“Cedar work” points to living in luxury. The majestic Assyrian temples and palaces were lined with cedar panels or other architectural masterpieces.1 In Israel, David and Solomon lived in palaces of cedar (2 Samuel 7:2, 2 Samuel 2:7; 1 Kings 5:6, 1 Kings 5:8), and Jehoahaz squandered resources on the building of a new cedar palace yet ignored the religious and social crises of his day, and was condemned for this (Jeremiah 22:14–16).2
Zephaniah says that the cedar work of Nineveh will be laid bare.
Its luxurious cedar workmanship will be neglected, laid on the ground and exposed to the wind, rain, and scorching heat. It cannot stand against the Lord.
14 Herds shall lie down in her midst, all kinds of beasts; even the owl and the hedgehog shall lodge in her capitals; a voice shall hoot in the window; devastation will be on the threshold; for her cedar work will be laid bare.