Zephaniah 3:6
New International Version
“I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste; they are deserted and empty.

New Living Translation
“I have wiped out many nations, devastating their fortress walls and towers. Their streets are now deserted; their cities lie in silent ruin. There are no survivors— none at all.

English Standard Version
“I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.

Berean Standard Bible
“I have cut off the nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have made their streets deserted with no one to pass through. Their cities are laid waste, with no man, no inhabitant.

King James Bible
I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

New King James Version
“I have cut off nations, Their fortresses are devastated; I have made their streets desolate, With none passing by. Their cities are destroyed; There is no one, no inhabitant.

New American Standard Bible
“I have eliminated nations; Their corner towers are deserted. I have laid waste their streets, With no one passing by; Their cities have been laid waste, Without a person, without an inhabitant.

NASB 1995
“I have cut off nations; Their corner towers are in ruins. I have made their streets desolate, With no one passing by; Their cities are laid waste, Without a man, without an inhabitant.

NASB 1977
“I have cut off nations; Their corner towers are in ruins. I have made their streets desolate, With no one passing by; Their cities are laid waste, Without a man, without an inhabitant.

Legacy Standard Bible
“I have cut off nations; Their corner towers are desolate. I have made their streets a waste, With no one passing by; Their cities are laid waste, Without a man, without an inhabitant.

Amplified Bible
“I [the LORD] have cut off and destroyed nations [as a warning to Judah]; Their corner towers (battlements) are in ruins. I have made their streets desolate So that no one passes by; Their cities are destroyed So that there is no man, there is no inhabitant.

Christian Standard Bible
I have cut off nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have laid waste their streets, with no one to pass through. Their cities lie devastated, without a person, without an inhabitant.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have cut off nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have laid waste their streets, with no one to pass through. Their cities lie devastated, without a person, without an inhabitant.

American Standard Version
I have cut off nations; their battlements are desolate; I have made their streets waste, so that none passeth by; their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD wiped out nations and left fortresses crumbling in the dirt. Their streets and towns were reduced to ruins and emptied of people.

English Revised Version
I have cut off nations, their battlements are desolate; I have made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"I will cut off the nations. Their towers will be destroyed. I will demolish their streets. No one will walk through them. Their cities will be completely destroyed. Not a single person will be left. No one will be living there.

Good News Translation
The LORD says, "I have wiped out whole nations; I have destroyed their cities and left their walls and towers in ruins. The cities are deserted; the streets are empty--no one is left.

International Standard Version
"I have destroyed nations— their fortifications are deserted. I have turned their main thoroughfares into wastelands where no one will travel. Their cities are desolate; as a result, not one man remains— no, not even a single resident.

Majority Standard Bible
“I have cut off the nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have made their streets deserted with no one to pass through. Their cities are laid waste, with no man, no inhabitant.

NET Bible
"I destroyed nations; their walled cities are in ruins. I turned their streets into ruins; no one passes through them. Their cities are desolate; no one lives there.

New Heart English Bible
I have cut off nations. Their battlements are desolate. I have made their streets waste, so that no one passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.

Webster's Bible Translation
I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is no inhabitant.

World English Bible
I have cut off nations. Their battlements are desolate. I have made their streets waste, so that no one passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“I have cut off nations, "" Desolated have been their chief ones, "" I have laid waste their out-places without any passing by, "" Destroyed have been their cities, "" Without man, without inhabitant.

Young's Literal Translation
I have cut off nations, Desolated have been their chief ones, I have laid waste their out-places without any passing by, Destroyed have been their cities, Without man, without inhabitant.

Smith's Literal Translation
I cut off the nations: their pinnacles were desolate: I laid waste their streets from none passing by; their cities were destroyed from not a man, from not an inhabitant.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have destroyed the nations, and their towers are beaten down: I have made their ways desert, so that there is none that passeth by: their cities are desolate, there is not a man remaining, nor any inhabitant.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have dispersed the nations, and their towers have been torn down. I have made their ways deserts, until there were none who passed through. Their cities have become desolate, with no man remaining, nor any inhabitant.

New American Bible
I have cut down nations, their battlements are laid waste; I have made their streets deserted, with no one passing through; Their cities are devastated, with no one dwelling in them.

New Revised Standard Version
I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without people, without inhabitants.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have destroyed the nations and removed the misery; I have made their streets waste, so that no one walks in them; their cities are desolate, without a man and without the inhabitants.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have destroyed the nations and misery was brought forth; I wasted their streets from lack of any passing through their desolate cities, from lack of a man and from lack of an inhabitant
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I have cut off nations, Their corners are desolate; I have made their streets waste, So that none passeth by; Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, So that there is no inhabitant.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I have brought down the proud with destruction; their corners are destroyed: I will make their ways completely waste, so that none shall go through: their cities are come to an end, by reason of no man living or dwelling in them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Jerusalem
5The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame. 6“I have cut off the nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have made their streets deserted with no one to pass through. Their cities are laid waste, with no man, no inhabitant. 7I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me and accept correction.’ Then her dwelling place would not be cut off despite all for which I punished her. But they rose early to corrupt all their deeds.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 25:9-11
behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. / And this whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years.

Isaiah 37:26-27
Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it; in days of old I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should crush fortified cities into piles of rubble. / Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.

Amos 3:6
If a ram’s horn sounds in a city, do the people not tremble? If calamity comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?

Nahum 3:7
Then all who see you will recoil from you and say, ‘Nineveh is devastated; who will grieve for her?’ Where can I find comforters for you?”

Jeremiah 50:23
How the hammer of the whole earth lies broken and shattered! What a horror Babylon has become among the nations!

Ezekiel 26:19-21
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘When I make you a desolate city like other deserted cities, and when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you, / then I will bring you down with those who descend to the Pit, to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the earth below like the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or set in splendor in the land of the living. / I will make you an object of horror, and you will be no more. You will be sought, but will never be found,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Isaiah 14:17
who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?”

Lamentations 2:15
All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?”

Micah 5:11-14
I will remove the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds. / I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers. / I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. ...

Isaiah 24:1-3
Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth and leaves it in ruins. He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants— / people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor. / The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word.

Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ...

Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...

Revelation 18:21-24
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again. / And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again. / The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.” ...

Matthew 23:37-39
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. / For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Luke 13:34-35
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”


Treasury of Scripture

I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passes by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

cut.

Isaiah 10:1-34
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; …

Isaiah 15:1-16:14
The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; …

Isaiah 19:1-25
The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it…

towers.

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Battlements Broken Cities Corner Corners Cut Demolished Desolate Desolated Destroyed Destruction Goes Inhabitant Laid Nations Overtaken Passes Passeth Passing Ruins Streets Strongholds Towers Towns Walks Waste
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Battlements Broken Cities Corner Corners Cut Demolished Desolate Desolated Destroyed Destruction Goes Inhabitant Laid Nations Overtaken Passes Passeth Passing Ruins Streets Strongholds Towers Towns Walks Waste
Zephaniah 3
1. A sharp reproof of Jerusalem for various sins.
8. An exhortation to wait for the restoration of Israel,
14. and to rejoice for their salvation by God.














I have cut off nations
This phrase speaks to the sovereignty and power of God over the nations. The Hebrew root for "cut off" is "karath," which often implies a decisive and complete action. Historically, this reflects God's judgment upon nations that have turned away from His commandments. The cutting off of nations serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. It also underscores the theme of divine justice that runs throughout the prophetic books, where God holds nations accountable for their actions.

their corner towers are destroyed
The "corner towers" were significant structures in ancient cities, often representing strength and defense. The Hebrew word for "corner" is "pinnah," which can also mean a chief or leader, suggesting that what is being destroyed is not just physical structures but also the leadership and pride of these nations. The destruction of these towers symbolizes the dismantling of human pride and self-reliance, emphasizing that no earthly power can stand against the will of God.

I have laid waste their streets
The imagery of laying waste to streets conveys a scene of desolation and abandonment. Streets in ancient cities were places of commerce, community, and daily life. The Hebrew word "shamem" for "laid waste" suggests a state of utter ruin and desolation. This serves as a metaphor for the spiritual desolation that occurs when a society turns away from God. It is a call to repentance, urging people to return to the paths of righteousness.

with no one to pass through
This phrase highlights the complete desolation and emptiness that results from divine judgment. The absence of people "to pass through" signifies the totality of the destruction. In a spiritual sense, it reflects the isolation and separation from God that sin brings. It serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God's ways, emphasizing the need for a return to faithfulness and obedience.

their cities are laid waste
The repetition of the theme of desolation underscores the seriousness of God's judgment. The Hebrew word for "cities" is "ir," which were centers of power and culture. The laying waste of cities symbolizes the collapse of societal structures that have become corrupt and opposed to God's will. It is a reminder that human achievements and institutions are temporary and can be brought to nothing if they are not aligned with God's purposes.

with no one left—no inhabitant
The finality of this phrase emphasizes the totality of the judgment. The absence of any "inhabitant" signifies complete destruction and serves as a stark warning of the consequences of persistent sin. It is a call to self-examination and repentance, urging individuals and nations to seek God's mercy and align themselves with His will. This phrase also offers a glimmer of hope, as the emptiness can be seen as a blank slate for renewal and restoration for those who turn back to God.

Verses 6-8. - § 7. Obdurate and blinded as nations are, these extreme measures are the only way left to secure salvation for Israel and the whole world. Verse 6. - God speaks, showing why he has sent these judgments. I have cut off the nations. The reference is to facts well known to the hearers (though not specified here); such as the rain of Pentapolis, the destruction of the Canaanites, the defeat of the Chaldeans in Hezekiah's time, the conquest of cities and countries by the Assyrians, and the devastation of Israel itself. Their towers are desolate. Their towers (see note on Zephaniah 1:16), in which they trusted for defence, are overthrown and lie in ruins. Others translate, "street corners," where people most do congregate. Streets; perhaps, roads; signifying the open country. So Keil. None inhabitant (comp. Jeremiah 4:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“I have cut off
הִכְרַ֣תִּי (hiḵ·rat·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

the nations;
גוֹיִ֗ם (ḡō·w·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

their corner towers
פִּנּוֹתָ֔ם (pin·nō·w·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6438: An angle, a pinnacle, a chieftain

are destroyed.
נָשַׁ֙מּוּ֙ (nā·šam·mū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8074: To stun, devastate, stupefy

I have made
הֶחֱרַ֥בְתִּי (he·ḥĕ·raḇ·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2717: To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill

their streets {deserted}
חֽוּצוֹתָ֖ם (ḥū·ṣō·w·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2351: Separate by a, wall, outside, outdoors

with no one
מִבְּלִ֣י (mib·bə·lî)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as

to pass through.
עוֹבֵ֑ר (‘ō·w·ḇêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

Their cities
עָרֵיהֶ֛ם (‘ā·rê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

are laid waste,
נִצְדּ֧וּ (niṣ·dū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6658: To chase, to desolate

with no
מִבְּלִי־ (mib·bə·lî-)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as

man,
אִ֖ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

no
מֵאֵ֥ין (mê·’ên)
Preposition-m | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

inhabitant.
יוֹשֵֽׁב׃ (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry


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OT Prophets: Zephaniah 3:6 I have cut off nations (Zeph. Zep Zp)
Zephaniah 3:5
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