Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

ZEPHANIAH 2:9KJV
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Zephaniah 2:9 (KJV)

What does Zephaniah 2:9 mean?

Zephaniah 2:9 says that Moab and the children of Ammon, two neighboring nations of Israel, will become as ruined and desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah, left overgrown and lifeless, and that the remaining people of Israel will take over what is left of their land. This is presented as a certain promise from God, emphasizing the totality of the coming judgment.

The prophet Zephaniah is speaking God's words to the people of Judah, warning them and their neighbors about coming judgment because of their pride and hostility toward Israel. The verse uses the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah—cities famously destroyed for their wickedness—as a picture of utter devastation. The mention of "breeding of nettles" and "saltpits" paints a vivid image of land left useless and abandoned, while the "remnant" of God's people inheriting the land points to a reversal of fortunes.

The Hebrew behind Zephaniah 2:9

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068): This is the personal name of God, used here to stress the authority and certainty behind the promise.
  • "Moab" (מוֹאָב, Mo'av, H4124) and "Ammon" (עַמּוֹן, Ammon, H5983): These are Israel’s historic neighbors and rivals, and naming them directly makes the prophecy specific, not general.
  • "Breeding" (מִמְשַׁק, mimshaq, H4476) and "nettles" (חֹרֶל, ḥorel, H2738): These words describe a place overrun by wild, thorny plants, highlighting how the land will become inhospitable and abandoned.
  • "Saltpits" (מִכְרֵה־מֶלַח, mikreh-melaḥ, H4379, H4417): Saltpits refer to areas where nothing can grow, reinforcing the idea of permanent desolation.
  • "Perpetual" (עַד־עוֹלָם, ad-olam, H5704, H5769): This phrase means "forever" or "for an age," stressing that the destruction will not be quickly reversed.
  • "Remnant" (שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit, H7611) and "possess" (נָחַל, nachal, H5157): These words show that even after disaster, a surviving group from Israel will inherit what remains, suggesting hope beyond judgment.

Why Zephaniah 2:9 matters

  • Zephaniah 2:9 clarifies that God's judgment is not just for Israel but also for other nations who acted with pride and hostility, showing God's concern for justice among all peoples.
  • The verse connects the fate of Moab and Ammon to the well-known story of Sodom and Gomorrah, making the warning vivid and memorable for the original audience.
  • The mention of a "remnant" inheriting the land ties into a larger biblical theme: even in judgment, God preserves a faithful group and promises restoration.

Where else these words appear

“nettles” Hebrew H2738 · used in 3 verses

  • Job 30:7 Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.
  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

“Gomorrah” Hebrew H6017 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
  • Isaiah 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

“saltpits” Hebrew H4417 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Joshua 3:16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
  • 2 Kings 2:21 And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.

“Sodom” Hebrew H5467 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 18:16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
  • Isaiah 3:9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.