Bible Strands
Zephaniah 2:10
This they shall have in return for their pride, for taunting and mocking the people of the LORD of Hosts.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD of Hosts pronounces judgment on Moab and Ammon immediately after declaring their land will become a perpetual wasteland like Sodom and Gomorrah. He addresses the nations that have consistently opposed His chosen people.
The words — The Hebrew תַּחַת (taḥaṯ) literally means "in place of" or "in return for," while גֵּאוֹנָם (ge'ōnām) translates directly to "their pride." The text presents the coming devastation as a direct transactional exchange for their arrogance.
The thread — The specific charge of Moab's excessive pride runs through Isaiah 16:6 and Jeremiah 48:29, while the accusation of taunting God's people links directly to Zephaniah 2:8. These passages collectively establish a pattern where national conceit triggers prophetic judgment.
Why it lands — The verse states that the announced destruction is the calculated result of mocking the LORD's people and elevating themselves above Him. It requires the reader to recognize that divine judgment operates on a principle of measured retribution rather than arbitrary wrath.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 16:6 We have heard of Moab’s pomposity, his exceeding pride and conceit, his overflowing arrogance. But his boasting is empty.
- Jeremiah 48:29 We have heard of Moab’s pomposity, his exceeding pride and conceit, his proud arrogance and haughtiness of heart.
- Zephaniah 2:8 “I have heard the reproach of Moab and the insults of the Ammonites, who have taunted My people and threatened their borders.
- Exodus 9:17 Still, you lord it over My people and do not allow them to go.
- Exodus 10:3 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.
- Isaiah 10:12 So when the Lord has completed all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his arrogant heart and the proud look in his eyes.
- Isaiah 37:22 this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you.
- Ezekiel 38:14 Therefore prophesy, son of man, and tell Gog that this is what the Lord GOD says: On that day when My people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not take notice of this?
- Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
- Daniel 5:20 But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.