Zephaniah 1:17

Judgment

¹⁵ That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,

¹⁶ a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers.

I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.

¹⁸ Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I will bring such distress on mankind that they will walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
KJV: And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
WEB: I will bring such distress on men that they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
ASV: And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against Jehovah; and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung.
DARBY: And I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men; for they have sinned against Jehovah; and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as dung:
BLB: And I will bring distress to mankind, and they will walk like the blind, for against YHWH they have sinned; and their blood will be poured out like the dust, and their flesh like dung!

ÅB: Da vil jeg sette slik angst i menneskene at de går der som blinde, fordi de har syndet mot Herren; og deres blod skal utøses som støv, og deres kjøtt som møkk.
OTB: "Jeg vil bringe trengsel over menneskene,
så de skal gå som blinde,
fordi de har syndet mot Herren.
Deres blod skal bli utøst som støv
og deres kjøtt som møkk.
B1930: Da vil jeg sette slik angst i menneskene at de går der som blinde, fordi de har syndet mot Herren; og deres blod skal utøses som støv, og deres kjøtt som møkk.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Revelation 3:17
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Read in context
Psalms 83:10
who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground.
Read in context
2 Peter 1:9
But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Read in context
Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Read in context
Micah 7:13
Then the earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the fruit of their deeds.
Read in context
Jeremiah 10:18
For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, at this time I will sling out the inhabitants of the land and bring distress upon them so that they may be captured.”
Read in context
Jeremiah 2:17
Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way?
Read in context
Romans 11:7
What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened,
Read in context