And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

ZEPHANIAH 1:10KJV
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Zephaniah 1:10 (KJV)

What does Zephaniah 1:10 mean?

Zephaniah 1:10 describes a future day when loud cries, howling, and the sound of destruction will come from different parts of Jerusalem, signaling disaster and turmoil. The verse uses specific locations—the Fish Gate, the Second (likely a district), and the hills—to show that this trouble will affect the whole city.

In this verse, the prophet Zephaniah is relaying a message from the LORD to the people of Jerusalem, warning them of coming judgment. The mention of the Fish Gate and other areas paints a vivid picture of chaos spreading throughout the city, as people react to sudden disaster. This verse is part of a larger prophecy where Zephaniah warns of a "day of the LORD," a time of reckoning for the people's wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind Zephaniah 1:10

  • "noise" (קוֹל, qôl): This word means "voice," "sound," or "noise." Here, it emphasizes the overwhelming and distressing sounds that will fill the city, making the coming trouble impossible to ignore.
  • "cry" (צְעָקָה, tze‘aqah): This word refers to a loud cry or outcry, often linked to distress or alarm. It highlights the fear and panic that will grip the people.
  • "howling" (יְלָלָה, yelalah): This word means wailing or howling, a sound of deep grief or terror. Its use here shows the emotional intensity of the situation.
  • "crashing" (שֶׁבֶר, shever): This word means breaking or destruction. It points to physical damage and collapse, not just emotional distress.

Why Zephaniah 1:10 matters

  • Zephaniah 1:10 makes clear that the coming judgment will not be hidden or quiet; it will be obvious to everyone in Jerusalem, affecting all parts of the city.
  • The verse uses specific city locations to show that no area or group will be spared, underlining the totality of the warning.
  • Understanding these words and locations helps the reader see the seriousness of the prophecy and the sense of urgency Zephaniah is trying to convey to his audience.

Where else these words appear

“howling” Hebrew H3215 · used in 4 verses

  • Isaiah 15:8 For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.
  • Jeremiah 25:36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture.
  • Zechariah 11:3 There is a voice of the howling of the shepherds; for their glory is spoiled: a voice of the roaring of young lions; for the pride of Jordan is spoiled.

“fish” Hebrew H1709 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
  • Nehemiah 12:39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
  • Ezekiel 38:20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.

“cry” Hebrew H6818 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
  • Exodus 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
  • Job 34:28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

“second” Hebrew H4932 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
  • 1 Samuel 23:17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:24 His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.