Zephaniah Chapter 3

From The Open Bible Project

3:1 Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, the oppressing city!

• (a) That is, Jerusalem.

3:2 She didn't obey the voice. She didn't receive correction. She didn't trust in Yahweh. She didn't draw near to her God.

3:3 Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing until the next day.

• (b) They are so greedy, that they eat up bones and all.

3:4 Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law.

3:5 Yahweh, in the midst of her, is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn't fail, but the unjust know no shame.

• (c) The wicked thus boasted that God was ever among them, but the Prophet answers that that cannot excuse their wickedness: for God will not bear with their sins. Yet he did patiently abide and sent his Prophets continually to call them to repentance, but he profited nothing.

3:6 I have cut off nations. Their battlements are desolate. I have made their streets waste, so that no one passes by. Their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.

• (d) By the destruction of other nations he shows that the Jews should have learned to fear God.

3:7 I said, "Just fear me. Receive correction, so that her dwelling won't be cut off, according to all that I have appointed concerning her." But they rose early and corrupted all their doings.

• (e) They were most earnest and ready to do wickedly.

3:8 "Therefore wait for me," says Yahweh, "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 on them my indignation, even all my fierce anger, for all the earth will be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

• (f) Seeing that you will not repent, you can expect my vengeance as well as other nations.

3:9 For then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that they may all call on the name of Yahweh, to serve him shoulder to shoulder.

• (g) Lest any should then think that God’s glory should have perished when Judah was destroyed, he shows that he will proclaim his grace through all the world.

3:10 From beyond the rivers of Cush, my worshipers, even the daughter of my dispersed people, will bring my offering.

• (h) That is, the Jews will come as well as the Gentiles: which is to be understood as referring to the time of the Gospel.

3:11 In that day you will not be disappointed for all your doings, in which you have transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of you your proudly exulting ones, and you will no more be haughty in my holy mountain.

• (i) For they will have full remission of their sins, and the hypocrites who boasted of the temple, which was also your pride in times past, will be taken from you.

3:12 But I will leave in the midst of you an afflicted and poor people, and they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.

3:13 The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid."

3:14 Sing, daughter of Zion! Shout, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem.

3:15 Yahweh has taken away your judgments. He has thrown out your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is in the midst of you. You will not be afraid of evil any more.

• (k) That is, the punishment for your sin.
• (l) As the Assyrians, Chaldaeans, Egyptians, and other nations.
• (m) To defend you, as by your sins you have put him away, and left yourself naked, as in (Exodus 32:25).

3:16 In that day, it will be said to Jerusalem, "Don't be afraid, Zion. Don't let your hands be weak."

3:17 Yahweh, your God, is in the midst of you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.

• (n) Signifying, that God delights to show his love and great affection toward his Church.

3:18 I will remove those who grieve about the appointed feasts from you. They are a burden and a reproach to you.

• (o) That is, those that were held in hatred and reviled for the Church, and because of their religion.

3:19 Behold, at that time I will deal with all those who afflict you, and I will save those who are lame, and gather those who were driven away. I will give them praise and honor, whose shame has been in all the earth.

• (p) I will deliver the Church, which now is afflicted, as in (Micah 4:6).
• (q) As among the Assyrians and Chaldaeans, who mocked them and put them to shame.

3:20 At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you; for I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says Yahweh.