Zephaniah 1:6

6 and which be turned away behind the back of the Lord, and which sought not the Lord, neither ensearched him. (and those who be turned away behind the back of the Lord, and those who did not seek the Lord, nor consulted him.)

Zephaniah 1:6 Meaning and Commentary

Zephaniah 1:6

And them that are turned back from the Lord
Who once were worshippers of him, but now become apostates, and had turned their backs on him and his worship. Some think this describes those who renewed their covenant with God in Josiah's time, and after that revolted from him, who must be very abominable to him; and therefore he threatens to stretch out his hand, and pour out his wrath upon them: and [those] that have not sought the Lord, nor inquired for him;
profane abandoned sinners, that lived without God in the world, and as if there was no God; never concerned themselves about the worship of him, having no faith in him, love to him, or fear and reverence of him; so far were they from seeking him in the first place diligently, zealously, and with their whole heart, that they never sought him at all; nor took any pains to get any knowledge of him, or of his mind and will, and manner of worship; but were altogether careless about these things, and unconcerned for them.

Zephaniah 1:6 In-Context

4 And I shall stretch out mine hand on Judah, and on all the dwellers of Jerusalem; and I shall lose from this place the remnants of Baal, and the names of keepers of [the] houses, with [the] priests; (And I shall stretch out my hand over Judah, and over all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I shall destroy from this place the last remnants of Baal, and the very names of the heathen priests;)
5 and them that worship on roofs the knighthood of heaven, and worship, and swear in the Lord, and swear in Malcham; (and those who worship upon rooftops the host of the heavens, and who worship, and swear by the Lord, and then also swear by Molech, or by Milcom;)
6 and which be turned away behind the back of the Lord, and which sought not the Lord, neither ensearched him. (and those who be turned away behind the back of the Lord, and those who did not seek the Lord, nor consulted him.)
7 Be ye still from the face of the Lord God, for nigh is the day of the Lord; for the Lord made ready a sacrifice, he hallowed his called men. (Be ye still before the face of the Lord God, for the day of the Lord is near; for the Lord hath made ready a sacrifice, and he hath consecrated, or hath dedicated, his chosen people.)
8 And it shall be, in the day of sacrifice of the Lord, I shall visit on princes, and on sons of the king, and on all that be clothed with pilgrims?, either strange, clothing. (And it shall be, on the day of the sacrifice of the Lord, I shall punish the leaders, and the king's sons, and all those who be clothed in foreign, or in strange, clothing.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.