound desolation. "Flocks" (H5739, _ʻêder_) here refers to herds of wild animals, not domesticated ones. The phrase "beasts of the nations" (H2416, _chay_ H1471, _gôwy_) further emphasizes that a variety of wild creatures, typically found in wildernesses, will inhabit the very heart of what was once a great city. This signifies the complete cessation of human life and activity, replaced by the undisturbed presence of the wild.
* **"both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it":** The imagery intensifies with the mention of specific birds. The "cormorant" (H6893, _qâʼath_) and "bittern" (H7090, _qippôwd_) are birds commonly associated with desolate, marshy, or ruined places in biblical literature. Their "lodging" (H3885, _lûwn_) in the "upper lintels" (H3730, _kaphtôr_)—the structural beams or capitals of buildings—paints a picture of buildings standing as empty shells, serving as nests for these creatures of the wild, rather than homes for humans.
* **"their voice shall sing in the windows":** This poignant detail replaces the sounds of human life—conversation, commerce, celebration—with the eerie, mournful, or guttural calls of wild birds. The "singing" (H7891, _shîyr_ H6963, _qôwl_) here is not melodious but rather the unsettling cries of creatures in a desolate place, emanating from the "windows" (H2474, _challôwn_) that once looked out upon a vibrant city.
* **"desolation [shall be] in the thresholds":** This clause reinforces the pervasive nature of the ruin. The "thresholds" (H5592, _çaph_) are the very entry points to homes and public buildings, symbolizing access and activity. The presence of "desolation" (H2721, _chôreb_) at these points means that no one enters or exits; the city is completely abandoned and neglected, with ruin extending to its very foundations.
* **"for he shall uncover the cedar work":** The final phrase highlights the extent of the destruction and humiliation. "Cedar work" (H731, _ʼarzâh_) refers to the valuable, durable cedar wood used in the construction of luxurious palaces and temples, a symbol of wealth, power, and permanence. For "he" (God, implicitly) to "uncover" (H6168, _ʻârâh_) this work means it will be stripped bare, exposed to the elements, or left to decay, symbolizing the complete stripping away of Nineveh's glory, its reduction to rubble, and the public display of its ruin.

#### Literary Devices
Zephaniah 2:14 employs powerful **Imagery** to convey the extent of Nineveh's desolation. The vivid descriptions of wild animals occupying former human spaces, birds nesting in architectural elements, and the exposure of valuable "cedar work" create a stark and memorable picture of ruin. **Contrast** is central to the verse, juxtaposing Nineveh's past grandeur and bustling life with its prophesied future as a desolate wilderness. The phrase "their voice shall sing in the windows" uses a form of **Ironic Personification** or **Juxtaposition**, as the "singing" is not joyful but the mournful, unsettling cries of wild birds, replacing human sounds and emphasizing the city's abandonment. The entire scene functions as **Symbolism**, where the presence of wild beasts and birds of prey in a once-thriving metropolis symbolizes the complete reversal of fortune, divine judgment, and the ultimate triumph of God's will over human pride and power. The "uncovering of the cedar work" further symbolizes the stripping away of all status, wealth, and beauty, leaving only raw, exposed ruin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zephaniah 2:14 stands as a profound theological statement on God's sovereign control over the nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. It demonstrates that no empire, however formidable or self-assured, is beyond the reach of divine judgment. The complete desolation of Nineveh, a city synonymous with oppression and idolatry, serves as a powerful testament to God's righteousness and His ability to humble the proud. This prophecy underscores the transient nature of all human power and glory, reminding us that true security and lasting peace are found not in earthly might or material possessions, but in alignment with God's eternal purposes. It reinforces the biblical truth that God is the ultimate arbiter of history, orchestrating the rise and fall of kingdoms to fulfill His divine plan and establish His righteous rule.

* [Isaiah 13:21-22](/isaiah/13-21-22 "Prophecy of Babylon's Desolation")
* [Jeremiah 50:39](/jeremiah/50-39 "Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Babylon")
* [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation's Vision of Fallen Babylon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zephaniah 2:14 offers a sobering yet vital message for all generations. It challenges our tendency to place ultimate trust in worldly power, wealth, or human achievements. The vivid imagery of Nineveh's ruin serves as a potent reminder that all earthly kingdoms and accomplishments are impermanent, subject to the sovereign hand of God. For us today, this verse calls for humility, urging us to recognize that true security and lasting significance are found only in God. It prompts us to examine where our allegiances lie: are we building our lives on the shifting sands of human ambition, or on the unshakeable foundation of God's eternal truth? Furthermore, it underscores God's unwavering justice, providing both a warning against pride and oppression, and a comfort that He will ultimately set all wrongs right. We are called to live righteously, to seek justice, and to extend mercy, knowing that God sees and judges all things.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be placing too much trust in temporary earthly structures or achievements, rather than in God?**
* **How does the complete desolation of Nineveh challenge my understanding of power, security, and permanence?**
* **What specific actions can I take to align my life more fully with God's justice and righteousness, rather than worldly values?**

### FAQ
**Why is Nineveh singled out for such a vivid and severe prophecy of desolation?**

Answer: Nineveh was singled out because it was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, the dominant and notoriously cruel superpower of Zephaniah's time. Assyria had a long history of oppressing and terrorizing nations, including Judah. Their military might, idolatry, and particularly their brutal treatment of conquered peoples, as described in historical records and implied in prophetic books like [Nahum](/nahum "The Book of Nahum"), made them a prime target for God's righteous judgment. This prophecy serves as a powerful demonstration that God holds even the mightiest and most wicked empires accountable for their actions, fulfilling His promise to bring justice upon those who defy Him and oppress His people.

**What do the specific birds mentioned, the cormorant and the bittern, symbolize in this context?**

Answer: The cormorant (Hebrew: *qa'ath*) and the bittern (Hebrew: *qippod*) are birds typically associated with desolate, marshy, or ruined places. In biblical literature, their presence in a formerly populated area is a common symbol of utter abandonment, decay, and the complete cessation of human life. They represent the wild reclaiming what was once civilized, signifying that the city has become so utterly ruined and uninhabited that it is fit only for creatures of the wilderness and desolation. This imagery powerfully conveys the extent of Nineveh's downfall, transforming it from a bustling metropolis into an eerie, uninhabitable wasteland.

**How does this prophecy of judgment relate to God's character?**

Answer: While seemingly harsh, the judgment on Nineveh in [Zephaniah 2:14](/zephaniah/2-14 "Zephaniah 2:14 - Nineveh's Utter Desolation") is a profound revelation of God's character, particularly His **justice** and **sovereignty**. It demonstrates that God is not indifferent to human wickedness, pride, and oppression. His justice demands that sin be punished, and His righteousness ensures that no one, no matter how powerful, escapes accountability. Furthermore, it highlights His **sovereignty** over all nations and history. The fall of Nineveh, a seemingly impregnable city, proves that God is the ultimate ruler, orchestrating the rise and fall of empires according to His divine will. This judgment, therefore, underscores God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to upholding moral order in the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Zephaniah 2:14 directly prophesies the judgment upon Nineveh, its deeper theological currents find profound fulfillment in Christ. The desolation of Nineveh, a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God, foreshadows the ultimate judgment that falls upon all sin. However, in Christ, this judgment is uniquely borne. He became the "desolation" for us, taking upon Himself the full wrath of God against sin, so that those who believe might find life and not face eternal ruin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The "uncovering of the cedar work" in Nineveh, symbolizing the stripping away of earthly glory, points to Christ's own stripping away of all earthly status and comfort in His incarnation and crucifixion, ultimately revealing the glory of God through His humble sacrifice ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")).

Moreover, the prophecy of a city being reclaimed by wild beasts speaks to the spiritual wilderness of humanity apart from God. In Christ, the true "King of kings and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings")), the ultimate restoration of creation is inaugurated. He does not bring desolation but life, transforming spiritual deserts into flourishing gardens ([Isaiah 35:1-2](/isaiah/35-1-2 "Isaiah 35:1-2 - The Desert Blooms")). The judgment on Nineveh, therefore, serves as a powerful backdrop against which the infinitely greater and redemptive work of Christ shines, offering not just the end of a wicked empire but the beginning of an eternal kingdom where God's people dwell securely under His righteous reign ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 13:19

¶ And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.

Isaiah 13:22

And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in [their] pleasant palaces: and her time [is] near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

Amos 9:1

¶ I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

Isaiah 34:11

But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.

Isaiah 34:17

And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.

Jeremiah 22:14

That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and [it is] cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

Revelation 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.