Zephaniah 2:14
"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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her,.... In the midst of the city of Nineveh; in the streets of it, where houses stood, and people in great numbers walked; but now only should be seen the cottages of shepherds, and flocks of sheep feeding or lying down, as is before observed of the sea coast of the Philistines, Zep 2:6 , all the beasts of the nations; that is, all sorts of beasts, especially wild beasts, in the several parts of the world, should come and dwell here; instead of kings and princes, nobles, merchants, and the great men thereof, who once here inhabited, now there should be beasts of prey, terrible to come nigh unto; for these are to be understood properly and literally, and not figuratively, of men, for their savageness and cruelty, comparable to beasts: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; of the doors of the houses in Nineveh: or, "on its pomegranates" (k); the figures of these being often put on chapiters, turrets, pinnacles,

pillars, and posts in buildings, and over porches of doors; and on these those melancholy and doleful creatures here mentioned, which delight in solitary places, should take up their abode. The "cormorant" is the same with the "corvus aquaticus", or "sea raven", about the size of a goose; it builds not only among rocks, but often on trees: what is called the "shagge" is a species of it, or the lesser cormorant, a water fowl common on our northern coasts; is somewhat larger than a common duck, and builds on trees as the common cormorant (l). Bochart (m) takes it to be the "pelican" which is here meant; and indeed, whatever bird it is, it seems to have its name from vomiting; and this is what naturalists (n) observe of the pelican, that it swallows down shell fish, which, being kept awhile in its stomach, are heated, and then it casts them up, which then open easily, and it picks out the flesh of them: and it seems to delight in desolate places, since it is called the pelican of the wilderness, Psa 102:6 . Isidore says (o) it is an Egyptian bird, dwelling in the desert by the river Nile, from whence it has its name; for it is called "canopus Aegyptus"; and the Vulgate Latin version renders the word here "onocrotalus", the same with the pelican; and Montanus translates it the "pelican"; and so do others. The "bittern" is a bird of the heron kind; it is much the size of a common heron; it is usually found in sedgy and reedy places near water, and sometimes in hedges; it makes a very remarkable noise, and, from the singularity of it, the common people imagine it sticks its beak in a reed or in the mud, in order to make it; hence it is sometimes called the "mire drum" (p). It is said it will sometimes make a noise like a bull, or the blowing of a horn, so as to be heard half a German mile, or one hour's journey; hence it is by some called "botaurus", as if "bootaurus", because it imitates the bellowing of a bull (q). The Tigurine version renders it the "castor" or "beaver" (r); but Bochart (s) takes it to be the "hedgehog"; and so the word is rendered in the Vulgate Latin, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and by others: which is a solitary creature, and drives away all other animals from society with it by its prickles: their voice shall sing in the windows: of desolate houses, the inhabitants being gone who used to be seen looking out of them; but now these creatures before named should dwell here, and utter their doleful sounds, who otherwise would not have come near them: desolation shall be in the thresholds; there being none to go in and out over them. The Septuagint version, and which is followed by the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions, render it, "the ravens shall be in its gates": mistaking "desolation", for "a raven": for he shall uncover the cedar work; the enemy Nebuchadnezzar, or Nabopolassar, when he should take the city, would unroof the houses panelled with cedar, and expose all the fine cedar work within to the inclemencies of the air, which would soon come to ruin. All these expressions are designed to set forth the utter ruin and destruction of this vast and populous city; and which was so utterly destroyed, as Lucian says, that there is no trace of it to be found; and, according to modern travellers, there are only heaps of rubbish to be seen, which are conjectured to be the ruins of this city; See Gill on Nah 1:8 . (k) "in malogranatis ejus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Tarnovius. (l) Vid Supplement to Chambers's Dictionary, in the words "Cormorant, Cornus Aquaticus", and "Shagge". (m) Hierozoic. par. 2. l. 1. c. 24. col. 294. (n) Aristot. Hist. Animal. l. 9. c. 10. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 10. c. 40. Aelian de Animal. l. 3. c. 20. (o) Originum, l. 12. c. 7. (p) Supplement, ut supra (Chambers's Dictionary), in the word "Bittern". (q) Schotti Physica Curiosa, par. 2. l. 9. c. 24. p. 1160. (r) Vid. Fuller. Miscel. Saer. l. 1. c. 18. (s) Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 3. c. 36. col. 1036.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (20 words)

H7257 רָבַץ
Definition:

9, 3feminine singular consecutiveוְרָֽבְצָהDeuteronomy 29:19,רָבָ֑צָהEzekiel 19:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִרְבָּ֑ץIsaiah 11:6;Isaiah 27:10; 3feminine singularוַתִּרְבַּץNumbers 22:27; 3masc 9, 3feminine singular consecutiveוְרָֽבְצָהDeuteronomy 29:19,רָבָ֑צָהEzekiel 19:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִרְבָּ֑ץIsaiah 11:6;Isaiah 27:10; 3feminine singularוַתִּרְבַּץNumbers 22:27; 3masc

Possible Meanings:
  • place of (semantic_range)
  • lying down (semantic_range)
  • resting- (semantic_range)
  • dwelling-place (semantic_range)
H8432 תָּוֶךְ
Definition:

10+; constructתּוֺךְGenesis 1:6+;תּוֺכִי,תּוֺכוֺ, etc., 2 feminine singularתּוֺכֵּ֫ כִיPsalm 116:19;Psalm 135:9,תּוֺכֹהEzekiel 48:15,21,תּוֺכֲכֶםGenesis 23:9+,תּוֺכָ֫הְנָהEzekiel 16:53(Ges§ 91f); —mid 10+; constructתּוֺךְGenesis 1:6+;תּוֺכִי,תּוֺכוֺ, etc., 2 feminine singularתּוֺכֵּ֫ כִיPsalm 116:19;Psalm 135:9,תּוֺכֹהEzekiel 48:15,21,תּוֺכֲכֶםGenesis 23:9+,תּוֺכָ֫הְנָהEzekiel 16:53(Ges§ 91f); —mid

Possible Meanings:
  • midst (semantic_range)
H5739 עֵדֶר
Definition:

2flock, herd(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicעַדְרָא; onᵐ5ΓαδερGenesis 35:16( = HCTGenesis 35:21) see LagBN 76 f., who assigns׳עtherefore, plausibly, to III.עדר(), aslagging, loitering); —׳עabsoluteGenesis 32: 2flock, herd(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicעַדְרָא; onᵐ5ΓαδερGenesis 35:16( = HCTGenesis 35:21) see LagBN 76 f., who assigns׳עtherefore, plausibly, to III.עדר(), aslagging, loitering); —׳עabsoluteGenesis 32:

H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H2416 חַי
Definition:

Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat

H1471 גּוֹי
Definition:

2nation, people(Late Hebrewid. Gentiles, Phoenicianגוcommunity,, Sabeanגוid., DHMZMG 1883, 348) —׳גGenesis 12:2121t.; suffix 1 singularגּוֺיִZephaniah 2:9,גּוֺיֶ֑ךָPsalm 106:5,גּוֺיֵךְKtEzekiel 36:13, 2nation, people(Late Hebrewid. Gentiles, Phoenicianגוcommunity,, Sabeanגוid., DHMZMG 1883, 348) —׳גGenesis 12:2121t.; suffix 1 singularגּוֺיִZephaniah 2:9,גּוֺיֶ֑ךָPsalm 106:5,גּוֺיֵךְKtEzekiel 36:13,

H1571 גַּם
Definition:

6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ 6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ

Possible Meanings:
  • moreover (semantic_range)
  • yea (semantic_range)
H6893 קָאַת
Definition:

18=Deuteronomy 14:17, as unclean;קָאַת(van d. H. Gi; Baerקָאָת)Isaiah 34:11;Zephaniah 2:14, as inhabiting ruins; constructקְאַת מִדְכָּרPsalm 102:7, simile of loneliness.קַבsee I.קבב. BelowI.קבב(√ of 18=Deuteronomy 14:17, as unclean;קָאַת(van d. H. Gi; Baerקָאָת)Isaiah 34:11;Zephaniah 2:14, as inhabiting ruins; constructקְאַת מִדְכָּרPsalm 102:7, simile of loneliness.קַבsee I.קבב. BelowI.קבב(√ of

Possible Meanings:
  • pelican (semantic_range)
H1571 גַּם
Definition:

6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ 6וַתִּתֵּן גַּם לְאִישָׁהּand gavealsoto her husband,Genesis 3:27and takealsoof the tree of life,Genesis 7:3;Genesis 19:21;Genesis 24:19;Genesis 26:21;Genesis 29:27;Genesis 30:15;Genesis 32:21(גַּם הִ

Possible Meanings:
  • moreover (semantic_range)
  • yea (semantic_range)
H7090 קִפוֹד
Definition:

23;Zephaniah 2:14,קִמּוֺדIsaiah 34:11.Topical LexiconIdentification and Natural Historyקִפוֹד is generally understood to denote a small, spiny mammal such as the hedgehog or porcupine. These creatures 23;Zephaniah 2:14,קִמּוֺדIsaiah 34:11.Topical LexiconIdentification and Natural Historyקִפוֹד is generally understood to denote a small, spiny mammal such as the hedgehog or porcupine. These creatures

H3730 כַּפְתֹּר
Definition:

1) kaphtowr {kaf-tore'}; probably from an unused root meaning to encircle; a chaplet; but used only in an architectonic sense, i.e. The capital of a column, or a wreath-like button or disk on the cand 1) kaphtowr {kaf-tore'}; probably from an unused root meaning to encircle; a chaplet; but used only in an architectonic sense, i.e. The capital of a column, or a wreath-like button or disk on the cand

H3885 לוּן
Definition:

Or liyn {leen}; a primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain) -- abide (all night), con Or liyn {leen}; a primitive root; to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain) -- abide (all night), con

Possible Meanings:
  • murmur (semantic_range)
  • murmur (semantic_range)
  • murmur (semantic_range)
  • cause to murmur (semantic_range)
H6963 קוֹל
Definition:

14sound, voice; — absoluteקוֺלGenesis 4:10+ (הַקֹּלGenesis 27:22;Genesis 45:16); constructקוֺלGenesis 3:8+ (וְקֹלExodus 19:16,לְקֹלExodus 4:8(twice in verse)); suffixקוֺלִי1 Samuel 26:17+,קוֺלְךָJudge 14sound, voice; — absoluteקוֺלGenesis 4:10+ (הַקֹּלGenesis 27:22;Genesis 45:16); constructקוֺלGenesis 3:8+ (וְקֹלExodus 19:16,לְקֹלExodus 4:8(twice in verse)); suffixקוֺלִי1 Samuel 26:17+,קוֺלְךָJudge

H7891 שַׁיר
Definition:

1;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשִׁירExodus 15:1;Numbers 21:17(readיָשִׁרJob 33:27forיָשִׁר, √II.שׁוּר, so SS Bu Gerber; in this sense also Ew De Di RV and all modern); 3 feminine singularוַתָּ֫שַׁרJu 1;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשִׁירExodus 15:1;Numbers 21:17(readיָשִׁרJob 33:27forיָשִׁר, √II.שׁוּר, so SS Bu Gerber; in this sense also Ew De Di RV and all modern); 3 feminine singularוַתָּ֫שַׁרJu

Possible Meanings:
  • be sung (semantic_range)
H2474 חַלּוֹן
Definition:

18andfeminineEzekiel 40:16window, absoluteהַחַלּוֺןGenesis 26:812t.; constructחַלּוֺןGenesis 8:6;Proverbs 7:6; suffixחַלּוֺנָו֯Ezekiel 40:22; masculine pluralחַלּוֺנִיםEzekiel 40:253t.; constructחַלּו 18andfeminineEzekiel 40:16window, absoluteהַחַלּוֺןGenesis 26:812t.; constructחַלּוֺןGenesis 8:6;Proverbs 7:6; suffixחַלּוֺנָו֯Ezekiel 40:22; masculine pluralחַלּוֺנִיםEzekiel 40:253t.; constructחַלּו

H2721 חֹרֶב
Definition:

A collaterally form ofchereb; drought or desolation -- desolation, drought, dry, heat, X utterly, waste.see HEBREWcherebBrown-Driver-BriggsI.חֹ֫רֶבnoun masculineGenesis 31:40dryness, drought, heat, ab A collaterally form ofchereb; drought or desolation -- desolation, drought, dry, heat, X utterly, waste.see HEBREWcherebBrown-Driver-BriggsI.חֹ֫רֶבnoun masculineGenesis 31:40dryness, drought, heat, ab

Possible Meanings:
  • be waste (semantic_range)
H5592 סַף
Definition:

Fromcaphaph, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine) -- bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate, post, threshold.see HEBREWcaphaphBrown-Drive Fromcaphaph, in its original sense of containing; a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine) -- bason, bowl, cup, door (post), gate, post, threshold.see HEBREWcaphaphBrown-Drive

Possible Meanings:
  • threshhold (semantic_range)
  • sill (semantic_range)
H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H0731 אַרְזה
Definition:

14.Topical LexiconScope of the WordArzeh designates cedar timber, appearing only once in the Hebrew canon inZephaniah 2:14. Though rare in form, it stands within the well-attested biblical theme of ce 14.Topical LexiconScope of the WordArzeh designates cedar timber, appearing only once in the Hebrew canon inZephaniah 2:14. Though rare in form, it stands within the well-attested biblical theme of ce

Possible Meanings:
  • cedar-panels (semantic_range)
  • cedar-work (semantic_range)
H6168 עָרָה
Definition:

6;Zephaniah 2:14;Imperfect3masculine singularיְעָרֶהIsaiah 3:17; 3 feminine singularוַהְּעַרGenesis 24:20; 2masculine singular jussiveתְּעַרPsalm 141:8; 3masculine pluralוִיעָרוּ2Chronicles 24:11;Impe 6;Zephaniah 2:14;Imperfect3masculine singularיְעָרֶהIsaiah 3:17; 3 feminine singularוַהְּעַרGenesis 24:20; 2masculine singular jussiveתְּעַרPsalm 141:8; 3masculine pluralוִיעָרוּ2Chronicles 24:11;Impe

Possible Meanings:
  • bare place (semantic_range)

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