Zephaniah 3:9-20

Restoration of Israel’s Remnant

9 “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORDand serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush[a] my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.
11 On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.
12 But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the LORD.
13 They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.”
14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
18 “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.
19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame.
20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes[b]before your very eyes,” says the LORD..

Images for Zephaniah 3:9-20

Zephaniah 3:9-20 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 35

  • 1. S Zephaniah 2:11
  • 2. S Genesis 4:26
  • 3. S Isaiah 19:18
  • 4. S Genesis 10:6; S Psalms 68:31
  • 5. S 2 Chronicles 32:23; S Isaiah 60:7
  • 6. S Isaiah 29:22; S Joel 2:26-27
  • 7. S Genesis 50:15
  • 8. S Psalms 59:12
  • 9. S Exodus 15:17; S Leviticus 26:19
  • 10. Isaiah 14:32
  • 11. S Jeremiah 29:12; Nahum 1:7
  • 12. S Isaiah 10:21; Micah 4:7
  • 13. Psalms 119:3; S Isaiah 4:3
  • 14. S Jeremiah 33:16; Revelation 14:5
  • 15. S Job 16:17
  • 16. Ezekiel 34:15; Zephaniah 2:7
  • 17. S Leviticus 26:6; S Ezekiel 34:25-28
  • 18. S Psalms 9:14; Zechariah 2:10
  • 19. S Psalms 95:1; Isaiah 12:6; Zechariah 2:10
  • 20. S Psalms 9:2; S Isaiah 51:11
  • 21. Ezekiel 37:26-28
  • 22. S Isaiah 54:14
  • 23. Zechariah 9:9
  • 24. S 2 Kings 19:26; S Job 4:3; Isaiah 35:3-4; Hebrews 12:12
  • 25. S Isaiah 63:1; S Joel 2:21
  • 26. S Deuteronomy 28:63; S Isaiah 62:4
  • 27. S Hosea 14:4
  • 28. S Isaiah 40:1
  • 29. S Isaiah 14:2
  • 30. S Ezekiel 34:16; S Micah 4:6
  • 31. Isaiah 60:18
  • 32. S Jeremiah 29:14; S Ezekiel 37:12
  • 33. Isaiah 56:5; Isaiah 66:22
  • 34. S Deuteronomy 26:19; S Isaiah 60:18
  • 35. S Joel 3:1

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, the upper Nile region
  • [b]. Or "I bring back your captives"
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