Zephaniah 3 20

Zephaniah 3:20 kjv

At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:20 nkjv

At that time I will bring you back, Even at the time I gather you; For I will give you fame and praise Among all the peoples of the earth, When I return your captives before your eyes," Says the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:20 niv

At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes," says the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:20 esv

At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:20 nlt

On that day I will gather you together
and bring you home again.
I will give you a good name, a name of distinction,
among all the nations of the earth,
as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.
I, the LORD, have spoken!"

Zephaniah 3 verses

Zephaniah 3 20 Meaning

Zephaniah 3:20 presents a powerful divine promise of future restoration and vindication for God's people. It declares a specific future "time" when the Lord Himself will regather His scattered people from exile and completely reverse their humiliated condition, transforming them into a people celebrated and renowned among all the nations of the earth. This grand display of God's redemptive power and faithfulness will be publicly visible and undeniably evident, assuring them that the restoration is His work and fulfills His unwavering word.

Zephaniah 3 20 Context

Zephaniah 3:20 forms the triumphant conclusion of the prophet Zephaniah's book. The prophecy primarily focuses on the "Day of the Lord," announcing widespread judgment upon Judah, Jerusalem, and surrounding nations due to their idolatry, violence, and rebellion. Chapters 1-2 detail these judgments. However, chapter 3 pivots dramatically in verses 9-20 to a message of purification, restoration, and ultimate blessing for a remnant of Israel and the nations. The chapter begins with strong accusations against Jerusalem (v.1-7) but shifts to promises of purification for all peoples to call on the Lord (v.9) and the gathering of God's humble remnant from beyond the rivers of Cush (v.10). The ensuing verses describe the internal spiritual renewal of this remnant, characterized by humility and trust in the Lord (v.11-13). This sets the stage for a glorious future described in verses 14-17, where the Lord rejoices over His people, bringing an end to their judgment and shame. Verse 20 serves as the glorious climax, sealing the divine promise of a future, decisive act of God that reverses Israel's disgrace and establishes their renown among all nations, thereby validating God's faithfulness and power before the world.

Zephaniah 3 20 Word analysis

• At that time (בָּעֵת הַהִיא, ba'et hahi): This phrase, repeatedly used in prophetic literature (cf. Jer 3:17, Joel 3:1), signifies a divinely appointed, specific future moment. It is eschatological, pointing to the consummation of God's redemptive plan beyond any immediate post-exilic return. It is a definite, assured point in God's timeline.
• I will bring you in (אָבִיא אֶתְכֶם, avi etchem): "Bring in" (root בוא, bo') suggests an active divine leading, often implying returning from exile or a place of scattering back to their land or to a restored fellowship.
• At that time (בָּעֵת הַהִיא, ba'et hahi): Repetition emphasizes the certainty and fixed nature of this future moment.
• I will gather you (וַאֲקַבֵּץ אֶתְכֶם, va'aqabhetz etchem): The verb "gather" (קבץ, qavats) strongly denotes the collection of dispersed people. This implies a comprehensive, physical reunification of all segments of the scattered Israelites from wherever they were exiled, whether by Assyria or Babylon or later dispersions. It counters the judgment of scattering by a promise of gathering.
• For I will make you (וְשַׂמְתִּי אֶתְכֶם, v'samti etchem): God Himself is the agent of this transformation, underscoring His sovereignty and purpose in His people's destiny.
• renowned (לְשֵׁם, leshem): Literally "for a name." This indicates a reputation, a distinguished status, fame, and a respected identity. After being despised and scattered, they will have a celebrated name among the nations, signifying honor and dignity restored.
• and praised (לִתְהִלָּה, lithillah): "For praise." This means they will be a source of praise or lauded by others. It suggests honor, admiration, and acclamation. Their renewed condition will cause others to marvel and speak highly of them and, implicitly, of the God who accomplished it.
• among all the peoples of the earth (בְּכֹל עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ, b'khol ammei ha'aretz): The scope is global and universal. Their restoration and glory will not be localized but will be witnessed and acknowledged by every nation, overturning their prior shame and ignominy.
• when I restore your fortunes (בְשׁוּבִי אֶת שְׁבִיתְכֶם, b'shuvî et sh'vîtchem): This idiomatic phrase (שבות שב, shuv shevit) means to "turn the turning" or "bring back the captivity." It signifies a complete and radical reversal of their previous adverse circumstances, whether physical exile, national desolation, or spiritual degradation. It encompasses a restoration to well-being, prosperity, freedom, and divine favor. It’s more than just physical return; it's a holistic redemption.
• before your eyes (לְעֵינֵיכֶם, le'eineichem): The restoration will be directly visible and personally experienced by the returning people. It won't be a hidden or delayed event, but a clear, demonstrable, and tangible manifestation of God's promise, leaving no room for doubt regarding its divine source.
• says the LORD (אָמַר יְהוָה, amar YHWH): This is a divine affirmation, a solemn declaration by Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. It stamps the entire promise with divine authority, guaranteeing its certain fulfillment by His unfailing word and power.

• Words-Group analysis:
• "At that time I will bring you in, at that time I will gather you": The dual repetition of "at that time" and the paired verbs of "bring in" and "gather" powerfully emphasize the certainty, deliberate nature, and comprehensive scope of God's future act of reunification for His dispersed people. It underscores His sovereign control over their destiny and the timing of their full restoration.
• "I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth": This phrase details the glorious outcome of their gathering. It speaks to a global reversal of their status from shame and scattering to prominence and universal honor. It's a promise of public vindication where the world will witness God's work in and through His people, reflecting His glory.
• "when I restore your fortunes before your eyes": This is the means and immediate consequence of their renown. The idiom "restore your fortunes" speaks to a complete reversal of adversity, covering not just physical return but full societal, spiritual, and relational restoration. "Before your eyes" guarantees that the beneficiaries will personally and demonstrably experience this comprehensive, divine turnaround.

Zephaniah 3 20 Bonus section

This climactic promise in Zephaniah speaks to a corporate, national restoration for Israel, yet its themes resonate deeply with individual believers. The experience of being "brought in" and "gathered" can also reflect the spiritual journey from estrangement to intimacy with God. Just as Israel was humiliated and scattered, individuals often experience periods of spiritual wandering or shame. This verse offers the assurance of a God who actively seeks, gathers, and reverses the personal "fortunes" of His beloved, transforming personal humiliation into spiritual praise. The "renowned and praised" aspect points to God making His redeemed people, both corporately and individually, a living testimony to His transforming power and grace. This ultimately looks forward to the New Jerusalem, where God's redeemed dwell in His glorious presence, seen by all as a testament to His faithfulness (Rev 21:23-26).

Zephaniah 3 20 Commentary

Zephaniah 3:20 is the crowning promise in a book steeped in judgment, culminating Zephaniah's prophecy with an exquisite portrait of divine restoration. Following the woes on Judah and the nations, God unveils a future in which His unwavering covenant faithfulness will triumph over their persistent unfaithfulness. The repeated "at that time" signals a specific, momentous eschatological epoch—not merely the historical return from Babylon, but the ultimate, complete reversal of their plight in the Messianic era. God's direct agency ("I will bring you in," "I will gather you") highlights that this re-gathering is entirely His work, an act of sovereign power that reverses centuries of dispersion.

Crucially, the promise extends beyond mere physical repatriation; it elevates the status of a previously humiliated and scattered people to being "renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth." This signifies a total vindication and recognition by the nations, demonstrating God's righteousness and the glorious purpose for which He chose His people. The key phrase "restore your fortunes" encapsulates a holistic transformation, encompassing not only freedom from captivity but also restoration of their national dignity, spiritual vibrancy, and communal flourishing. That this will happen "before your eyes" confirms its tangible, observable reality, reinforcing the divine guarantee given by "says the Lord." This verse, therefore, encapsulates the ultimate hope for Israel and foreshadows the church's global witness, testifying to God's unfailing promise to glorify His chosen ones.