Zephaniah 3:12 kjv
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:12 nkjv
I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:12 niv
But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:12 esv
But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD,
Zephaniah 3:12 nlt
Those who are left will be the lowly and humble,
for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD.
Zephaniah 3 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zephaniah 3:12 | "I will leave among you a remnant, the humble and lowly, who will trust in the Lord." | 11 (Continuation of the theme of remnant) |
| Matthew 5:3 | "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | (Fulfillment in Beatitudes, esp. meekness) |
| Luke 18:14 | "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." | (Exalts humility and its divine reward) |
| Romans 11:5 | "So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace." | (Echoes concept of a chosen remnant by grace) |
| Isaiah 66:2 | "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." | (Description of a righteous, humble person) |
| Micah 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | (Connects humility with right action) |
| Psalm 34:18 | "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." | (Lord's proximity to the humble) |
| Psalm 37:11 | "The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace." | (Meek inheriting land and peace) |
| Isaiah 14:32 | "What shall one answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord has founded Zion, that in her the poor of his people will trust." | (Zion's foundation for the poor to trust in) |
| Jeremiah 23:3 | "I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries to which I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their folds, and they shall be fruitful and multiply." | (God's gathering of a fruitful remnant) |
| Ezekiel 34:11-16 | (God seeking and restoring scattered sheep, caring for the flock) | (Shepherding language for the remnant) |
| Acts 3:21 | "whom heaven must receive until the time for the restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago." | (Restoration of all things and prophetic words) |
| Philippians 4:4-7 | (Rejoicing in the Lord, peace guarding hearts) | (Peace that surpasses understanding) |
| Romans 8:1 | "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." | (No condemnation for those in Christ) |
| 1 Corinthians 1:27 | "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, but God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." | (God choosing the weak and lowly) |
| James 4:6 | "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”" | (Grace given to the humble) |
| 1 Peter 5:5 | "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” | (Command for humility and receiving grace) |
| Isaiah 40:31 | "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." | (Strength for those who wait on the Lord) |
| Matthew 18:3-4 | "and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" | (Childlike humility as entrance to the Kingdom) |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | (Unity in Christ beyond earthly distinctions) |
Zephaniah 3 verses
Zephaniah 3 12 Meaning
The verse speaks of a remnant within Israel who will humble themselves and find refuge in the Lord, acting righteously and without deceit. This remnant will inherit the blessings of God.
Zephaniah 3 12 Context
Zephaniah's prophecy comes during a time of apostasy and impending judgment for Judah. Despite the nation's sin and the coming destruction, God promises that a remnant will be preserved. This verse speaks specifically to that future hope. It’s a message of encouragement amidst devastation, assuring that even in the aftermath of God's wrath, humility and trust in Him will be the defining characteristics of those who remain and inherit His renewed blessings. The prophecy of judgment was not an absolute end, but a purification process that would leave a faithful few.
Zephaniah 3 12 Word Analysis
āhărit (אַחֲרִית) - "aftermath", "end", "remnant". Signifies what is left after an event, a remaining portion. Here, it refers to a special group saved through judgment.
bĕqĕrĕb (בְּקֶרֶב) - "in the midst of", "among". Emphasizes that this remnant exists within the population, not separate from it, though distinct in character.
Yisra'el (יִשְׂרָאֵל) - "Israel". Refers to the people of God, both literal descendants of Jacob and, by extension, those who belong to God through faith.
she'erith (שְׂאֵרִית) - "remnant", "remainder", "what is left". Similar to 'āhărit', but often more pointedly a saved remnant, preserved by divine intervention.
yîšûʿarū (יָשׁוּרוּ) - "to seek refuge", "to trust", "to take shelter". This word implies active reliance and finding safety in the Lord, not passive waiting.
bə YHWH (בַּיהוה) - "in Yahweh" or "in the LORD". The direct object of trust, indicating God Himself is the source of safety and security.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "I will leave among you a remnant": This is a promise of divine selection. God actively intervenes to preserve a part of His people. It highlights God's faithfulness even when His people fail.
- "the humble and lowly": These are the defining characteristics of the remnant. They are not powerful or proud, but characterized by a lack of self-exaltation and a recognition of their need for God.
- "who will trust in the Lord": Trust ('yš'rū) is the action that defines this humble remnant. It's a conscious decision to rely on God's promises and His character, especially in difficult circumstances. This trust leads to security.
Zephaniah 3 12 Bonus Section
The concept of the "remnant" is a recurring and foundational theme in the Old Testament, stretching from Noah's family to the post-exilic community. This verse in Zephaniah is part of that continuity. It shows that God’s judgment is not intended to annihilate but to purify, leaving a holy seed from which His purposes can continue to unfold. The identity of this remnant, marked by humility and trust, foreshadows the faithful who would later embrace Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied these qualities and the salvific trust promised here. The prophecy moves beyond a nationalistic exclusion, hinting at a future inclusion where the character of the heart, rather than lineage, defines those who truly belong to God’s people. The theme of God "leaving" or "preserving" a remnant points to His sovereign action in history and salvation.
Zephaniah 3 12 Commentary
Zephaniah 3:12 is a beacon of hope in the midst of dire prophecy. God declares His intention to preserve a remnant from the coming judgment, distinguishing them not by their outward status but by their inward disposition and action. This remnant is defined by humility ('anah) and lowliness ('dl)—those who are modest, gentle, and not boastful or self-important. Their saving characteristic is their active trust (yāšar) in Yahweh. This trust is not mere intellectual assent but a deep-seated reliance on God's provision and power. This passage echoes throughout Scripture, underscoring that salvation and blessing are not for the proud and self-sufficient, but for the humble who depend wholly on God. In essence, God saves those who acknowledge their dependence on Him. This principle is further amplified in the New Testament, particularly in Jesus' teachings on meekness and His own humble life, demonstrating that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who recognize their spiritual poverty.
- Practical usage example: In times of personal difficulty or societal turmoil, remember God's promise to preserve a remnant. Cultivate humility, confessing your reliance on God, and actively trust Him, rather than relying on your own strength or wisdom.