Lexical Summary karah: To dig, to excavate, to make a pit Original Word: כָּרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cottage Feminine of kar; a meadow -- cottage. see HEBREW kar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom karah Definition a cistern, well NASB Translation caves (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [כָּרָה] noun feminine cistern (or well), only plural construct In נְוֺת כְּרֹת רֹעִים Zephaniah 2:6 pastures of (= with) wells of shepherds, but text dubious; ׳כ a gloss according to Köii. 176, (§ 94 a) Anm.; ᵐ5. κρήτὴ We (כֶרת נות רעים והיתה as ᵐ5. kereth = Philistia; see further כְּרֵתִי; BöhmeZAW vii. 1887, 212 views כְּרֹת, plausibly, as erroneous variant of preceding נְוֺת, so Schwib. x. 1890, 185, 186; Rosthstein in KauAT. כְּרֹת Zephaniah 2:6 see [ כָּרָה] below I. כרה. Topical Lexicon Setting in ZephaniahThe word כָּרָה appears once in Scripture, in Zephaniah 2:6: “So the land by the sea will become pastures with cottages for shepherds and folds for flocks”. The prophecy targets the Philistine coastline—Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron—denouncing their arrogance (Zephaniah 2:4-5) and announcing that their fortified ports would be razed. Instead of bustling merchant cities, the shoreline would host “cottages” (dug-out shelters) used by itinerant shepherds. The term marks the dramatic downgrade from urban grandeur to humble agrarian use, underscoring the certainty of divine judgment. Historical Picture Archaeology confirms numerous rock-hewn shelters and low field huts throughout the Shephelah and coastal plain, dating from the Iron Age onward. Such structures provided shade, storage, and nighttime refuge for shepherds who grazed sheep on open pasture. Their simplicity matched the seasonal, often nomadic rhythms of pastoral life. Zephaniah foresees Philistine palaces reduced to these rough shelters, vividly portraying total socioeconomic reversal. Prophetic Themes 1. Reversal of Fortune The verse illustrates the biblical motif that the proud are humbled while the lowly inherit the land (compare Isaiah 2:12-17; Luke 1:52). Mighty seaports fall; simple shepherds gain dwelling space. 2. Covenant Faithfulness Though foreign nations fall under judgment, the remnant of Judah is promised future possession (Zephaniah 2:7). The appearance of כָּרָה indirectly reassures God’s people that His covenant promises transcend national upheavals. 3. Rest and Provision Pastures and folds denote peace. Even in the wake of judgment, the Lord provides for daily needs, prefiguring the “green pastures” imagery of Psalm 23. Theological Reflections • God’s Sovereignty over Geography Territory can change hands overnight under divine decree. National borders, urban development, and commercial success are not autonomous but subject to the Lord’s purposes. • Humble Dwelling as Divine Gift While cities symbolize human achievement, the shepherd’s shelter signifies dependence on God. Scripture repeatedly elevates pastoral imagery (Genesis 46:34; 1 Samuel 16:11; John 10:11), reminding believers that identity rests not in monuments but in God’s presence. • Anticipation of Messianic Shepherd-King The movement from Philistine splendor to shepherd occupation anticipates a future Davidic figure who, though appearing humble, will rule nations (Ezekiel 34:23-24; Matthew 2:6). Judgment clears space for redemptive leadership. Ministry Applications 1. Preaching Judgment and Hope Zephaniah 2:6 offers a balanced message: God confronts pride but also prepares a place of sustenance. Pastoral teaching can employ כָּרָה to urge repentance and highlight divine provision awaiting the humble. 2. Encouraging Contentment Modern believers surrounded by consumer culture may draw comfort from the image of a dug-out shelter. Contentment is not lack of ambition but trust that God supplies “food and covering” (1 Timothy 6:8). 3. Mission to the Marginalized Shepherds were socially inconspicuous. The Lord’s choice of their cottages as a prophetic emblem affirms ministry that honors overlooked vocations and communities. Typological Glimpses • From Ruin to Renewal The text foreshadows eschatological transformation when deserts bloom (Isaiah 35:1) and former wastelands host God’s flock (Ezekiel 36:34-38). • Shelter in Christ Just as כָּרָה denotes a hollowed-out refuge, Christ provides a cleft in the Rock where sinners find safety (Exodus 33:22; Colossians 3:3). Summary Strong’s Hebrew 3741, כָּרָה, paints a single yet striking tableau: coastal citadels replaced by shepherds’ dug-out shelters. It encapsulates divine judgment that humbles the proud, preservation that uplifts the lowly, and prophetic assurance that God reclaims territory for His covenant people. The term invites readers and ministers alike to embrace humble dependence on the Chief Shepherd, whose care endures long after human structures crumble. Forms and Transliterations כְּרֹ֥ת כרת kə·rōṯ keRot kərōṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Zephaniah 2:6 HEB: הַיָּ֗ם נְוֹ֛ת כְּרֹ֥ת רֹעִ֖ים וְגִדְר֥וֹת NAS: will be pastures, [With] caves for shepherds KJV: shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, INT: and the sea will be pastures caves shepherds and folds |
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