Zephaniah 3 16

Zephaniah 3:16 kjv

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

Zephaniah 3:16 nkjv

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.

Zephaniah 3:16 niv

On that day they will say to Jerusalem, "Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.

Zephaniah 3:16 esv

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.

Zephaniah 3:16 nlt

On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be,
"Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid!

Zephaniah 3 verses

Zephaniah 3 16 Meaning

Zephaniah 3:16 delivers an emphatic command and encouragement to Jerusalem/Zion, the redeemed remnant of God's people, in the "Day of the Lord." It directly confronts any lingering fear or despondency, exhorting them not to be afraid and not to let their hands become weak, as a response to the powerful declarations of divine salvation, presence, and triumph presented in the preceding verses. It assures God's people that the age of terror is past, replaced by divine dwelling and deliverance, inspiring them to courageous action and confident living.

Zephaniah 3 16 Context

Zephaniah, an 8th-century BCE prophet, prophesied during the reign of Judah's King Josiah (640-609 BCE). His message initially focuses on a widespread and imminent judgment (the Day of the Lord) against Judah, Jerusalem, and surrounding nations, primarily due to their idolatry, moral decay, and injustice. However, the book shifts dramatically from dire warnings of devastation to a glorious promise of restoration and redemption for a remnant.

Chapter 3 specifically begins by rebuking "the rebellious and defiled city" (Jerusalem) for its spiritual corruption (3:1-7), leading to further pronouncements of judgment upon the nations (3:8). The tone then profoundly changes with the introduction of a purified remnant and the promise of a future, cleansed people (3:9-13). This sets the stage for a burst of joyful prophecy, specifically directed at Zion. Verses 14-17 describe a magnificent future where God's people sing, shout, and rejoice because the Lord, their King, is present among them, having removed their enemies and judgments. Zephaniah 3:15, immediately preceding verse 16, explicitly states the reasons for this joy and courage: "The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil." Therefore, Zephaniah 3:16 functions as a direct exhortation, a command for God's redeemed people to live out the implications of these astounding truths—no longer fearing, no longer allowing despair to paralyze them, but embracing the new era of divine presence and prosperity.

Historically, this period predates the Babylonian exile, offering a prophetic glimpse into both the coming judgment (which occurred in 586 BCE) and a future restoration, possibly anticipating the post-exilic return, but ultimately pointing to a glorious eschatological reality involving God's abiding presence with His people.

Zephaniah 3 16 Word analysis

• In that day: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא (ba-yyôm ha-hūʾ).
  • Significance: This phrase is a common prophetic idiom in the Old Testament, denoting a significant time or period in God's redemptive history. It can refer to the near future (like the return from exile) but more often carries eschatological weight, pointing to a future day of final divine intervention, judgment, and ultimately, salvation and new creation. Here, it heralds the culmination of God's redemptive work, emphasizing the ultimate and irreversible nature of the coming blessings for Zion.
• it shall be said: יֵאָמֵ֣ר (yēʾāmēr).
  • Significance: Impersonal, passive voice. This suggests a public, widely recognized declaration or a divine utterance directed to Zion, a solemn proclamation of truth. It carries the weight of authoritative announcement rather than just casual remark.
• to Jerusalem: לִירוּשָׁלַ֕ם (lîrûšālaim).
  • Significance: Jerusalem, also interchangeable with "Zion" in this context, is the literal city but also a symbolic representation of God's people, the dwelling place of God, and the heart of the covenant community. The message is directly for the beleaguered yet redeemed people of God.
• Fear not: אַל־תִּירָ֕א (ʾal-tîrāʾ).
  • Original Hebrew: A strong negative prohibition using ʾal, indicating a direct command not to continue or engage in an action.
  • Significance: This is one of the most frequent commands in the Bible, often appearing in contexts where God's people are facing overwhelming odds or fear-inducing circumstances. Its presence here, immediately after the declaration of God's judgment being removed and His presence among them (Zeph 3:15), means that fear is now unnecessary and even inappropriate. It's a command based on God's prior acts of salvation. It speaks to both the removal of external threats and the conquering of internal trepidation.
• O Zion: צִיּ֖וֹן (Tsiyyôn).
  • Significance: Poetic and prophetic designation for Jerusalem and God's chosen people. It often carries a more intimate and theological connotation than "Jerusalem," emphasizing the relationship between God and His dwelling place/people. Its personification here as an addressed entity ("O Zion") enhances the direct and personal nature of the divine command.
• let not your hands be weak: אַל־יִרְפּ֣וּ יָדֶֽיךְ (ʾal-yirpû yādêḵ).
  • Original Hebrew: yādêḵ (your hands) from yad (hand); yirpû (be weak, slacken) from rāphāh. The root rāphāh implies letting go, becoming slack, ceasing activity, abandoning effort, often due to discouragement, fear, or exhaustion.
  • Significance: This is an idiomatic expression for losing courage, becoming despondent, being unable or unwilling to act, giving up, or faltering. It is not just about physical strength but refers to spiritual, emotional, and volitional energy. "Weak hands" imply inaction, surrender to despair, or inability to perform tasks God calls them to. Coupled with "fear not," it reinforces the idea that an inner transformation from dread to courage is required for external engagement. The command means: "Do not lose heart; do not become paralyzed by fear or despair; do not stop working."

Zephaniah 3 16 Bonus section

The injunctions in Zephaniah 3:16 – "Fear not" and "let not your hands be weak" – are intimately linked to the declaration in Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save." This immediate juxtaposition underscores that the reason for abolishing fear and weakness is not self-effort, but the immediate and active presence of a sovereign, saving God. This highlights a profound theological truth: courage and strength in the life of God's people are always derived from and sustained by His character and presence, rather than inherent human resilience. The command functions as a responsive posture that the redeemed are called to adopt, reflecting their faith in the divine realities already declared. The transformation is from a posture of dread and defeat, common under judgment, to one of joyful confidence and zealous activity, characteristic of those enjoying restoration and divine favor.

Zephaniah 3 16 Commentary

Zephaniah 3:16 serves as a climactic exhortation within the prophet's final message of hope and restoration. After detailing severe judgment for Judah's unfaithfulness, Zephaniah transitions to the promise of God's grace to a purified remnant. Verses 14 and 15 paint a vivid picture of unparalleled joy, divine indwelling ("The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst"), and permanent security ("you shall never again fear evil"). Against this backdrop of assured salvation, verse 16 becomes a call to alignment: since God has decisively acted to remove all cause for fear and has taken up residence among His people, their internal disposition and outward actions must reflect this new reality.

The command "Fear not, O Zion" is both a declarative statement and an imperative. It declares that fear is now unwarranted because God has accomplished their deliverance. It imperatively commands them to stop succumbing to dread and paralysis, which would be an insult to the omnipotent, indwelling King. "Let not your hands be weak" builds on this, urging the people to embrace their renewed strength and purpose. "Weak hands" signify the inaction or despondency that naturally arises from fear or past suffering. God has not only delivered them from judgment but also delivered them for a renewed life of righteous living and joyous worship, as detailed in the verses immediately following (Zeph 3:17-20). This call to courage and action is thus founded entirely upon God's gracious and powerful initiative, enabling His people to live fearlessly and purposefully in His presence. It's a truth that transcends time, applicable to all believers in light of Christ's triumph and the indwelling Holy Spirit.