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Zephaniah 1

BSB·18 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1This is the word of the LORDיְהוָ֣ה׀Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → cameהָיָ֗הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Zephaniahצְפַנְיָה֙ṣə·p̄an·yāh — The Lord has hiddenH6846 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Cushiכּוּשִׁ֣יkū·šî — Ethiopian personH3569 — Full Word Study →, the sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Gedaliahגְּדַלְיָ֔הgə·ḏal·yāh — Gedaliah, governor of Judah after Jerusalem's fallH1436 — Full Word Study →, the sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Amariahאֲמַרְיָ֖ה’ă·mar·yāh — The Lord exaltsH568 — Full Word Study →, the sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Hezekiahחִזְקִיָּ֑הḥiz·qî·yāh — The LORD strengthensH2396 — Full Word Study →, in the daysבִּימֵ֛יbî·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of Josiahיֹאשִׁיָּ֥הוּyō·šî·yā·hū — The Lord supports/savesH2977 — Full Word Study → sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Amonאָמ֖וֹן’ā·mō·wn — Egyptian deity; ThebesH526 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֥לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָֽה׃yə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →: 2I will completely sweep awayאָסֹ֨ף’ā·sōp̄ — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study → everythingכֹּ֗לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → fromמֵעַ֛לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the faceפְּנֵ֥יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָאֲדָמָ֖הhā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 3I will sweep awayאָסֵ֨ף’ā·sêp̄ — to cease, end, or be consumedH5486 — Full Word Study → manאָדָ֜ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → and beastוּבְהֵמָ֗הū·ḇə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →; I will sweep awayאָסֵ֤ף’ā·sêp̄ — to cease, end, or be consumedH5486 — Full Word Study → the birdsעוֹף־‘ō·wp̄- — birdH5775 — Full Word Study → of the airהַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙haš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, and the fishוּדְגֵ֣יū·ḏə·ḡê — Fish; aquatic creatureH1709 — Full Word Study → of the seaהַיָּ֔םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, and the idolsוְהַמַּכְשֵׁל֖וֹתwə·ham·maḵ·šê·lō·wṯ — stumbling block, ruin, obstacle to faithH4384 — Full Word Study → withאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → their wicked worshipers. I will cut offוְהִכְרַתִּ֣יwə·hiḵ·rat·tî — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → mankindהָאָדָ֗םhā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → fromמֵעַ֛לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the faceפְּנֵ֥יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָאֲדָמָ֖הhā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 4I will stretch outוְנָטִ֤יתִיwə·nā·ṭî·ṯî — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → My handיָדִי֙yā·ḏî — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and againstוְעַ֖לwə·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who dwellיוֹשְׁבֵ֣יyō·wō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִָ֑םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. I will cut offוְהִכְרַתִּ֞יwə·hiḵ·rat·tî — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → thisהַזֶּה֙haz·zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → placeהַמָּק֤וֹםham·mā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → every remnantשְׁאָ֣רšə·’ār — Remnant, remainder, what is leftH7605 — Full Word Study → of Baalהַבַּ֔עַלhab·ba·‘al — Baal, a pagan deity; false godH1168 — Full Word Study →, the namesשֵׁ֥םšêm — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the idolatrousהַכְּמָרִ֖יםhak·kə·mā·rîm — Idolatrous priest; pagan priest devoted to false godsH3649 — Full Word Study → andעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → pagan priests— 5those who bowהַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוִ֥יםham·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the rooftopsהַגַּגּ֖וֹתhag·gag·gō·wṯ — Roof of a house or buildingH1406 — Full Word Study → to worship the host of heavenהַשָּׁמָ֑יִםhaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, those who bow downהַמִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוִים֙ham·miš·ta·ḥă·wîm — To bow down; to worship or show reverenceH7812 — Full Word Study → and swearהַנִּשְׁבָּעִ֣יםhan·niš·bā·‘îm — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → by the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → but also swearוְהַנִּשְׁבָּעִ֖יםwə·han·niš·bā·‘îm — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → by Milcomבְּמַלְכָּֽם׃bə·mal·kām — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →, 6andוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → those who turn backהַנְּסוֹגִ֖יםhan·nə·sō·w·ḡîm — to turn back, withdraw, or turn awayH5472 — Full Word Study → from following the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, neitherלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seekingבִקְשׁ֥וּḇiq·šū — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → norוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → inquiring of Himדְרָשֻֽׁהוּ׃ḏə·rā·šu·hū — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study →.” 7Be silentהַ֕סhas — to be silent, keep quiet, hold one's peaceH2013 — Full Word Study → in the presenceמִפְּנֵ֖יmip·pə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the Lordאֲדֹנָ֣י’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → GODיְהוִ֑הYah·weh — The LORD, the covenant God of IsraelH3069 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the Dayי֣וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is nearקָרוֹב֙qā·rō·wḇ — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study →. Indeedכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study →, the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has preparedהֵכִ֧יןhê·ḵîn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → a sacrificeזֶ֖בַחze·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study →; He has consecratedהִקְדִּ֥ישׁhiq·dîš — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study → His guestsקְרֻאָֽיו׃qə·ru·’āw — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →. 8On the Dayבְּיוֹם֙bə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the LORD’sיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → sacrificeזֶ֣בַחze·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → I will punishוּפָקַדְתִּ֥יū·p̄ā·qaḏ·tî — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → the princesהַשָּׂרִ֖יםhaś·śā·rîm — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study →, the sonsבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of the kingהַמֶּ֑לֶךְham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →, andוְעַ֥לwə·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who are dressedהַלֹּבְשִׁ֖יםhal·lō·ḇə·šîm — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study → in foreignנָכְרִֽי׃nā·ḵə·rî — foreign, alien, strangerH5237 — Full Word Study → apparelמַלְבּ֥וּשׁmal·būš — Garment, clothing, outer apparelH4403 — Full Word Study →. 9On thatהַה֑וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → I will punishוּפָקַדְתִּ֗יū·p̄ā·qaḏ·tî — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who leapהַדּוֹלֵ֛גhad·dō·w·lêḡ — To leap, jump, or springH1801 — Full Word Study → overעַ֧ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the thresholdהַמִּפְתָּ֖ןham·mip̄·tān — Threshold, doorway entranceH4670 — Full Word Study →, who fillהַֽמְמַלְאִ֛יםham·mal·’îm — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of their masterאֲדֹנֵיהֶ֖ם’ă·ḏō·nê·hem — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study → with violenceחָמָ֥סḥā·mās — Violence, cruelty, or wrongful harmH2555 — Full Word Study → and deceitוּמִרְמָֽה׃סū·mir·māh — deceit, treachery, or cunning deceptionH4820 — Full Word Study →. 10On thatהַה֜וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → dayבַיּ֨וֹםḇay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, “a cryק֤וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → will go upוְהָיָה֩wə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the Fishהַדָּגִ֔יםhad·dā·ḡîm — Fish; aquatic creatureH1709 — Full Word Study → Gateמִשַּׁ֣עַרmiš·ša·‘ar — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study →, a wailוִֽילָלָ֖הwî·lā·lāh — Wailing, loud lamentation, or howling cryH3215 — Full Word Study → from the Second Districtהַמִּשְׁנֶ֑הham·miš·neh — Second; duplicate; double portionH4932 — Full Word Study →, and a loudגָּד֖וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → crashingוְשֶׁ֥בֶרwə·še·ḇer — Breaking, fracture, or shattering; destruction or ruinH7667 — Full Word Study → from the hillsמֵהַגְּבָעֽוֹת׃mê·hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ — hill, elevated terrainH1389 — Full Word Study →. 11Wailהֵילִ֖ילוּhê·lî·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O dwellersיֹשְׁבֵ֣יyō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → of the Hollowהַמַּכְתֵּ֑שׁham·maḵ·têš — Mortar or pestleH4389 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → your merchantsעַ֣ם‘am — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → will be silencedנִדְמָה֙niḏ·māh — To cease, be silent, or be destroyedH1820 — Full Word Study →; allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who weigh outנְטִ֥ילֵיnə·ṭî·lê — to carry, bear, or lift upH5187 — Full Word Study → silverכָֽסֶף׃ḵā·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → will be cut offנִכְרְת֖וּniḵ·rə·ṯū — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study →. 12Andוְהָיָה֙wə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → at thatהַהִ֔יאha·hî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → timeבָּעֵ֣תbā·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → I will searchאֲחַפֵּ֥שׂ’ă·ḥap·pêś — to search diligently, to seek out, to disguise oneselfH2664 — Full Word Study → Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֖םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → with lampsבַּנֵּר֑וֹתban·nê·rō·wṯ — A lamp or light source; illuminationH5216 — Full Word Study → and punishוּפָקַדְתִּ֣יū·p̄ā·qaḏ·tî — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → the menהָאֲנָשִׁ֗יםhā·’ă·nā·šîm — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → settledהַקֹּֽפְאִים֙haq·qō·p̄ə·’îm — To thicken, congeal, or freeze; to become dark or settledH7087 — Full Word Study → inעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → complacencyשִׁמְרֵיהֶ֔םšim·rê·hem — Sediment or dregs of wine; refuse matter left at bottom of liquid.H8105 — Full Word Study →, who sayהָאֹֽמְרִים֙hā·’ō·mə·rîm — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to themselvesבִּלְבָבָ֔םbil·ḇā·ḇām — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study →, ‘The LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will do nothingלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study →, either goodיֵיטִ֥יבyê·ṭîḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study → or badיָרֵֽעַ׃yā·rê·a‘ — to break, spoil, or do evilH7489 — Full Word Study →.’ 13Their wealthחֵילָם֙ḥê·lām — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study → will beוְהָיָ֤הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → plunderedלִמְשִׁסָּ֔הlim·šis·sāh — plunder, spoils of war, bootyH4933 — Full Word Study → and their housesוּבָתֵּיהֶ֖םū·ḇāt·tê·hem — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → laid wasteלִשְׁמָמָ֑הliš·mā·māh — desolation, devastation, ruin, astonishmentH8077 — Full Word Study →. They will buildוּבָנ֤וּū·ḇā·nū — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → housesבָתִּים֙ḇāt·tîm — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → but notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → inhabit them, and plantוְנָטְע֣וּwə·nā·ṭə·‘ū — to plant, establish, or fix firmlyH5193 — Full Word Study → vineyardsכְרָמִ֔יםḵə·rā·mîm — Vineyard; a planted garden of grapevinesH3754 — Full Word Study → but neverוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → drinkיִשְׁתּ֖וּyiš·tū — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study → their wineיֵינָֽם׃yê·nām — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study →. 14The greatהַגָּד֔וֹלhag·gā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → Dayיוֹם־yō·wm- — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is nearקָר֤וֹבqā·rō·wḇ — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study →nearקָר֖וֹבqā·rō·wḇ — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study → and comingוּמַהֵ֣רū·ma·hêr — to hurry, hasten, act quickly or speedilyH4118 — Full Word Study → quicklyמְאֹ֑דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study →. Listenק֚וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study →, the Dayי֣וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →! Thenשָׁ֥םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → the cryצֹרֵ֖חַṣō·rê·aḥ — to cry out, shout, or roar loudlyH6873 — Full Word Study → of the mightyגִּבּֽוֹר׃gib·bō·wr — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study → will be bitterמַ֥רmar — Bitter; marked by anguish or grievingH4751 — Full Word Study →. 15Thatהַה֑וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → day will beי֥וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → a dayהַיּ֣וֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of wrathעֶבְרָ֖ה‘eḇ·rāh — Fury, rage, intense angerH5678 — Full Word Study →, a dayי֧וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of troubleצָרָ֣הṣā·rāh — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → and distressוּמְצוּקָ֗הū·mə·ṣū·qāh — Distress, anguish, tight or narrow placeH4691 — Full Word Study →, a dayי֤וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of destructionשֹׁאָה֙šō·’āh — Desolation; ruin; devastating stormH7722 — Full Word Study → and desolationוּמְשׁוֹאָ֔הū·mə·šō·w·’āh — desolation, ruin, wastelandH4875 — Full Word Study →, a dayי֥וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of darknessחֹ֙שֶׁךְ֙ḥō·šeḵ — Darkness; absence of light; obscurityH2822 — Full Word Study → and gloomוַאֲפֵלָ֔הwa·’ă·p̄ê·lāh — darkness, gloom, obscurityH653 — Full Word Study →, a dayי֥וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of cloudsעָנָ֖ן‘ā·nān — cloud; visual manifestation of God's presenceH6051 — Full Word Study → and blacknessוַעֲרָפֶֽל׃wa·‘ă·rā·p̄el — thick darkness, dense cloudH6205 — Full Word Study →, 16a dayי֥וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of horn blast and battle cryוּתְרוּעָ֑הū·ṯə·rū·‘āh — Loud shout or trumpet blast of joyH8643 — Full Word Study → againstעַ֚ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the fortifiedהַבְּצֻר֔וֹתhab·bə·ṣu·rō·wṯ — to gather, fortify, or restrainH1219 — Full Word Study → citiesהֶעָרִ֣יםhe·‘ā·rîm — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, and againstוְעַ֖לwə·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the highהַגְּבֹהֽוֹת׃hag·gə·ḇō·hō·wṯ — high, exalted, or lofty in position or characterH1364 — Full Word Study → corner towersהַפִּנּ֥וֹתhap·pin·nō·wṯ — corner, cornerstone, angle, fortressH6438 — Full Word Study →. 17I will bring such distressוַהֲצֵרֹ֣תִיwa·hă·ṣê·rō·ṯî — to bind, squeeze, or oppress; to distress or afflictH6887 — Full Word Study → on mankindלָאָדָ֗םlā·’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → that they will walkוְהָֽלְכוּ֙wə·hā·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → like the blindכַּֽעִוְרִ֔יםka·‘iw·rîm — blind; unable to see physically or spirituallyH5787 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they have sinnedחָטָ֑אוּḥā·ṭā·’ū — To sin; to miss the mark; to commit wrongdoingH2398 — Full Word Study → against the LORDלַֽיהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. Their bloodדָּמָם֙dā·mām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → will be poured outוְשֻׁפַּ֤ךְwə·šup·paḵ — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → like dustכֶּֽעָפָ֔רke·‘ā·p̄ār — dust; fine particles of earth or ground matterH6083 — Full Word Study → and their fleshוּלְחֻמָ֖םū·lə·ḥu·mām — while eating; throat or gulletH3894 — Full Word Study → like dungכַּגְּלָלִֽים׃kag·gə·lā·lîm — dung, excrement, filthH1557 — Full Word Study →. 18Neither their silver norגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → their goldזְהָבָ֜םzə·hā·ḇām — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → will be ableיוּכַ֣לyū·ḵal — to be able, have power, endureH3201 — Full Word Study → to deliver themלְהַצִּילָ֗םlə·haṣ·ṣî·lām — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → on the Dayבְּיוֹם֙bə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the LORD’sיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → wrathעֶבְרַ֣ת‘eḇ·raṯ — Fury, rage, intense angerH5678 — Full Word Study →. The wholeכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → earthהָאָ֑רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → will be consumedתֵּאָכֵ֖לtê·’ā·ḵêl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → by the fireוּבְאֵשׁ֙ū·ḇə·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → of His jealousyקִנְאָת֔וֹqin·’ā·ṯōw — zealous passion; jealousy; fervent intensityH7068 — Full Word Study →.” Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → indeedאַךְ־’aḵ- — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study →, He will makeיַֽעֲשֶׂ֔הya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → a suddenנִבְהָלָה֙niḇ·hā·lāh — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study → endכָלָ֤הḵā·lāh — Complete destruction; utter consumption; endH3617 — Full Word Study → ofאֵ֥ת’êṯ — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who dwellיֹשְׁבֵ֖יyō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → on the earthהָאָֽרֶץ׃סhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Zephaniah 1
Chapter Overview

Overview: Zephaniah Chapter 1

Zephaniah's opening chapter announces a coming day of judgment so severe that it will affect all creation—humans, animals, and nature itself. Writing during the reign of King Josiah (around 630 BC), Zephaniah calls Judah to repentance before the Day of the Lord arrives. The prophet's message is unsparing: God will judge both the wicked and the spiritually complacent, those who have turned away from Him and those who assume He is indifferent to their sin. Yet even within this dark pronouncement lies the seed of hope—judgment comes to those who have rejected God's covenant and turned to idolatry.

Verses 1–3: The Prophet and His Radical Message

Zephaniah identifies himself with unusual precision, tracing his lineage back through four generations to Hizkiah (likely King Hezekiah). This genealogy establishes his credibility and connection to Judah's faithful past. His message arrives in Josiah's day, a time of religious reform, yet Zephaniah's warning suggests that outward changes have not touched all hearts.

The opening declaration—"I will utterly consume all things from off the land"—is staggering. God announces total devastation: man, beast, birds, and fish will be swept away. The phrase "stumbling blocks with the wicked" refers to idols that lead people to sin. This is not mere punishment; it is cosmic judgment. God's wrath is not partial or hesitant; it is total and deliberate.

Verses 4–6: God's Indictment of Judah

The scope narrows from universal to specific: Judah and Jerusalem face God's hand of judgment. Zephaniah identifies the guilty: those who worship Baal and the Chemarims (pagan priests); those who worship the host of heaven from their rooftops (astrology and star worship); those who swear by both the Lord and by Malcham (an Ammonite god), attempting to serve two masters. But verses 5–6 reveal the deepest sin: apathy. Some have turned their backs on the Lord entirely; others simply do not seek Him. Spiritual indifference is as much an offense to God as open idolatry.

Verses 7–13: The Day of the Lord's Sacrifice

Verse 7 opens with a haunting command: "Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD." This is not comfort but a warning to cease all complaint and striving; the judgment is imminent and inevitable. The metaphor of the Lord preparing a sacrifice is striking—Judah's destruction will be as solemn and certain as a sacrificial offering prepared by the host. God Himself has "bid his guests"—an image of judgment as a formal, orchestrated event.

The Day of the Lord will spare no one: princes, royal children, those in fine clothing, and those who practice violence and deceit fill their masters' houses (verses 8–9). Verses 10–11 paint a vivid scene of Jerusalem's fall, with cries from the Fish Gate and the destruction of the merchant quarter. Yet verse 12 adds a chilling detail: God will search Jerusalem "with candles," seeking out those who say in their hearts, "The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil." These are the most dangerous sinners—not rebels, but the spiritually numb who believe God is indifferent and inactive.

Verses 14–18: The Day of the Lord Described

The final verses shift to pure description of the coming judgment. Verses 14–16 pile image upon image: wrath, trouble, distress, darkness, clouds, thick darkness, trumpet, and alarm. It is relentless and total. Verse 17 explains why: they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be "poured out as dust" and their flesh "as the dung"—complete humiliation and destruction.

The chapter closes with ultimate futility: neither silver nor gold can deliver them (verse 18). All wealth and security crumble before God's fire of jealousy. He will make "a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land."

Application for Today

Zephaniah challenges us to take God's judgment seriously and to reject both overt idolatry and spiritual complacency. We live in an age of skepticism about divine judgment, yet Scripture is clear: God is holy, sin has consequences, and the Day of the Lord is real. The application is urgent: seek the Lord now, while He may be found, and warn others of the reality of coming judgment. Our security rests not in wealth or status, but in genuine repentance and faith in Christ, who bore God's wrath on our behalf.

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