Zephaniah 3 KJV
Jerusalem's Redemption
Zephaniah Chapter 3: Jerusalem's Redemption
Zephaniah 3:9's promise of a 'pure language' is widely read as an explicit reversal of the Babel narrative in Genesis 11, envisioning restored universal worship rather than scattered confusion.
1oe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!
2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
3 Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.
7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.
8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
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Did You Know?
Zephaniah 3:9's promise of a 'pure language' is widely read as an explicit reversal of the Babel narrative in Genesis 11, envisioning restored universal worship rather than scattered confusion.
Verse 17's depiction of YHWH 'resting in his love' and rejoicing over Zion with singing employs rare maternal and nuptial imagery that echoes but intensifies the tender divine emotions found in Hosea and Isaiah.
The chapter's movement from the 'woe' against the polluted city (3:1) to the remnant of 'afflicted and poor' people (3:12) deliberately echoes the anawim tradition of the Psalms while anticipating the Beatitudes' emphasis on humble trust.
Zephaniah 3:8-10's gathering of nations to receive a changed speech links the outpouring of judgment with the conversion of Gentiles, providing an Old Testament precursor to the multilingual witness at Pentecost.
The final promise that God will 'gather her that was driven out' (3:19) uses the same Hebrew root for exile and restoration that appears in Deuteronomy 30, framing Jerusalem's redemption as covenant renewal on a cosmic scale.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain filthy โ MAURER translates from a different root, "rebellious," "contumacious." But the following term, "polluted," refers rather to her inward moral filth, in spite of her outwardโฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Zephaniah 3 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: Resumption of the denunciation of Jerusalem, as being unreformed by the punishment of other nations: after her chastisement Jehovah will interpose for her against her foes; His worship shall flourish in all lands, beginning at Jerusalem, where he shall be in the midst of his people, and shall make them a praise in all the earth.
- 1
- filthy โ MAURER translates from a different root, "rebellious," "contumacious." But the following term, "polluted," refers rather to her inward moral filth, in spite of her outward ceremonial purity [CALVIN]. GROTIUS says, the Hebrew is used of women who have prostituted their virtue. There is in the Hebrew Moreah; a play on the name Moriah, the hill on which the temple was built; implying the glaring contrast between their filthiness and the holiness of the worship on Moriah in which they professed to have a share. oppressing โ namely, the poor, weak, widows, orphans and strangers (Jer 22:3).
- 2
- received not correction โ Jerusalem is incurable, obstinately rejecting salutary admonition, and refusing to be reformed by "correction" (Jer 5:3). trusted not in... Lord โ Distrust in the Lord as if He were insufficient, is the parent of all superstitions and wickednesses [CALVIN]. drew not near to her God โ Though God was specially near to her (De 4:7) as "her God," yet she drew not near to Him, but gratuitously estranged herself from Him.
Read all 22 notes on Zephaniah 3 โ