Zephaniah 2

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), Aleppo Codex (10th century), Codex Leningradensis (1008).[6] Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, including 4Q77 (4QXII^b; 150–125 BCE) with extant verses 13–15;[7][8][9] 4Q78 (4QXII^c; 75–50 BCE) with extant verse 15;[8][9][10] and Wadi Murabba'at Minor Prophets (Mur88; MurXIIProph; 75–100 CE) with extant verses 1–15.[8][11]

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^Q; 6th century).[12] Fragments cumulatively containing all verses of this chapter (a revision of the Septuagint) were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, i.e., Naḥal Ḥever (8ḤevXII^gr; 1st century CE) with extant verses 9–10.[8][13]

For Gaza shall be forsaken,

And Ashkelon desolate;

They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday,

And Ekron shall be uprooted.[16]

• "Gaza", "Ashkelon", "Ashdod", "Ekron" – Four of the usual five leading cities of the Philistines are mentioned. Gath is omitted, being at this time under the dominion of Israel/Judah. King David had subjugated it (1 Chronicles 18:1). Under Joram the Philistines almost regained it (2 Chronicles 21:16), but Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:6) and Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:8) conquered them, so it remained under the Judah. Amos 1:6; Zechariah 9:5,6; Jeremiah 25:20, similarly mention only four cities of the Philistines.[17]

Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast,

The nation of the Cherethites!

The word of the Lord is against you,

O Canaan, land of the Philistines:

"I will destroy you;

So there shall be no inhabitant."[18]

• "Cherethites" refers to the Cretans, a name applied to the Philistines as sprung from Crete (Deuteronomy 2:23; Jeremiah 47:4; Amos 9:7). Philistine means "an emigrant."[17]