Zephaniah 3
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Wo to her that is filthy - This is a denunciation of Divine judgment against Jerusalem.
Open source ↗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. (Zep. 3:1-20) filthy--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--namely, the poor, weak, widows, orphans and strangers (Jer 22:3).
Open source ↗Woe to her that is filthy, and polluted Meaning the city of Jerusalem, and its inhabitants; not as before the Babylonish captivity, but after their return from it, under the second temple, as Abarbinel owns; and even as in the times before and at the coming of Christ, and the preaching of his apostles among them; as the whole series of the prophecy, and the connection of the several parts of it, show; and there are such plain intimations of the conversion of the Gentiles, and of such a happy state of the Jews, in which they shall see evil no more, as can agree with no other times than the times of the Gospel, both the beginning and latter part of them. The character of this city, and its inhabitants, is, that it was "filthy", and polluted with murders, adulteries, oppression, rapine, and other sins: our Lord often calls them a wicked and an adulterous generation; and yet they pretended to great purity of life and manners; and they were pure in their own eyes, though not washed from their filthiness; they took much pains to make clean the outside of the cup, but within were full of impurity, ( Matthew 23:25-28 ) . In the margin it is, "woe to her that is gluttonous". The word is used for the craw or crop of a fowl, ( Leviticus 1:16 ) hence some render it F20 "woe to the craw"; to the city that is all craw, to which Jerusalem is compared for its devouring the wealth and substance of others. The Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's time are said to devour widows' houses, ( Matthew 23:14 ) and this seems to be the sin with which they were defiled, and here charged with. Some think the word signifies one that is publicly, infamous; either made a public example of, or openly exposed, as sometimes filthy harlots are; or rather one "that has made herself infamous" F21; by her sins…
Open source ↗To give still greater emphasis to his exhortation to repentance, the prophet turns to Jerusalem again, that he may once more hold up before the hardened sinners the abominations of this city, in which Jehovah daily proclaims His right, and shows the necessity for the judgment, as the only way that is left by which to secure salvation for Israel and for the whole world. Zep 3:1. "Woe to the refractory and polluted one, the oppressive city! Zep 3:2. She has not hearkened to the voice; not accepted discipline; not trusted in Jehovah; not drawn near to her God. Zep 3:3. Her princes are roaring lions in the midst of her; her judges evening wolves, who spare not for the morning. Zep 3:4. Her prophets boasters, men of treacheries: her priests desecrate that which is holy, to violence to the law." The woe applies to the city of Jerusalem. That this is intended in Zep 3:1 is indisputably evident from the explanation which follows in Zep 3:2-4 of the predicates applied to the city addressed in Zep 3:1. By the position of the indeterminate predicates מוראה and נגאלה before the subject to which the hōi refers, the threat acquires greater emphasis. מוראה is not formed from the hophal of ראה (ἐπιφανής, lxx, Cyr., Cocc.), but is the participle kal of מרא = מרה or מרר, to straighten one's self, and hold one's self against a person, hence to be rebellious (see Delitzsch on Job, on Job 33:2, note). נגאלה, stained with sins and abominations (cf. Isa 59:3). Yōnâh does not mean columba, but oppressive (as in Jer 46:16; Jer 50:16, and Jer 25:38)), as a participle of yânâh to oppress (cf. Jer 22:3). These predicates are explained and vindicated in Zep 3:2-4, viz., first of all מוראה in Zep 3:2. She gives no heed to the voice, sc. of God in the law and in the words of the prophets (comp…
Open source ↗One would wonder that Jerusalem, the holy city, where God was known, and his name was great, should be the city of which this black character is here given, that a place which enjoyed such abundance of the means of grace should become so very corrupt and vicious, and that God should permit it to be so; yet so it is, to show that the law made nothing perfect; but if this be the true character of Jerusalem, as no doubt it is (for God's judgments will make none worse than they are), it is no wonder that the prophet begins with woe to her. For the holy God hates sin in those that are nearest to him, nay, in them he hates it most. A sinful state is, and will be, a woeful state. I. Here is a very bad character given of the city in general. How has the faithful city become a harlot! 1. She shames herself; she is filthy and polluted (Zep 3:1), has made herself infamous (so some read it), the gluttonous city (so the margin), always cramming, and making provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts of it. Sin is the filthiness and pollution of persons and places, and makes them odious in the sight of the holy God. 2. She wrongs her neighbours and inhabitants; she is the oppressing city. Never any place had statutes and judgments so righteous as this city had, and yet, in the administration of the government, never was more unrighteousness. 3. She is very provoking to her God, and in every respect walks contrary to him, Zep 3:2. He had given his law, and spoken to her by his servants the prophets, telling her what was the good she should do and what the evil she should avoid; but she obeyed not his voice, nor made conscience of doing as he commanded her, in any thing. He had taken her under an excellent discipline, both of the word and of the rod; but she did not receive the instru…
Open source ↗3:1-8 Zephaniah pronounces a message of sorrow for Judah and Jerusalem and admonishes them to wait patiently for the results of God’s righteous judgment. 3:1 Polluted Jerusalem had wandered far from its call to be a holy city (Isa 52:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! מָרָא (mârâʼ, H4754) — to rebel; hence (through the idea of maltreating) to whip, i.e. lash (self with wings, as… גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1351) — to soil or (figuratively) desecrate יָנָה (yânâh, H3238) — to rage or be violent; by implication, to suppress, to maltreat עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… שָׁאַג (shâʼag, H7580) — to rumble or moan אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk זְאֵב (zᵉʼêb, H2061) — a wolf גָּרַם (gâram, H1633) — (causative) to bone, i.e. denude (by extensive, craunch) the bones בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
Open source ↗נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man פָּחַז (pâchaz, H6348) — to bubble up or froth (as boiling water), i.e. (figuratively) to be unimportant בֹּגְדוֹת (bôgᵉdôwth, H900) — treacheries אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… חָלַל (châlal, H2490) — properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity חָמַס (châmaç, H2554) — to be violent; by implication, to maltreat תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Open source ↗צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) עֲדַר (ʻădar, H5737) — to arrange as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster and so to miss (or find… עַוָּל (ʻavvâl, H5767) — evil (morally) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… בֹּשֶׁת (bôsheth, H1322) — shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication…
Open source ↗כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… פִּנָּה (pinnâh, H6438) — an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors חָרַב (chârab, H2717) — to parch (through drought) i.e. (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… צָדָה (tsâdâh, H6658) — to chase; by implication, to desolate אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint מָעוֹן (mâʻôwn, H4583) — an abode, of God (the Tabernacle or the Temple), men (their home) or animals (their… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… כֹּל (kôl, H3605) — properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… אָכֵן (ʼâkên, H403) — firmly; figuratively, surely; also (advers.) but שָׁכַם (shâkam, H7925) — literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in the morning שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) עֲלִילָה (ʻălîylâh, H5949) — an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an…
Open source ↗חָכָה (châkâh, H2442) — properly, to adhere to; hence, to await נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עַד (ʻad, H5706) — booty מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) שָׁפַךְ (shâphak, H8210) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also… זַעַם (zaʻam, H2195) — strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure… חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger
Open source ↗הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בָּרַר (bârar, H1305) — to clarify (i.e. brighten), examine, select שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first שְׁכֶם (shᵉkem, H7926) — the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of ahill
Open source ↗עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh, H3568) — Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite עָתָר (ʻâthâr, H6282) — incense (as increasing to a volume of smoke); hence a worshipper בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) יָבַל (yâbal, H2986) — properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp) מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually…
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… עֲלִילָה (ʻălîylâh, H5949) — an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an… פָּשַׁע (pâshaʻ, H6586) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… עַלִּיז (ʻallîyz, H5947) — exultant גַּאֲוָה (gaʼăvâh, H1346) — arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) גָּבַהּ (gâbahh, H1361) — to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Open source ↗שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… כָּזָב (kâzâb, H3577) — falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol) תׇּרְמָה (tormâh, H8649) — fraud לָשׁוֹן (lâshôwn, H3956) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)
Open source ↗רָנַן (rânan, H7442) — properly, to creak (or emit a stridulous sound), i.e. to shout (usually for joy) בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem רוּעַ (rûwaʻ, H7321) — to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome עָלַז (ʻâlaz, H5937) — to jump for joy, i.e. exult לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.
rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart.
Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says: “Because you have rejected this message, trusting in oppression and relying on deceit,
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Father and mother are treated with contempt. Within your walls the foreign resident is exploited, the fatherless and the widow are oppressed.
They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance.
And he is to remove the crop with its contents and throw it to the east side of the altar, in the place for ashes.
“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.