Jerusalem's Guilt, Purification, and Promised Restoration
Zephaniah 3:1-20
Zep.3.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הוי: INTJ
- מראה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונגאלה: CONJ+VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- היונה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Nahum 3:1 (verbal): Both begin with a prophetic 'Woe to the city...' and portray an urban center marked by violence, bloodshed and moral corruption.
- Isaiah 1:21 (thematic): Depicts a city once righteous now defiled and corrupt—parallel theme of a community that has become morally polluted and unfaithful.
- Micah 3:1-3 (thematic): Accuses city leaders and officials of oppression and exploitation of the people, echoing Zephaniah's charge against a rebellious, defiled urban community.
- Jeremiah 5:26-28 (thematic): Describes wicked men among the people who lie in wait, oppress and are filled with shame—resonates with the complaint about oppression and defilement in the city.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to the defiled and polluted city, the unfaithful town!
- Woe — a rebellious and defiled city!
Zep.3.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- שמעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- לקחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מוסר: NOUN,m,sg,const
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- בטחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- אלהיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- קרבה: ADJ,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:24 (verbal): ‘But they did not obey or incline their ear…’—language and action closely parallel Zephaniah’s ‘did not hear the voice’ and ‘did not accept instruction.’
- Proverbs 1:25 (verbal): ‘You ignored all my counsel’ (refusal of reproof) parallels ‘did not take instruction’—the motif of rejecting divine/wise correction.
- Psalm 78:22 (thematic): ‘They did not believe in God, nor trust in his salvation’ echoes Zephaniah’s charge that they ‘did not trust in the LORD.’
- Psalm 106:24 (thematic): ‘They did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance’—similar indictment of Israel’s failure to trust and draw near to God.
- Isaiah 30:1-2 (thematic): Rebellion and refusal of God’s counsel (seeking other help/trust elsewhere) parallels Zephaniah’s compound charge of not listening, not accepting instruction, and not trusting God.
Alternative generated candidates
- She has not obeyed the voice; she has not accepted discipline. She trusted not in the LORD, she drew not near to her God.
- She did not obey the voice; she did not accept discipline. She did not trust in the LORD; she did not draw near to her God.
Zep.3.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שריה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בקרבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- אריות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שאגים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- שפטיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זאבי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ערב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- גרמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לבקר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 22:27 (verbal): Leaders pictured as wolves tearing prey — princes as predatory animals and condemnation of corrupt officials (close verbal and thematic parallel).
- Micah 3:1-3 (verbal): Rulers and judges portrayed as violent, devouring like beasts and acting unjustly toward the people — similar imagery of leaders as lions/wolves who harm the people.
- Jeremiah 5:26-28 (thematic): Condemnation of wicked, self‑seeking leaders who lie in wait and fail to plead justice — parallels the motif of corrupt leaders preying on the people.
- Matthew 7:15 (allusion): Jesus warns of false prophets who come as sheep but are inwardly ravenous wolves — New Testament echo using wolf imagery to describe treacherous leaders/teachers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; her judges are ravenous wolves at evening—they leave nothing for the morning.
- Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are wolves at evening — they leave nothing for the morning.
Zep.3.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נביאיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs,pr,3ms
- פחזים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בגדות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כהניה: NOUN,m,pl,abs,pr,3ms
- חללו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חמסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- תורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 22:26 (verbal): Ezekiel charges the priests with violating God's law and profaning the sanctuary—language and accusation closely parallel Zephaniah's claim that priests 'profane the holy' and do violence to the Torah.
- Jeremiah 5:31 (verbal): Jeremiah condemns prophets who prophesy falsely and priests who govern by them—parallels Zephaniah's critique of reckless/treacherous prophets and corrupt priesthood.
- Micah 3:11-12 (thematic): Micah denounces leaders, priests, and prophets who exploit justice and corrupt worship; thematically echoes Zephaniah's charge of prophetic arrogance and priestly profanation.
- Malachi 2:7-9 (thematic): Malachi rebukes priests for failing to impart true knowledge and for profaning the covenant—parallel concern over priestly misconduct and violation of sacred duty.
- Hosea 4:6 (thematic): Hosea links the people's ruin to lack of knowledge and the failure of priests/prophets to teach the law, resonating with Zephaniah's condemnation of leaders who corrupt the Torah and sanctuary.
Alternative generated candidates
- Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.
- Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy and do violence to the law.
Zep.3.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקרבה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- בבקר: PREP
- משפטו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- לאור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- נעדר: VERB,nifal,perf,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- יודע: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- עול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Job 34:12 (verbal): Close verbal parallel: affirms that God 'will not do wickedly' and will not pervert justice, echoing Zephaniah’s claim that the LORD does no wrong.
- Deuteronomy 32:4 (thematic): Declares God’s work as perfect and without iniquity—the same theme of divine righteousness and faithfulness to justice found in Zephaniah.
- Psalm 9:8 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD judging the world in righteousness and administering justice—paralleling Zephaniah’s emphasis on God as righteous judge who executes justice.
- Psalm 37:6 (thematic): Imagery of God bringing forth righteousness/light on behalf of the righteous parallels Zephaniah’s 'morning by morning He brings His judgment to light'—the idea of justice revealed like light.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD is righteous within her; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he renders his judgment; each dawn his light does not fail—but the wicked know no shame.
- The LORD is righteous within her; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he brings forth his judgment; each day his justice appears — yet the wrongdoer knows no shame.
Zep.3.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הכרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נשמו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- פנותם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- החרבתי: VERB,hifil,perf,1,com,sg
- חוצותם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- מבלי: PREP
- עובר: VERB,qal,ptc,act,m,sg
- נצדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עריהם: NOUN,f,pl,poss:3mp
- מבלי: PREP
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מאין: ADV,interrog
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 24:3-4, 10-12 (thematic): Isaiah depicts the land and cities laid waste so that none inhabit them and streets/departments are desolate—parallel theme of divine judgment leaving towns empty and untraveled.
- Jeremiah 4:25-26 (verbal): Jeremiah pictures the land as void of people—'I looked, and there was no one'—echoing Zephaniah's emphasis on cities and streets without inhabitants.
- Ezekiel 26:20-21 (structural): Ezekiel pronounces a prophetic formula making a city a desolation and perpetual reproach; similar oracle-structure and outcome (cities made waste, no dwelling).
- Zephaniah 1:2-3 (thematic): An immediate parallel within the same book: an opening proclamation of utter consumption of the land and its people, anticipating the detailed images of ruined cities and empty streets in 3:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- I cut off nations; their face I destroyed; I laid waste their streets so that none pass by; their cities are desolate, without inhabitant—no one dwells there.
- I have cut off nations; I have made their strongholds a waste; I have laid their streets desolate so that no one passes by; their cities lie ruined, without inhabitant.
Zep.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אמרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- אך: PART
- תיראי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- אותי: PRON,1,sg,acc
- תקחי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- מוסר: NOUN,m,sg,const
- ולא: CONJ
- יכרת: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מעונה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- פקדתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- אכן: ADV
- השכימו: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,pl
- השחיתו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- עלילותם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:23-24 (verbal): God says he commanded obedience and instruction but the people did not 'hear' or 'incline their ear'—parallels Zephaniah’s expectation that they would fear and accept correction and the reality of refusal.
- Jeremiah 25:4-7 (thematic): God recounts sending prophets and seers to call Israel to turn, but they did not listen—similar motif of divine instruction offered and rejected, leading to judgment.
- Proverbs 1:23-29 (verbal): Wisdom invites people to 'turn' and 'receive instruction' (fear and correction); refusal brings calamity—close verbal and thematic resonance with Zephaniah’s appeal and the people’s corruption.
- Isaiah 1:2-4 (thematic): God accuses the people of rebellion and moral corruption despite covenantal instruction; like Zephaniah, the prophet contrasts the divine call to fear/return with persistent corruption of deeds.
- Psalm 78:34-37 (thematic): The psalm recounts God’s teaching and signs met by people’s hardness and repeated disobedience—echoing Zephaniah’s depiction of expected fear/instruction met by early corruption of their actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- I said, ‘Only fear me; accept discipline.’ But they refused; they would not remove their guilt. Of all whom I appointed over them I cut off; indeed they arose early and corrupted all their deeds.
- I said, 'If only they would fear me and accept my instruction, then my punishment of them would be removed' — but they arose early and corrupted all their deeds.
Zep.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- חכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ליום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קומי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- לעד: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- לאסף: VERB,qal,inf
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לקבצי: PREP+VERB,piel,inf
- ממלכות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- לשפך: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- זעמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1s.suf
- כל: DET
- חרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפי: NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
- כי: CONJ
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קנאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- תאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Joel 3:2 (verbal): Both announce God will 'gather' nations/kingdoms for judgment (Joel explicitly: 'I will gather all nations...'), echoing Zephaniah's language of assembling peoples for divine retribution.
- Isaiah 34:2 (thematic): Isaiah 34 speaks of 'the day of the Lord' as a day of vengeance when God pours out wrath on the nations and the earth is devastated—closely matching Zephaniah's theme of divine anger consuming the land.
- Nahum 1:2,6 (verbal): Nahum describes the Lord as 'jealous and avenging' whose wrath is like fire that consumes—paralleling Zephaniah's 'fire of my jealousy' and the image of consuming judgment.
- Obadiah 1:15 (thematic): Obadiah declares 'the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations' and announces recompense—reflecting Zephaniah's proclamation that God will judge the nations and pour out his indignation.
- Habakkuk 2:3 (structural): Habakkuk's exhortation to 'wait' because the vision will come at the appointed time echoes Zephaniah's opening command 'therefore wait for me,' both framing patient expectation for the coming divine action.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore wait for me, declares the LORD, for the day when I rise up to the prey—my decision is to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my fierce anger; for in the fire of my jealousy the whole earth shall be consumed.
- Therefore wait for me, declares the LORD, for the day of my rising up is at hand; for my decision to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, to pour out on them my indignation — all my burning anger. For in the fire of my jealousy the whole earth shall be consumed.
Zep.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אז: ADV
- אהפך: VERB,qal,impf,1,com,sg
- אל: NEG
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- שפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ברורה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- לקרא: VERB,qal,infc
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לעבדו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss:3
- שכם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
Parallels
- Joel 2:28-32 (quotation): Promise that God will pour out restoration and that ‘everyone who calls on the name of the LORD’ will be saved — closely echoes the language of nations calling on YHWH.
- Acts 2:1-21 (structural): Pentecost fulfillment where peoples of many nations hear in their own tongues and Peter cites Joel’s promise that all who call on the Lord will be saved — a New Testament enactment of the universal calling.
- Isaiah 19:21-25 (thematic): God is made known to Egypt and Assyria so they turn to and serve the LORD alongside Israel — parallels the inclusion of nations calling on YHWH and unified worship.
- Micah 4:2 (cf. Isaiah 2:2-4) (thematic): Many nations stream to the LORD’s instruction and walk in his ways, serving under one divine rule — similar theme of international unity in worship.
- Jeremiah 31:33-34 (thematic): God’s covenantal transformation whereby all will ‘know the LORD’ (from least to greatest) anticipates a communal turning to and service of YHWH across the peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- For then I will change the peoples to a pure speech, that all may call on the name of the LORD and serve him with one shoulder—one accord.
- For then I will turn to the peoples a pure speech, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD and serve him as one.
Zep.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מעבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנהרי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- כוש: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- עתרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- פוצי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יובלון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנחתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1ms
Parallels
- Isaiah 18:1-2 (verbal): Both passages name Cush (Ethiopia) and portray it as a distant land whose people/tribute are noticed by the God of Israel; Zephaniah's mention of offerings from beyond the rivers of Cush echoes Isaiah's focus on Cushite land and delegation/tribute motifs.
- Isaiah 45:14 (verbal): Isaiah depicts Cush, Put and Lubim bringing goods and acknowledging the LORD—paralleling Zephaniah's image of peoples from Cush bringing offerings and coming into relationship with God.
- Psalm 72:10-11 (thematic): The psalm pictures distant kings (Tarshish, Sheba, Seba) bringing gifts and bowing before the righteous king, a thematic parallel to foreign peoples bringing tribute/offering to the LORD in Zephaniah.
- Isaiah 11:11 (verbal): Isaiah lists distant regions including Cush among those from which the LORD will gather or act—mirroring Zephaniah's geographic reference to the rivers/of Cush and the inclusion of far-off peoples in God's restorative plan.
- Zechariah 8:22 (thematic): Zechariah predicts many peoples and powerful nations coming to seek the LORD and entreat him in Jerusalem; thematically similar to Zephaniah's vision of distant Cushites bringing offerings to the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- From beyond the rivers of Cush my supplicants, the daughter of my dispersed, will bring offerings.
- From beyond the rivers of Cush my petitioners— even the daughter of my dispersed—will bring me offerings.
Zep.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- תבושי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- מכל: PREP
- עלילתיך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- פשעת: VERB,qal,perf,2,f,sg
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אז: ADV
- אסיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- עליזי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:1s
- גאותך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- תוספי: VERB,qal,imf,2,f,sg
- לגבהה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- קדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
Parallels
- Isaiah 2:11-12 (verbal): Both passages use the 'in that day' motif and speak of the loftiness/haughtiness of people being brought low so that the LORD alone is exalted—directly paralleling Zephaniah's promise to remove the proud and end haughtiness on God's mountain.
- Obadiah 1:3-4 (thematic): Obadiah condemns Edom’s pride and promises its humiliation ('though you soar like the eagle... you will be brought down'), echoing Zephaniah’s theme that the proud will be removed from among God's people.
- Isaiah 13:11 (thematic): God announces punishment that will end the arrogance of the proud; this language of divine judgment against pride parallels Zephaniah’s sure removal of the exultant and the end of haughtiness.
- Micah 4:1-2 (structural): Micah's vision of the future 'mountain of the house of the LORD' as the locus of restoration and righteousness connects structurally to Zephaniah’s reference to 'my holy mountain' where haughtiness will cease and the people are restored.
Alternative generated candidates
- On that day you shall not be ashamed for all your deeds of which you have transgressed against me; for then I will remove from your midst the pride of your arrogance, and you shall no longer be haughty on my holy mountain.
- On that day you will not be put to shame for all your deeds of rebellion against me; for then I will remove from your midst the arrogant and proud, and you shall not be haughty again on my holy hill.
Zep.3.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והשארתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,_,sg
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prs:2ms
- עם: PREP
- עני: ADJ,m,sg
- ודל: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וחסו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 1:9 (verbal): Both verses speak of God leaving a surviving remnant among the people (Hebrew language of 'left'/'remnant'), paralleling Zephaniah’s promise to 'leave in your midst' a people preserved by Yahweh.
- Micah 4:6-7 (thematic): God gathers and preserves the afflicted/outsiders and transforms them into a remnant/nation—echoing Zephaniah’s image of a preserved poor/humble people set apart by the LORD.
- Joel 2:32 (thematic): Joel’s promise that 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved' parallels Zephaniah’s note that the humble remnant will 'trust in the name of the LORD'—both stress reliance on Yahweh's name for deliverance.
- Isaiah 41:17-18 (thematic): These verses describe the LORD’s help for the poor and needy (providing water and relief), connecting to Zephaniah’s focus on the vulnerable left in the midst who find refuge in Yahweh.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will leave in your midst a poor and humble people, and they shall take refuge in the name of the LORD.
- And I will leave within you a humble and lowly people; they shall take refuge in the name of the LORD.
Zep.3.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שארית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- ידברו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כזב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בפיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl+PRON,3,m,pl
- לשון: NOUN,f,sg,constr
- תרמית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ירעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ורבצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- מחריד: VERB,piel,ptc,0,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 32:18 (thematic): Both passages promise peaceful, secure habitation and quiet rest for God's people (Zeph.3:13 'feed and lie down... none shall make them afraid' ≈ Isa.32:18 'peaceful habitation... quiet resting places').
- Ezekiel 34:25-28 (thematic): God's covenant of peace and the shepherding motif in Ezekiel (feeding, safety, dwelling securely) parallels the remnant's provision, rest, and absence of terror in Zephaniah 3:13.
- Psalm 4:8 (verbal): The language of lying down and dwelling in safety ('I will both lie down and sleep; for thou, LORD, makest me dwell in safety') closely echoes Zephaniah's 'they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.'
- Proverbs 12:22 (verbal): Proverbs condemns lying lips and commends faithfulness ('Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD'), aligning with Zephaniah's statement that the remnant will not speak lies or have a deceitful tongue.
- Isaiah 10:20-22 (allusion): Isaiah's motif of a 'remnant of Israel' who turn back to the LORD and are preserved resonates with Zephaniah's identification of a faithful remnant characterized by truthfulness and security.
Alternative generated candidates
- The remnant of Israel shall do no wrong, and speak no deceit; no deceitful tongue shall be found in their mouths. For they will graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
- The remnant of Israel shall do no wrong and shall not speak lies; no deceitful tongue shall be found in their mouths — for they will graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Zep.3.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- רני: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- הריעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמחי: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ועלזי: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 12:6 (verbal): Both verses issue a public call to shout/cry aloud to the inhabitants of Zion/Israel, using similar imperative language of exultation.
- Joel 2:23 (verbal): Uses nearly identical exhortation — 'Be glad... children of Zion, and rejoice' — linking communal rejoicing in Zion after God's acts of restoration.
- Isaiah 52:9 (thematic): Invites Jerusalem to 'break forth into joy' and 'sing together' after divine consolation, echoing the communal celebration and praise in Zephaniah 3:14.
- Zephaniah 3:17 (structural): Within the same chapter God himself 'rejoices over you with gladness' and 'sings' over Jerusalem, complementing the human call to rejoice in 3:14.
- Psalm 147:12 (thematic): Addresses Zion/Jerusalem directly to praise the LORD, reflecting the vocative summons to communal joy and praise found in Zephaniah 3:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
- Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Zep.3.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הסיר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- משפטיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- פנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איבך: NOUN,m,sg,cs+2ms
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prs:2ms
- לא: PART_NEG
- תיראי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עוד: ADV
Parallels
- Zechariah 2:10-11 (structural): Both passages celebrate the Lord's coming to dwell in the midst of his people; God’s presence brings rejoicing and the inclusion/submission of the nations, paralleling Zephaniah’s promise that the Lord is in your midst.
- Zechariah 8:3 (verbal): Uses the same language of the Lord ‘dwelling in your midst’ and links God’s presence with restoration and security for Jerusalem, echoing Zephaniah’s assurance that the LORD is in the midst of Israel.
- Leviticus 26:11-12 (verbal): God’s promise to ‘dwell among you’ and be their God parallels Zephaniah’s declaration of the Lord’s presence within Israel as the basis for no longer fearing harm.
- Isaiah 41:10 (thematic): Both texts reassure Israel not to fear because God is with them; Isaiah’s ‘fear not, for I am with you’ expresses the same theological rationale for confidence found in Zephaniah 3:15.
- Joel 3:17 (verbal): Declares ‘you shall know that I am the LORD your God; I dwell in Zion,’ directly paralleling Zephaniah’s emphasis that the LORD is in the midst of Israel, with the consequence of security and the end of fear.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD has removed your judgments; he has turned away your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear evil no more.
- The LORD has removed your judgments; he has turned away your enemy. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.
Zep.3.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- יאמר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לירושלם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- תיראי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ירפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ידיך: NOUN,f,pl,cs,2ms
Parallels
- Zephaniah 3:14-17 (structural): Immediate context: a communal oracle of comfort to Jerusalem/Zion—this verse is part of the overarching summons not to fear and promise of God’s presence and restoration.
- Isaiah 41:10 (verbal): Same consolatory formula 'Fear not' (אַל־תִּירָא) and encouragement against dismay; both address God’s people with assurance of God’s presence and help.
- Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (thematic): Command to 'be strong and courageous' and 'do not fear or be dismayed' because the LORD goes with Israel—parallel exhortation against losing heart before enemies.
- Isaiah 35:4 (verbal): The messenger-style injunction 'Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, fear not”' echoes Zephaniah’s call to Zion not to be afraid and to take heart.
- Psalm 46:5 (thematic): Assurance that God dwells in the city so it 'will not be moved'—a comparable promise that Jerusalem/Zion need not fear because of divine presence and protection.
Alternative generated candidates
- On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Fear not, Zion; let not your hands be weak.’
- On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, 'Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.'
Zep.3.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prs:2ms
- גבור: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יושיע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ישיש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- בשמחה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יחריש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- באהבתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יגיל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- ברנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Zephaniah 3:15 (structural): Immediate context: announces the LORD in your midst and calls for no fear—prepares for the celebratory language of v.17 about God’s saving presence and joy.
- Isaiah 62:5 (allusion): Uses the marriage/celebration imagery of God rejoicing over Zion (as a bridegroom over the bride), paralleling Zephaniah’s depiction of God’s delight and exultation over his people.
- Zechariah 2:10 (thematic): Calls for singing and rejoicing because God has come to dwell among his people—echoes Zephaniah’s themes of God’s presence, joy, and exultant singing over Zion.
- Psalm 149:4-5 (thematic): Affirms that the LORD takes pleasure in his people and the faithful rejoice and sing for joy—parallels the language of God rejoicing over and singing for his people.
- Isaiah 54:7-10 (thematic): Speaks of God’s steadfast love, restoration, and covenantal peace (comfort/quieting after distress), corresponding to Zephaniah’s 'he will quiet you by his love.'
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD your God is in your midst; he is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with singing.
- The LORD your God is in your midst — a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will calm you by his love, he will exult over you with shouts of joy.
Zep.3.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נוגי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ממועד: PREP
- אספתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ממך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- משאת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- חרפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 61:3 (thematic): Promises consolation and a reversal of mourning — ‘to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning’ — paralleling Zephaniah’s gathering of those who mourn and removal of reproach.
- Psalm 147:2 (verbal): ‘The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel’ echoes Zephaniah’s language of gathering (אספתי) God’s scattered or shamed ones.
- Isaiah 40:11 (thematic): God pictured as a shepherd who ‘gathers the lambs in his arms’ — a complementary motif of divine gathering and care for the weak/shamed present in Zephaniah 3:18.
- Jeremiah 31:13 (thematic): ‘I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them’ closely parallels the promise to end mourning and remove shame, emphasizing restoration and consolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will gather those who mourn at the appointed feasts—those who have been a burden and a reproach to you I will assemble.
- I will gather those who mourn over the appointed feasts from you — those who have been a burden because of shame.
Zep.3.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- מעניך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- והושעתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,c,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הצלעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והנדחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אקבץ: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- ושמתים: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg,obj:3mp
- לתהלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולשם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בשתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 31:8-9 (verbal): Speaks of gathering those dispersed and bringing back the blind and the lame — closely parallels God’s promise to gather the outcast and save the lame.
- Isaiah 35:5-6 (thematic): Describes restoration and healing (eyes opened, lame leaping) echoing Zephaniah’s motif of rescuing and restoring the disabled.
- Isaiah 61:7 (verbal): Promises a reversal of shame into praise/joy and a restoration of honor, paralleling Zephaniah’s ‘shame into praise and renown.’
- Ezekiel 34:16 (verbal): God vows to seek the lost, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick — language and themes closely mirror ‘save the lame’ and ‘gather the outcast.’
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, I will deal with all your oppressors at that time; I will save the lame and gather the outcast; I will make them a praise and a renown in all the earth, when I restore their fortunes to them.
- Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors; I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will make them a praise and a name in all the earth where they were put to shame.
Zep.3.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- אביא: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- ובעת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קבצי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- לשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולתהלה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בשובי: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שבותיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:2,m,pl
- לעיניכם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,2mp
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezekiel 36:24-28 (verbal): God promises to gather the exiles from the nations and bring them into their land, restore them and give them a new heart/spirit—parallels the language of gathering, bringing back and divine restoration (and the idea of renewed honor).
- Joel 3:1-2 (verbal): Explicitly uses the phrase 'I will restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem' and speaks of a future time when God gathers and vindicates his people—close verbal and thematic parallel.
- Jeremiah 30:18-19 (thematic): God promises restoration and rebuilding of the people and their fortunes, bringing them back to prosperity and praise—echoes Zephaniah’s motif of return and honor among the nations.
- Deuteronomy 30:3-5 (allusion): Early promise that the LORD will restore the fortunes of his people, gather them from exile, and bring them back to the land—background covenantal promise underlying Zephaniah’s promise.
- Amos 9:14-15 (thematic): God vows to bring back the exiles, plant them in their land and establish them permanently—parallels the promise of bringing, restoring fortunes, and securing a future for the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time I will bring you in; at the time I gather you together—I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, declares the LORD.
- At that time I will bring you in; at the time I gather you together I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, declares the LORD.
Woe to the city that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!
She did not heed the voice; she did not accept instruction. In the LORD she had no trust; she did not draw near to her God.
Her princes within are roaring lions; her judges are wolves of the evening; they leave nothing till morning.
Her prophets are reckless, men of deceit; her priests profane the sanctuary; they violate the law.
The LORD is righteous within her—he does no wrong. Every morning he renders his verdict; every dawn he does not fail; yet the unjust know no shame.
I said, 'Surely they will fear me; they will accept instruction'—but they turned away. I laid waste their thoroughfares; their streets are desolate; no one passes through; their cities lie deserted—no one dwells there.
I said, 'If only they would fear me and accept correction—then I would not execute the punishment I had decreed for them.' But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.
Therefore wait for me, declares the LORD, for the day of my rising up is near. For my purpose is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out on them my indignation—all my blazing anger; for in the fire of my jealousy the whole earth shall be consumed.
For then I will turn to the peoples a pure speech, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.
From beyond the rivers of Cush my supplicants will bring offerings—the daughter of my dispersed people.
On that day you shall not be put to shame for all the deeds by which you rebelled against me. For then I will remove from your midst the proud boasters, and you shall never again be haughty on my holy hill. And I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly, and they shall take refuge in the name of the LORD.
The remnant of Israel shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue, for they will graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion; sing aloud, O Israel; rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
The LORD has taken away your judgments; he has turned away your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, 'Do not fear; O Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.'
The LORD your God is in your midst; he is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with singing.
I will gather the mourners at the appointed feasts—those who were a burden of shame—and you shall no longer be disgraced.
Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors; I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will make them a praise and a name in all the earth, when I restore their fortunes before their eyes, declares the LORD.
At that time I will bring you in; at the time I gather you I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, declares the LORD.