1. Zephaniah 1:10–11 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What do the contrasts in 1:10–11 indicate?

Zephaniah 1:10–11 (ESV)

10 “On that day,” declares the LORD, “a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, a loud crash from the hills.

There are contrasts between a place (the Fish Gate) and an area (the Second Quarter), between the hills and the Mortar (Zephaniah 1:11). Such contrasts “indicate totality of devastation. These verses contain no accusations, no sin to justify the judgment (contrast Zephaniah 1:12–13), simply total devastation. Such is the day of the Lord."1