Zephaniah 3:18-20

18 "I will gather those who 1grieve about the appointed feasts - They came from you, O Zion; The reproach of exile is a burden on them.
19 "Behold, I am going to deal at that time With all your 2oppressors, I will save the 3lame And gather the outcast, And I will turn their 4shame into 5praise and renown In all the earth.
20 "At that time I will 6bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you 7renown and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I 8restore your fortunes before your eyes," Says the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:18-20 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 8

  • 1. Psalms 42:2-4; Ezekiel 9:4
  • 2. Isaiah 60:14
  • 3. Ezekiel 34:16; Micah 4:6
  • 4. Ezekiel 16:27, 57
  • 5. Isaiah 60:18; Isaiah 62:7; Zechariah 8:23
  • 6. Ezekiel 37:12, 21
  • 7. Deuteronomy 26:18, 19; Isaiah 56:5; Isaiah 66:22
  • 8. Jeremiah 29:14; Joel 3:1; Zephaniah 2:7

Footnotes 2

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