Zephaniah 3:6-8

6 "I have cut off nations; Their corner towers are in ruins. I have made their streets 1desolate, With no one passing by; Their 2cities are laid waste, Without * a man, 3without * an inhabitant.
7 "I said, 'Surely you will revere Me, 4Accept instruction.' So her dwelling will 5not be cut off According to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they were eager to 6corrupt all their deeds.
8 "Therefore 7wait for Me," declares the LORD, "For the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to 8gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For 9all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal.

Zephaniah 3:6-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZEPHANIAH 3

In this chapter the character of the city of Jerusalem, and its inhabitants in general, is drawn, as it would be, and as it was, in the times of Christ and his apostles, Zep 3:1,2 and of the principal persons of it in particular, its princes, judges, prophets, and priests, Zep 3:3,4. The hardness, impenitence, and shamelessness of this people, are exposed and aggravated by the just Lord being among them; who, by his example and doctrine, taught them otherwise; yet they were not amended or made ashamed, Zep 3:5 nor received instruction, nor took warning by the judgments of God on other nations, Zep 3:6,7 wherefore the followers of God are called upon to wait his time, who would gather many people together, and destroy the whole land of Judea, Zep 3:8 at which time he would send his Gospel among the Gentiles, who should thereby be brought to the true worship and service of God, Zep 3:9,10 though there should be a remnant among the Jews, according to the election of grace, that should be saved from that general calamity, Zep 3:11-13 and the spiritual Israel are encouraged with promises of better times, when the Jews in general should be converted and gathered into the church of God, have the presence and protection of God with them, and deliverance from all their enemies, and be a praise among all people of the earth, Zep 3:14-20.

Cross References 9

  • 1. Jeremiah 9:12; Zechariah 7:14; Matthew 23:38
  • 2. Leviticus 26:31; Isaiah 6:11
  • 3. Zephaniah 2:5
  • 4. Job 36:10; Psalms 32:8; 1 Timothy 1:5
  • 5. Jeremiah 7:7
  • 6. Hosea 9:9
  • 7. Psalms 27:14; Isaiah 30:18; Habakkuk 2:3
  • 8. Ezekiel 38:14-23; Joel 3:2
  • 9. Zephaniah 1:18
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