Zephaniah 3 7

Zephaniah 3:7 kjv

I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

Zephaniah 3:7 nkjv

I said, 'Surely you will fear Me, You will receive instruction'? So that her dwelling would not be cut off, Despite everything for which I punished her. But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.

Zephaniah 3:7 niv

Of Jerusalem I thought, 'Surely you will fear me and accept correction!' Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did.

Zephaniah 3:7 esv

I said, 'Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.' But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.

Zephaniah 3:7 nlt

I thought, 'Surely they will have reverence for me now!
Surely they will listen to my warnings.
Then I won't need to strike again,
destroying their homes.'
But no, they get up early
to continue their evil deeds.

Zephaniah 3 verses

Zephaniah 3 7 Meaning

Zephaniah 3:7 states, "I said, 'Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then their dwelling would not be cut off, nor would all that I have threatened them come upon them.' They eagerly corrupted all their ways." The verse conveys that had Jerusalem heeded God's warnings and accepted His discipline, their destruction would have been averted. It highlights the consequence of persistent disobedience. The verse contrasts potential blessing with the reality of judgment due to ingrained sinfulness.

Zephaniah 3 7 Context

Zephaniah ministered during the reign of King Josiah in Judah (circa 640-609 BC). This was a time of religious reform under Josiah, following the corrupt reigns of Manasseh and Amon. However, despite the reforms, a deep-seated corruption and rebellion remained within the populace. Zephaniah's prophecy, especially chapter 3, addresses the impending judgment of Jerusalem due to its persistent unfaithfulness and injustice, while also offering a message of hope for a future purified remnant. Verse 7 is part of God's assessment of why judgment was necessary, contrasting what could have been with what was.

Zephaniah 3 7 Word Analysis

• "I said": This refers to God speaking, a direct assertion of divine intention and assessment.
• "Surely" (Hiphil participle of 'al): Often used to express certainty, emphasis, or a strong intention. It carries the sense of "Indeed," or "Truly."
• "you will fear me" (yare' yare'): "Yare'" means to fear, stand in awe of, reverence, or be afraid of. The repetition might emphasize a totality or entirety of fearing God, moving beyond superficial apprehension to genuine awe and respect for His holiness and power.
• "you will accept correction" (lakhd yasar): "Lakhd" means to receive, take, accept, or get. "Yasar" refers to discipline, correction, instruction, or chastening. Accepting correction implies openness to divine guidance and reproof, rather than resisting it.
• "Then" (ken): A particle indicating consequence, meaning "so," "then," "thus." It links the potential positive actions to the averted consequences.
• "their dwelling would not be cut off" (lo' bikroth bathyrohem): "Bikroth" comes from a root meaning to be cut off, cease, perish, or be destroyed. "Bathyrohem" means their dwelling or habitation. This refers to their physical homes and, by extension, their continued existence and national stability.
• "nor would all that I have threatened them come upon them" (w'lo' el kol asher nikphad'ti otihem): "El kol" means "all" or "to all." "Nikphad'ti otihem" is more complex. "Nikphad" can mean to visit, muster, search out, or to take account of. "Otihem" refers to them or concerning them. This phrase means that all that God had appointed or decreed against them would not come to pass if they had obeyed.
• "They eagerly corrupted all their ways" (shakhat, shikhu kol-makhlikhehem): "Shakhat" means to corrupt, destroy, spoil, ruin. "Shikhu" means to corrupt, act corruptly, pervert, be corrupt. "Kol-makhlikhehem" means all their going, their ways, their path, their conduct. This starkly contrasts with the hypothetical acceptance of correction; instead of accepting discipline, they actively and zealously engaged in corrupt behavior.

Groups of Words:

• "Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction": This entire phrase outlines the conditional basis for averting judgment. It highlights two intertwined actions: reverential awe leading to a willingness to be taught and guided by God.
• "Then their dwelling would not be cut off, nor would all that I have threatened them come upon them": This describes the positive outcome—security and exemption from divine judgment—that would have followed obedience.
• "They eagerly corrupted all their ways": This phrase acts as the counterpoint, explaining why the favorable outcome did not occur. Their eager, proactive pursuit of corruption rendered the blessings impossible and judgment inevitable.

Zephaniah 3 7 Bonus Section

The concept of "earning" God's favor through obedience versus God's grace is complex. Zephaniah 3:7 emphasizes the consequences of disobedience, not salvation by works. However, it demonstrates a principle seen throughout Scripture: God's covenant relationship with Israel involved conditional blessings based on obedience. While the New Testament emphasizes salvation by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), it does not nullify the importance of godly living and the consequences of sin. As Hebrews 12:11 notes, discipline is ultimately for our good, leading to a harvest of righteousness. The persistent "corruption of their ways" implies a wilful hardening of the heart, making them impervious to God’s goodness, which was meant to draw them back (Romans 2:4).

Zephaniah 3 7 Commentary

This verse is a poignant statement about God's disposition towards His people. It reveals that God's judgment is not capricious but is a response to the condition of the human heart. The hypothetical "if they had..." underscores that God desires obedience and provides opportunities for correction. The failure was not in God's decree, but in Jerusalem's obstinate refusal to heed His warnings and discipline. The phrase "eagerly corrupted all their ways" powerfully illustrates the active, willing nature of their rebellion. This active corruption actively negated the possibility of averting judgment. The emphasis is on a complete turn away from righteousness and a wholehearted embrace of sin, making them resistant to the very measures that could have saved them.