Zephaniah 3:10 kjv
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
Zephaniah 3:10 nkjv
From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones, Shall bring My offering.
Zephaniah 3:10 niv
From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.
Zephaniah 3:10 esv
From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offering.
Zephaniah 3:10 nlt
My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia
will come to present their offerings.
Zephaniah 3 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 11:12 | Scattered tribes of Israel will return. | Echoes the return of exiles. |
| Isa 43:5-6 | God gathers Israel from distant lands. | Theme of divine gathering. |
| Isa 49:22 | Nations will carry exiled children. | Fulfillment of gathering. |
| Isa 56:7 | God's house a house of prayer for all nations. | Universal worship. |
| Jer 3:17 | Jerusalem as the throne of God for all nations. | Future divine center. |
| Ezek 34:13 | God will bring His sheep from among the nations. | Shepherd gathering scattered. |
| Ezek 37:21-22 | Re-uniting of scattered Israelites. | National restoration. |
| John 10:16 | One flock, one shepherd. | Spiritual unity. |
| Acts 10:34-35 | God shows no favoritism; accepts anyone who fears Him. | Inclusivity of gospel. |
| Acts 11:18 | Gentiles also granted repentance that leads to life. | Gospel to the nations. |
| Rom 1:5 | Obedience of faith among all nations. | Universal faith. |
| Rom 15:10-11 | Nations rejoice with God's people. | Gentile participation. |
| Gal 3:28 | No longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, but one in Christ. | Unity in Christ. |
| Rev 5:9-10 | Redeemed from every tribe, language, people, and nation. | Universal redemption. |
| Rev 7:9-10 | A great multitude from all nations worshipping God. | Ultimate fulfillment of worship. |
| Ps 67:2-4 | That Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among nations. | Universal salvation desired. |
| Mal 1:11 | Pure offering from east to west. | Pure worship from afar. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | People from many cities will go to seek the Lord. | Future national pilgrimage. |
| Luke 2:10-11 | Good news of great joy for all people. | Universal salvation proclaimed. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | Spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. | New covenant sacrifices. |
| Eph 2:14-16 | Christ broke down dividing wall. | Unity through Christ. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Every knee bow and tongue confess Jesus is Lord. | Universal submission. |
Zephaniah 3 verses
Zephaniah 3 10 Meaning
Zephaniah 3:10 speaks of a future restoration where scattered exiles from distant lands will worship God together. It promises that those who once offended God through their worship of idols will be transformed and now offer pure worship, specifically mentioning sacrifices. This verse is a powerful picture of global evangelism and unified praise flowing from a purified people.
Zephaniah 3 10 Context
Zephaniah's prophecy primarily addresses the impending judgment of Judah and surrounding nations due to their wickedness and idolatry. However, like many prophetic books, it contains a thread of hope for a future restoration. Chapter 3 begins with a lament over Jerusalem's corruption and pronounces judgment on various nations. Verse 10 then pivots, looking beyond the immediate judgment to a time when God will restore His people and extend His grace to the nations, resulting in a global worship experience. This vision anticipates the coming Messiah and the universal reach of the gospel. The historical context involves a period of spiritual decline and foreign oppression in ancient Judah, making the promise of a new beginning particularly poignant.
Zephaniah 3 10 Word Analysis
- מִן־ (min): "from." Indicates origin or separation.
- בְּנוֹת (benot): "daughters." Plural feminine noun for daughters.
- עֲבָדַי (avadaí): "my servants." First-person possessive. Implies those who belong to and serve God.
- יָשׂוּבוּ (yasuvu): "they shall return." Third-person masculine plural perfect verb from שׁוּב (shuv). Suggests a restoration from a state of dispersion or exile.
- לִי (li): "to me." First-person pronoun.
- מִנְחַת (minchat): "offering." Feminine noun. Typically refers to a grain offering.
- שְׂעִירֵי (s'irei): "my young goats" or "my offerings of goats." Masculine plural noun with first-person possessive. The use of "goats" as an offering is significant.
- אֱלֹהַי (eloaháy): "my God." First-person possessive. A unique form of El.
- וְחִמַּדְתִּי (v’chimmdati): "and I will delight in" or "and I will accept." First-person feminine singular perfect verb from חָמַד (chamad). Signifies divine pleasure and acceptance.
- אוֹתָם (otam): "them." Third-person masculine plural pronoun. Refers to the dispersed people.
- אֶל־ (el): "unto" or "to." Preposition indicating direction.
- הַר־ (har): "mountain." Masculine noun. Refers to Mount Zion.
- קָדְשִׁי (qodshi): "my holy [mountain]." First-person possessive adjective modifying mountain.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "daughters of my dispersed ones shall return to me": This phrase highlights a divine reclamation of those who have been scattered. "Daughters" here can be understood in a metonymic sense for the entire people. The return is to God directly, signifying reconciliation.
- "and an offering of my young goats": The "offering of my young goats" refers to acceptable sacrifices presented to God. This is a replacement for the unaccepted, idol-related sacrifices they might have offered while in exile or due to their unfaithfulness.
- "and I will delight in them": This signifies divine approval and pleasure. God’s delight is on the returning exiles and their purified worship.
- "unto my holy mountain": This refers specifically to Mount Zion, the place of God's dwelling and worship. The restoration involves them coming to God's designated place of worship.
Zephaniah 3 10 Bonus Section
The prophecy in Zephaniah 3:10 is particularly powerful when understood as a foreshadowing of the inclusiveness of God’s plan of salvation. The concept of "daughters of my dispersed ones" returning, along with the subsequent acceptance of "offerings of young goats," can be seen as pointing to the New Testament inclusion of Gentiles into God’s people. The transition from physical sacrifices in the Old Covenant to spiritual worship offered through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5) finds resonance here, where God desires a transformed heart and genuine worship from His people, regardless of their geographic or ethnic origin. The "holy mountain" also expands its meaning in the New Covenant to include the gathering of all believers in Christ.
Zephaniah 3 10 Commentary
This verse paints a hopeful picture of God’s redemptive work. It signifies a time when those scattered by judgment will be brought back into covenant relationship with God. Their return is marked by the presentation of acceptable offerings, signifying purified worship free from idolatry. God’s delight in these returning people underscores His faithfulness to His promises and His desire to restore fellowship. This passage looks forward to a universal gathering of God's people to worship Him on His holy mountain, a concept fulfilled in Christ and the gathering of believers from all nations into the church, the new spiritual temple. It represents a profound shift from judgment to salvation, from dispersion to unity, and from unacceptability to divine delight.