Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The land by the sea will become pastures having wells for shepherds and pens for flocks. New Living Translation The Philistine coast will become a wilderness pasture, a place of shepherd camps and enclosures for sheep and goats. English Standard Version And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures, with meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks. Berean Standard Bible So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. King James Bible And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. New King James Version The seacoast shall be pastures, With shelters for shepherds and folds for flocks. New American Standard Bible So the seacoast will become grazing places, With pastures for shepherds and folds for flocks. NASB 1995 So the seacoast will be pastures, With caves for shepherds and folds for flocks. NASB 1977 So the seacoast will be pastures, With caves for shepherds and folds for flocks. Legacy Standard Bible So the seacoast will be pastures, With caves for shepherds and folds for flocks. Amplified Bible So the [depopulated] seacoast shall be pastures, With [deserted] meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks. Christian Standard Bible The seacoast will become pasturelands with caves for shepherds and pens for sheep. Holman Christian Standard Bible The seacoast will become pasturelands with caves for shepherds and folds for sheep. American Standard Version And the sea-coast shall be pastures, with cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks. Contemporary English Version Your seacoast will be changed into pastureland and sheep pens. English Revised Version And the sea coast shall be pastures, with cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks. GOD'S WORD® Translation The seacoast will become pastureland with meadows for shepherds and fenced-off places for sheep. Good News Translation Your land by the sea will become open fields with shepherd's huts and sheep pens. International Standard Version The Philistine coast will become meadows for shepherds and sheep pens. Majority Standard Bible So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. NET Bible The seacoast will be used as pasture lands by the shepherds and as pens for their flocks. New Heart English Bible The sea coast will be pastures, with cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks. Webster's Bible Translation And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. World English Bible The sea coast will be pastures, with cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the seacoast has been habitations, "" Cottages [for] shepherds, and folds [for] a flock. Young's Literal Translation And the sea-coast hath been habitations, Cottages for shepherds, and folds for a flock. Smith's Literal Translation And the region of the sea was a dwelling, and a cutting off of the shepherds and sheepfolds. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the sea coast shall be the resting place of shepherds, and folds for cattle: Catholic Public Domain Version And the coastline of the sea will be a resting place for shepherds and a fence line for cattle. New American Bible You shall become fields for shepherds, and folds for flocks. New Revised Standard Version And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures, meadows for shepherds and folds for flocks. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the seacoast shall become pastures for sheep, and Crete a pasture for flocks of sheep. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the coast of the sea will be pastures, and Crete a place of pasture for folds of sheep OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the sea-coast shall be pastures, Even meadows for shepherds, and folds for flocks. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Crete shall be a pasture of flocks, and a fold of sheep. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Judgment on the Philistines…5Woe to the dwellers of the seacoast, O nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, land of the Philistines: “I will destroy you, and no one will be left.” 6So the seacoast will become a land of pastures, with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep. 7The coast will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah; there they will find pasture. They will lie down in the evening among the houses of Ashkelon, for the LORD their God will attend to them and restore their captives.… Cross References Isaiah 11:14 They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them. Jeremiah 49:28-33 Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’ / Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor,” declares the LORD, “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you. ... Ezekiel 25:4-5 therefore I will indeed give you as a possession to the people of the East. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk. / I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels, and Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ Isaiah 17:2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down with no one to fear. Jeremiah 6:3 Shepherds and their flocks will come against her; they will pitch their tents all around her, each tending his own portion: Isaiah 32:14 For the palace will be forsaken, the busy city abandoned. The hill and the watchtower will become caves forever—the delight of wild donkeys and a pasture for flocks— Ezekiel 34:13-14 I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. / I will feed them in good pasture, and the lofty mountains of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in a good grazing land; they will feed in rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. Jeremiah 50:19 I will return Israel to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. Isaiah 35:7 The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus. Ezekiel 36:35 Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’ Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. John 10:9 I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. Hebrews 4:9-10 There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God. / For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Treasury of Scripture And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. the sea. Zephaniah 2:14,15 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… Isaiah 17:2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Ezekiel 25:5 And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Jump to Previous Caves Coast Dwell Dwellings Flock Flocks Folds Grass-Land Houses Keepers Kerethites Meadows Pastures Pens Places Sea Seacoast Sea-Coast Sheep Shepherds WalledJump to Next Caves Coast Dwell Dwellings Flock Flocks Folds Grass-Land Houses Keepers Kerethites Meadows Pastures Pens Places Sea Seacoast Sea-Coast Sheep Shepherds WalledZephaniah 2 1. An exhortation to repentance.4. The judgment of the Philistines, 8. of Moab and Ammon, 12. of Ethiopia, 13. and of Assyria. So the seacoast will become a land of pastures This phrase refers to the transformation of the Philistine coastal region, which was known for its bustling cities and trade. Historically, the Philistines were a significant adversary of Israel, often engaging in conflicts with them. The prophecy indicates a dramatic change from a populated, fortified area to a rural, pastoral landscape. This transformation symbolizes God's judgment and the desolation that follows divine retribution. The seacoast, once a place of commerce and power, will be reduced to simplicity and humility, reflecting the broader theme of God's sovereignty over nations. with wells for shepherds and folds for sheep Persons / Places / Events 1. SeacoastRefers to the coastal region of the Philistines, which was known for its strategic and economic importance. In this context, it symbolizes a place of judgment and transformation. 2. Land of Pastures Indicates a transformation from a bustling, fortified area to a peaceful, rural setting. This change signifies God's judgment and subsequent restoration. 3. Wells for Shepherds Represents provision and sustenance. Wells were essential for life and prosperity, especially in pastoral settings. 4. Folds for Sheep Symbolizes security and care. Sheepfolds were enclosures that protected sheep from predators, indicating a future of safety and peace. Teaching Points Transformation through JudgmentGod's judgment is not only punitive but also transformative. The seacoast's change into pastures illustrates how God can turn places of sin into areas of peace and provision. God's Provision and Care The imagery of wells and sheepfolds reminds us of God's continuous provision and protection. Just as shepherds care for their sheep, God cares for His people. Security in God's Plan The transformation of the seacoast into a secure place for shepherds and sheep signifies the security found in God's plans. Trusting in His sovereignty brings peace amidst uncertainty. Restoration and Hope Even in judgment, there is hope for restoration. God's ultimate plan is to restore and renew, offering hope to those who turn to Him.Verse 6. - Dwellings and cottages for shepherds; better, pastures with caves for shepherds. In the use of the word keroth, "diggings" ("cottages," Authorized Version) there is probably intended another play on the "Cherethites." Neale, "The road from Gaza to Askalon lay along the sea shore. In the winter months many parts of it are impracticable, owing to the encroachment of the sea. The surf then dashes wildly into the huge caverns worked out of the endless sand hills that line this coast. These caverns were tenanted, when we passed, by goatherds and their flocks. Thither they resort for shelter from the fierce heat of the noontide sun; and here during the night the goats are penned. There are wells and reservoirs in the vicinity which furnish water for the flocks the whole year round, and the brambles and thorn bushes that flourish near the seaside form their pasturage" ('Eight Years in Syria,' 1:40, 41). Septuagint, ἔσται Κρήτη νομὴ ποιμνίων, "Crete shall be a pasture of flocks." Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So the seacoastחֶ֣בֶל (ḥe·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2256: A rope, a measuring line, a district, inheritance, a noose, a company, a throe, ruin will become וְֽהָיְתָ֞ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be [a land of] pastures, נְוֺ֛ת (nə·wōṯ) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5116: Abode of shepherd or flocks, habitation having caves כְּרֹ֥ת (kə·rōṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 3741: A cistern, well filled with shepherds רֹעִ֖ים (rō·‘îm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with and folds וְגִדְר֥וֹת (wə·ḡiḏ·rō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 1448: Enclosure with sheep. צֹֽאן׃ (ṣōn) Noun - common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock Links Zephaniah 2:6 NIVZephaniah 2:6 NLT Zephaniah 2:6 ESV Zephaniah 2:6 NASB Zephaniah 2:6 KJV Zephaniah 2:6 BibleApps.com Zephaniah 2:6 Biblia Paralela Zephaniah 2:6 Chinese Bible Zephaniah 2:6 French Bible Zephaniah 2:6 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Zephaniah 2:6 The sea coast will be pastures (Zeph. 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