Definition: I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Zephaniah 1:3. It's a pretty intense and dramatic statement, so we need to understand it in context. Here’s a simplified explanation: Overall Meaning: This verse describes a future event where God is going to actively punish humanity and animals – both birds and fish – for their wickedness and sin. It’s essentially a judgment by God. Let's look at the parts of the verse: “I will consume man and beast;” – This means God intends to destroy both humans and animals. It doesn’t just mean that they’ll die, but that they’ll be utterly destroyed and taken away from this earth. “I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked;” – This is a list of specific things God intends to destroy. The “fowls of the heaven” refers to birds, and the “fish of the sea” refers to marine animals. "Stumblingblocks with the wicked" means people who are deliberately causing trouble, being immoral, or disobeying God's laws. “and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.” – This is the crucial part. “I will cut off man from off the land” - this means that God intends to eliminate humanity from the earth. The word "saith" means "it is said," so it’s a direct statement from God. What's the big takeaway? This verse speaks of a time when God will punish sin and wickedness on Earth. It’s not about a single act of wrongdoing; it’s a complete annihilation of humanity and all things that are evil. It suggests a period of intense judgment and a return to a more righteous state for the earth. Important Context – Why is this verse important? Zephaniah: Zephaniah was a prophet writing about the end times, predicting future events. This verse is one of his most dramatic predictions. The Book of Revelation: This verse appears in the Book of Revelation, which is often interpreted as a prophecy about the end times. It's a significant part of this larger narrative. Disclaimer: It’s important to note that interpretations of biblical prophecies vary. This explanation offers a general understanding based on traditional interpretations. --- Do you want me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know: What the symbolism behind the imagery might mean? How this verse relates to other biblical stories about judgment or repentance?