Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

ZEPHANIAH 2:5KJV
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Zephaniah 2:5 (KJV)

What does Zephaniah 2:5 mean?

Zephaniah 2:5 announces judgment against the people living along the seacoast, specifically the Cherethites and the Philistines, declaring that God’s word is set against them and that their land, called Canaan here, will be destroyed so that no one will live there. This verse is a warning of coming devastation for these groups because of their actions.

The prophet Zephaniah is speaking God’s message to nations surrounding Judah, not just to Israel itself. In this verse, he singles out the Cherethites—a group often associated with the Philistines—and the broader Philistine territory along the Mediterranean coast. The verse uses strong language to show that God’s judgment is certain and total, emphasizing that the land will be emptied of its inhabitants.

The Hebrew behind Zephaniah 2:5

  • Woe (הוֹי, hoy): This word is an expression of grief or impending disaster. Its use here signals that what follows is a serious warning, not just a prediction.
  • Cherethites (כְּרֵתִי, kerēthī): This term refers to a specific group among the Philistines, possibly mercenaries or a distinct ethnic group. Mentioning them by name highlights that God’s judgment is personal and targeted.
  • Destroy (אָבַד, ’ābad): The Hebrew word used here carries the sense of complete ruin or wiping out. It underlines the totality of the coming judgment—there will be no survivors or inhabitants left.
  • Inhabitant (יָשַׁב, yāshav): This word means someone who lives or settles in a place. Its use stresses that the land will be left utterly empty, not just defeated but deserted.

Why Zephaniah 2:5 matters

  • Zephaniah 2:5 clarifies that God’s judgment is not limited to Israel or Judah but extends to neighboring nations, showing the universal scope of accountability.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of God’s word (“the word of the LORD is against you”), reminding readers that divine warnings are not empty threats.
  • By naming specific groups like the Cherethites and Philistines, Zephaniah connects the prophecy to real historical peoples, grounding the warning in concrete reality rather than vague symbolism.

Where else these words appear

“Cherethites” Hebrew H3774 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Samuel 30:14 We made an invasion upon the south of the Cherethites, and upon the coast which belongeth to Judah, and upon the south of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
  • 2 Samuel 20:7 And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
  • 1 Kings 1:44 And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king's mule:

“Woe” Hebrew H1945 · used in 48 verses

  • Ruth 4:1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
  • Isaiah 29:1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
  • Ezekiel 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

“coast” Hebrew H2256 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:4 And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • Job 18:10 The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

“Canaan” Hebrew H3667 · used in 91 verses

  • Genesis 9:18 And the sons of Noah, that went forth of the ark, were Shem, and Ham, and Japheth: and Ham is the father of Canaan.
  • Genesis 45:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;
  • Numbers 35:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;