1. Zephaniah 1:13 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What kind of “goods” are in view?

Zephaniah 1:13 (ESV)

13 Their goods shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them.”

This word points to all resources the people had at their disposal (Habakkuk 3:9). Broadly, the term includes the notion of strength, power, or riches. In earlier times the Lord had warned Israel that when that when they came into the land, they must not attribute their wealth to their own efforts by saying, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth [same word as in Zephaniah 1:13]." Instead they were to remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 8:17–18). But now Zephaniah announces that they are to forfeit all the blessings of the covenant.1 They will not survive to enjoy their wealth.