Zephaniah 3 6

Zephaniah 3:6 kjv

I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

Zephaniah 3:6 nkjv

"I have cut off nations, Their fortresses are devastated; I have made their streets desolate, With none passing by. Their cities are destroyed; There is no one, no inhabitant.

Zephaniah 3:6 niv

"I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste; they are deserted and empty.

Zephaniah 3:6 esv

"I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.

Zephaniah 3:6 nlt

"I have wiped out many nations,
devastating their fortress walls and towers.
Their streets are now deserted;
their cities lie in silent ruin.
There are no survivors ?
none at all.

Zephaniah 3 verses

Zephaniah 3 6 Meaning

The people mentioned in this verse, who were obstinate and rebellious, are being declared as completely destroyed by the Lord. This destruction serves as a judgment against their wickedness and defiance of God's commands and authority. Their iniquity and sins are the direct cause of their downfall.

Zephaniah 3 6 Context

Zephaniah chapter 3 primarily addresses Jerusalem and Judah. The prophet declares judgment upon the city's corrupt leaders, idolatrous practices, and unfaithfulness to God. The chapter begins with a severe indictment of Jerusalem's sins. However, it then transitions to a message of hope, promising purification, restoration, and the gathering of a remnant. Verse 6 stands in the middle of the pronouncements of judgment, highlighting the reason for the impending destruction before moving towards the ultimate restoration. The immediate context is the impending judgment on the nations and particularly on Jerusalem for their stubborn rebellion and accumulated iniquity.

Zephaniah 3 6 Word Analysis

• Hebrew:

  • "ha'alohim" (הָאֵלִים): Plural form of Elohim, meaning "God" or "gods." In this context, it refers to the one true God. The use of the plural form is a common Hebrew way to denote majesty or fullness of deity.
  • "tiskobez" (תִּסְּבּוּ): From the root "sabab" (סָבַב), meaning "to surround," "to go around," or "to turn aside." Here it signifies being gathered or assembled for destruction, or more dynamically, being caused to turn away or be scattered.
  • "ki" (כִּי): A strong conjunction meaning "because," "for," or "indeed." It introduces the reason for the destruction.
  • "naval" (נָבָל): This is a crucial term referring to senseless, foolish, or wicked people, often associated with rebelliousness and utter lack of understanding or respect for God. It carries a strong sense of moral and spiritual bankruptcy.
  • "bo'lam" (בֹּלֶם): From the root "bolem" (בָּלַם), meaning "to stop," "to restrain," "to be deaf," or "to be dull." It describes a state of deliberate incomprehension or stubbornness against hearing and responding to God's discipline or word.
  • "ruach" (רוּחַ): Commonly translated as "spirit" or "wind." Here it refers to spirit in the sense of intent, inclination, or disposition—specifically, a stubborn and defiant disposition.
  • "ne'um-yhwh" (נְאֻם־יְהוָה): "The Lord declares" or "oracle of the Lord." This phrase emphasizes the divine authority and certainty of the statement.

• Words Grouped:

  • "Those who are wicked and perverse" (navul u'meshubah) combines the concepts of moral failing (wickedness) and active rebellion (perversity, rebellion) emphasizing their deeply ingrained sinful nature.
  • "you are deafened" (tisbobu) signifies not just a lack of hearing, but an active shutting down of the senses to God's message.
  • "their understanding turned aside" (ruch bolem) depicts a cognitive rebellion where the mind is actively resisting truth and wisdom.

Zephaniah 3 6 Bonus Section

The phrase "I will completely destroy them" carries the force of utter annihilation, often depicted as a removal from existence or a thorough cleansing. The imagery of "being deafened" (from "bolem") powerfully conveys their willful resistance to God’s clear voice and warnings, making them incapable of repentance. This concept of spiritual deafness is a recurring theme, emphasizing that judgment often stems from a self-imposed blindness and refusal to engage with divine truth, a chosen separation from God's restorative pathways.

Zephaniah 3 6 Commentary

This verse is a pronouncement of complete judgment. The people addressed have demonstrated a persistent defiance, actively choosing foolishness and rebellion ("wicked and perverse"). This isn't mere ignorance but a chosen recalcitrance, a spiritual deafness to God’s authoritative pronouncements and corrections. The Lord declares that this deep-seated stubbornness and rebellion will lead to their total elimination. It underscores the severe consequences of rejecting divine guidance and embracing sin, highlighting God’s ultimate justice against unrepentant iniquity. Their hardened hearts and minds are the direct cause of their impending annihilation, described here as being utterly consumed or cut off.