There are two distinct units, in Zephaniah 1:2–3 and Zephaniah 1:4–6. The first unit is marked by the repetition of the phrase “‘from the face of the earth,’ declares the Lord,” the repetition of “sweep away,” and the subject matter of the comprehensive destruction of all things. The second unit shifts in focus from judgment upon all creation to judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem in particular for wickedness and idolatry.
2 “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.