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ZEPHANIAH 3

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

I must admit that my theological bias shows brightly in Zephaniah 2-3. I view all texts through the Great Commission (i.e., Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8). It is difficult to know if these chapters are using universal themes as hyperbole or emphasizing God's universal redemption.

It is quite possible that this context refers only to repentant, restored Israel/Judah. But there are so many OT texts about God's love for all humans that I consciously err on this side of universal hope. I believe in a universal offer but a divine mandate for repentance and faith for inclusion. I do not believe in universalism, but I do believe in a universal offer! Oh, how I love John 1:12; 3:16; 4:42; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:1; 4:14!

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 3:1-7
  ¹Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,
 The tyrannical city!
 ²She heeded no voice,
 She accepted no instruction.
 She did not trust in the Lord,
 She did not draw near to her God.
 ³Her princes within her are roaring lions,
 Her judges are wolves at evening;
 They leave nothing for the morning.
 ⁴Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men;
 Her priests have profaned the sanctuary.
 They have done violence to the law.
 ⁵The Lord is righteous within her;
 He will do no injustice.
 Every morning He brings His justice to light;
 He does not fail.
 But the unjust knows no shame.
 ⁶"I have cut off nations;
 Their corner towers are in ruins.
 I have made their streets desolate,
 With no one passing by;
 Their cities are laid waste,
 Without a man, without an inhabitant.
 ⁷I said, 'Surely you will revere Me,
 Accept instruction.'
 So her dwelling will not be cut off
 According to all that I have appointed concerning her.
 But they were eager to corrupt all their deeds."

3:1 "Woe" This INTERJECTION referred to Nineveh in Nah. 3:4 (cf. Zeph. 2:12-13) but here, shockingly, to Jerusalem (specifically stated in Zeph. 3:14). This literary technique of mentioning God's judgment on other nations first (cf. Amos 1:3-2:16) and then on His own people (cf Amos 3:1-6:13) is clearly seen in Amos.

Notice how she is characterized in Zeph. 3:2-5,5e,7e; Hab. 1:3-4.

1. rebellious, Zeph. 3:1a ‒ BDB 598, KB 632, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, cf. Jer. 4:17; 5:23; 6:28
2. defiled, Zeph. 3:1a ‒ BDB 146 II, KB 169, Niphal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, cf. Ezek. 23:30
3. the tyrannical city, Zeph. 3:1b ‒ BDB 413, KB 416, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, literally"oppressing," cf. Jer. 6:6; 22:17
4. heeded no voice, Zeph. 3:2a ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal PERFECT, cf. Jer. 7:23-28
5. accepted no instruction, Zeph. 3:2b ‒ BDB 542, KB 534, Qal PERFECT, cf. Jer. 2:30; 5:3; 32:33; 35:13
6. did not trust in the Lord, Zeph. 3:2c ‒ BDB 105, KB 120, Qal PERFECT; for the positive usage of the VERB see 2 Kgs. 18:5; 19:10; 1 Chr. 5:20; Isa. 26:3-4; Jer. 17:7
7. did not draw near to her God, Zeph. 3:2d ‒ BDB 897, KB 1132, Qal PERFECT, this denotes worship, cf. 1 Sam. 14:36; Isa. 48:16; Ezek. 44:15
8. her leaders (all corrupt)
   1. her princes are roaring lions
   2. her judges are wolves at evening, cf. Ezek. 22:27
   3. her prophets are reckless and treacherous, cf. Jer. 23:32
   4. her priests have profaned the temple and done violence to the law, cf. Jer. 2:8; Ezek. 22:26
9. knows no shame, Zeph. 3:5e, cf. Isa. 42:17; Jer. 2:26; 3:25
10. eager to corrupt (two Hiphil PERFECTS) all their deeds, Zeph. 3:7e ‒ a person's repeated choices and actions reveal the heart

Oh my, what a terrible list of the characteristics of YHWH's people!

Notice numbers 4-7 are all NEGATED PERFECTS, which denotes a settled attitude of defiance.

SPECIAL TOPIC: LIONS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME

The MT has "rebellious" (המר, BDB 598, KB 632, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). But as you can see, several English translations see it as coming from מראה, KB 630 I (NET Bible). This second option (NRSV, JPSOA, REB) fits the parallelism best (cf. Nah. 3:6).

The UBS Text Project, p. 380, suggests that "rebellious" (BDB 598) is a play on the word "Moriah" (BDB 599), which is another name for Jerusalem.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM

3:2 "She" The feminine form of the NEGATED VERB reflects the Holy City of YHWH as a fallen, disobedient, and idolatrous woman (cf. Ezekiel 8; 21; 23).

3:3-4 The leadership of God's people were often condemned by the prophets for their greedy, godless exercise of power (cf. Isa. 56:9-12; Jer. 5:30-31; 6:13-14; 8:8-12; 14:13-18; 22:1-30; 23:1-40; 26:12-15; 28:1-17; 36:30-31; Ezek. 13:1-23; 22:23-31; Micah 3:1-12; 7:3). As the leadership goes, so go the people!

3:5 Notice how the Lord (i.e., YHWH) characterizes His future relationship with Jerusalem.

1. He is righteousness within her.
2. He will do no injustice.
3. Every morning He bring His justice to light.
4. He does not fail.

The "New Jerusalem" will reflect His character (cf. Revelation 21-22; the new abode of the redeemed people of God, Jew and Gentile (cf. Eph. 2:11-3:13); the promise of Gen. 3:15 is fulfilled at last).

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT)

▣ "But the unjust knows no shame" This must refer to Zeph. 3:2-4. It seems out of place in 3:5, as does 3:7e.

3:6 Because Jerusalem has "no shame" (Zeph. 3:5), YHWH will bring judgment (3:6) on a universal scale (cf. Zeph. 1:2-18).

The purpose of this judgment (cf. Zeph. 1:2-6,7-13,14-18) is a universal redemption brought about by Israel's Judean Messiah (Zeph. 3:7d).

SPECIAL TOPIC: CITIES (the two cities in Isaiah)

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 3:8-11
  ⁸"Therefore wait for Me," declares the Lord
 "For the day when I rise up as a witness.
 Indeed, My decision is to gather nations,
 To assemble kingdoms,
 To pour out on them My indignation,
 All My burning anger;
 For all the earth will be devoured
 By the fire of My zeal.
 ⁹For then I will give to the peoples purified lips,
 That all of them may call on the name of the Lord
 To serve Him shoulder to shoulder.
 ¹⁰From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
 My worshipers, My dispersed ones,
 Will bring My offerings.
 ¹¹In that day you will feel no shame
 Because of all your deeds
 By which you have rebelled against Me;
 For then I will remove from your midst
 Your proud, exulting ones,
 And you will never again be haughty
 On My holy mountain."

3:7 His judgment is for a redemptive purpose (Zeph. 3:7).

1. surely you (FEMININE, i.e., Jerusalem) will revere Me, cf. Zeph. 3:9-10 (opposite of 3:2)
2. surely you (FEMININE, i.e., Jerusalem) will accept instruction (opposite of 3:2)
3. surely you (FEMININE) will be secure
4. surely His purposes in "her" (Jerusalem) will be fulfilled

There is coming a new day of fellowship with God. His people, all people, will return to Him. This was the purpose/goal of creation!

SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO OT COVENANT PROMISES SEEM SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES?

3:8 It is interesting to note that Zeph. 3:8 is the only verse in the Hebrew Bible that contains all twenty-two Hebrew consonants. (Now you are ready for Bible trivia!)

▣ "You" This is MASCULINE, possibly the faithful survivors of Zeph. 2:10 (i.e., "remnant").

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES

▣ "wait for Me" This is a Piel IMPERATIVE (BDB 314, KB 313, cf. Hab. 2:3). It is an idiom for trusting (i.e., "endure, expect, hope," NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 129-130) God to act in an appropriate way at an appropriate time. God will set everything right in His own time and in His own way. His ways are not always clear to fallen humans (cf. Isa. 55:9-11).

"Waiting" for God is an act of faith in His word (cf. Isa. 8:17; 25:9; 30:18; 64:4; Hab. 2:3).

The NASB Study Bible footnote sees this as a sarcastic statement, affirming Judah's unwillingness to repent, p. 1324 (also Tyndale OT Commentaries, p. 114).

▣ "the day" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THAT DAY and SPECIAL TOPIC: DAY OF THE LORD (NT).

The MT has דע (BDB 729), which can be pointed (i.e., vowel points) as

1. plunder
2. witness
3. forever (PREPOSITION plus root)

The UBS Text Project, p. 382, gives option 1 a "C" rating (considerable doubt).

▣ "All My burning anger. . .the fire of My zeal" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE.

▣ "My decision is to gather nations" Notice the series of INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS

1. to the prey ‒ the JPSOA emends this to "when I arise as an accuser"
2. to gather, cf. Ezek. 22:19,20
3. to assemble
4. to pour out

All speak of YHWH's judgment at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way.

▣ Notice the number of PRONOUNS in English denoting YHWH's personal action.

1. wait for Me
2. I rise up
3. My decision
4. My indignation
5. My burning anger
6. My zeal (see NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 937-939)

This Divine activity has a redemptive purpose (cf. Zeph. 3:9; 2:11).

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

3:9-10 These verses speak of a universal worship of YHWH (while Zeph. 3:11-13 refers to His covenant people, see Contextual Insights).

He gives to the peoples purified lips, i.e., examples

1. Egypt ‒ Isa. 19:18
2. "those far away" ‒ Isa. 57:19
3. "among all the wise men of the nations" ‒ Jer. 10:6-7
4. "among the nations" ‒ Mal. 1:11

If YHWH is the one, true, creator, then He must also be the one, true redeemer! A universal God demands universal worship. Israel was a means to an end (i.e., the gospel is for all humans, Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8)!

Notice it is God who must "give" (lit. "change"). This is "the new covenant" of Jer. 31:31-34 (cf. Ezek. 36:22-38) based on God's actions and not human performance (i.e., Mosaic Covenant, cf. Leviticus 26: Deuteronomy 28-30). But remember, He acts on our behalf so that we can be holy (cf. Matt. 5:48).

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: SANCTIFICATION

The MT has the VERB (BDB 245, KB 253, Qal IMPERFECT), which basically means "to turn" or "to overturn." KB suggests "restore." Notice the two theological questions.

1. YHWH takes the initiative (FIRST PERSON SINGULAR); this is in line with Jer. 31:31-34 (i.e., the new covenant, cf. Ezek. 36:22-36), but is there a mandated human response?
2. Does YHWH "purge" pagan speech (i.e., the nations) or "restore" (i.e., His covenant people); see my bias at Contextual Insights.

▣ "all of them may call on the name of the Lord" This terminology implies an altar, a sacrifice, and the presence of the Lord. This is not just the speaking of a name (cf. Matt. 7:21-23) but an act of worship from the heart (cf. Deut. 10:16).

SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON THE NAME (Isa. 12:4)

SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE NAME OF THE LORD (NT)

▣ "To serve Him shoulder to shoulder" This is a Hebrew idiom for unity (i.e., one burden, two carriers).

3:10 Some see this as referring only to dispersed, exiled Israel and Judah (cf. Zeph. 3:11-13) but the context of universal judgment (i.e., Zeph. 1:2-3,18; 2:3b,11) implies a universal opportunity for inclusion (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 12:4-5; 25:6-9; 42:6-12; 45:22-23; 49:5-6; 51:4-5; 56:6-8; 60:1-3; 66:23; Mic. 4:1-4; Mal. 1:11).

There are three texts in Isaiah that speak specifically of the conversion of Ethiopia/Egypt ‒ Isa. 18:7; 19:18-25; 45:14.

The JPSOA translates this line as no standard English translation.

"Shall bring offerings to Me in Fair Puzai"

The Jewish Study Bible offers three suggestions (p. 1241).

1. "Fair scattered (i.e., Israel in exile), shall bring my offerings"
2. "Fair Puzai (i.e., a faraway nation) shall bring my offering" (so too, AB, pp. 126, 135)
3. "Fair scattered (i.e., Israel in exile), they (i.e., the nations) shall bring as my offering" (cf. Isa. 66:20)

3:11 "you" This is FEMININE SINGULAR and refers to Jerusalem (cf. Zeph. 3:2).

▣ YHWH will remove the wicked people from His people.

1. the ones who rebel
2. the proud ones
3. the exulting ones
4. the haughty ones (see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 797-799)

It is hard for modern western people to acknowledge that sin and rebellion against God results in death and separation. The right and dignity of the individual in western thought has eclipsed the biblical view of God's righteous judgment. Some humans are going to die!

A helpful book on this is John W. Wenham, The Goodness of God.

▣ "from your midst" There is a play on this word (BDB 899) in Zephaniah 3.

1. Zeph. 3:1 ‒ Judah's corrupt leaders are in her midst
2. Zeph. 3:5 ‒ YHWH is in her midst
3. Zeph. 3:11 ‒ YHWH removes "the proud, exulting, haughty ones" from their midst
4. Zeph. 3:12 ‒ YHWH leaves a humble lowly people in His midst
5. Zeph. 3:15 ‒ YHWH, the King of Israel, is in her midst!

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 3:12-13
  ¹²"But I will leave among you
 A humble and lowly people,
 And they will take refuge in the name of the Lord
 ¹³The remnant of Israel will do no wrong
 And tell no lies,
 Nor will a deceitful tongue
 Be found in their mouths;
 For they will feed and lie down
 With no one to make them tremble."

3:12-13 The people of YHWH will be characterized as

1. humble (in a spiritual sense, cf. Zeph. 2:3)
2. lowly
3. those who take refuge in the name of the Lord
4. do no wrong
5. tell no lies, cf. Zech. 8:3,16
6. have no deceitful tongue

God is their shepherd (i.e., Zeph. 3:13e,f). This is the result of the repentance of Zeph. 2:3. They are now secure in their land (i.e., "no one to make them tremble or be afraid," cf. Jer. 30:10; 46:27; Ezek. 34:28; 39:26; Mic. 4:4)!

SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE (OT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE IN THE OT

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 3:14-20
  ¹⁴Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion!
 Shout in triumph, O Israel!
 Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
 O daughter of Jerusalem!
 ¹⁵The Lord has taken away His judgments against you,
 He has cleared away your enemies.
 The King of Israel, the Lord is in your midst;
 You will fear disaster no more.
 ¹⁶In that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
 "Do not be afraid, O Zion;
 Do not let your hands fall limp.
 ¹⁷The Lord your God is in your midst,
 A victorious warrior.
 He will exult over you with joy,
 He will be quiet in His love,
 He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
 ¹⁸I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts—
 They came from you, O Zion;
 The reproach of exile is a burden on them.
 ¹⁹Behold, I am going to deal at that time
 With all your oppressors,
 I will save the lame
 And gather the outcast,
 And I will turn their shame into praise and renown
 In all the earth.
 ²⁰At that time I will bring you in,
 Even at the time when I gather you together;
 Indeed, I will give you renown and praise
 Among all the peoples of the earth,
 When I restore your fortunes before your eyes,"
 Says the Lord

3:14 There is a series of IMPERATIVES.

1. shout for joy ‒ BDB 943, KB 1247, Qal
2. shout in triumph ‒ BDB 929, KB 1206, Hiphil
3. rejoice ‒ BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal
4. exult with all your heart ‒ BDB 759, KB 831, Qal

Notice "Zion," "Israel" and "daughter of Jerusalem" are parallel.

The strophe, Zeph. 3:14-20, is a psalm of joy. It is a contrast to the universal judgment of the rest of the book. The judgment of "that day" will bring about "a new day" (cf. Zeph. 3:9-10)!

SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION

SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME)

3:15 The first two VERBS, "taken away" and "cleared away" are both FIRST PERSON PERFECTS. They refer to future actions of YHWH that have not yet happened, but the assurance that they will caused the author to state them as completed acts (i.e., PROPHETIC PERFECT; note Isa. 55:9-11).

▣ "The King of Israel, the Lord" YHWH is the true King of His covenant people; the earthly king was merely His representative (cf. 1 Sam. 8:5-7). The rabbis call Him "the King of the Universe"!

Notice the two names for God that appear in Zeph. 3:17.

1. The Lord (YHWH) your God (Elohim)
2. A victorious warrior ‒ this is Holy War terminology for YHWH as the Divine Warrior, cf. Exod. 15:3; Deut. 1:30; Jos. 5:13-15; 1 Chr. 20:29; Ps. 24:8; Isa. 42:13; 59:17. The title "Lord of Hosts" reflects this same imagery.

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. and D.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS

▣ "is in your midst" This is the greatest promise (see note at Zeph. 3:11)! YHWH was with Moses. YHWH was in the midst of Israel. This Divine-human fellowship is the purpose of creation (cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 3:8). Humans were created for fellowship. Sin has separated us from our Creator. God's promises in Isaiah 7; 9; and 11 is that One is coming Who is "Emmanuel" (i.e., God with us).

The Bible starts with God and mankind in fellowship in a garden (i.e., Genesis 1-2) and the Bible ends with God and mankind in fellowship in a garden (Revelation 21-22).

His people will not need an earthly king because the Divine King is with them! One wonders how this relates to 1 Cor. 15:25-28.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL

3:16 This verse has two IMPERFECTS that function as JUSSIVES.

1. do not be afraid ‒ BDB 431, KB 432
2. do not let our hands fall limp ‒ BDB 951, KB 1276

The lack of "fear" shows their faith in YHWH's word and presence.

SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR

3:17 This verse repeats the great promise of Zeph. 3:15 ("in your midst"; see full note at Zeph. 3:11) and expresses God's joy (cf. Isa. 65:19) at the renewal of fellowship with His human creation.

1. He will exult over you with joy (cf. Deut. 30:9; Isa. 62:5; 65:19; Jer. 32:41).
2. He will renew you in His love (following the LXX, Peshitta; the MT has "be silent"; the difference is the Hebrew "r" and "d" confusion).
3. He will rejoice over you with shout of joy.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE

▣ "A victorious warrior" See note at Zeph. 3:15.

3:18-20 This verse is uncertain in Hebrew (see JPSOA's footnote) but seems to address the exiled people of God who, one day, will be able to attend the feast days (cf. Exodus 23; Leviticus 23) in Jerusalem, in the temple again!

These verses seem to address restored, repentant Israel/Judah. The Gentiles (cf. Zeph. 3:20) will recognize YHWH as Israel's God. They will praise Him (cf. Jer. 3:17,19; 4:2; 16:19; 33:9). He has a universal redemptive purpose in her!

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Who is "the rebellious" city of Zeph. 3:1?
2. List the reasons why she is called rebellious.
3. How is Zeph. 3:7 so different from 3:1-6?
4. What does the VERB "wait" mean?
5. For what two purposes will YHWH gather the nations?
6. How is Zeph. 3:8 like Zephaniah, chapter 1?
7. Why is Zeph. 3:9-10 so theologically significant?
8. Does Zeph. 3:15 speak of a Messianic reign (i.e., 1,000 years) or an eternal reign (cf. Dan. 7:13)?

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