Zephaniah 3:9 kjv
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
Zephaniah 3:9 nkjv
"For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him with one accord.
Zephaniah 3:9 niv
"Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the LORD and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
Zephaniah 3:9 esv
"For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.
Zephaniah 3:9 nlt
"Then I will purify the speech of all people,
so that everyone can worship the LORD together.
Zephaniah 3 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Zephaniah 3:9 | For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, | Primary Verse |
| Isaiah 19:18 | that in that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear by the LORD of hosts; one shall be called the City of Destruction. | Future universal language |
| Jeremiah 31:33-34 | But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. | Direct knowledge of God, forgiven |
| John 4:23-24 | But the hour is coming, and is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. | True worship, spirit and truth |
| Acts 2:4 | And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. | Holy Spirit, new languages |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Unity, agreement |
| Philippians 2:2 | then make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. | Unity of mind and love |
| Ephesians 4:3-6 | striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. | Unity of the Spirit |
| Romans 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Renewal of mind |
| Revelation 7:9 | After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, | Multitude from every nation |
| Revelation 14:1-5 | Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of a great thunder. And the voice I heard was like the singing of harpers playing on their harps, and they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. Not yet could anyone learn that song, except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. It is these who have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. | Redeemed, no lie, blameless |
| Acts 10:34-35 | So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. | God shows no partiality |
| 1 Corinthians 12:13 | For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. | One Spirit, one body |
| Genesis 11:1-9 | The Tower of Babel story. | Precedent of language division |
| Acts 2:17-18 | ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. | Pouring out of Spirit on all |
| Isaiah 11:9 | They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. | Earth full of knowledge of LORD |
| Joel 2:28-29 | ‘And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. | Spirit poured on all, prophecy |
| Matthew 28:19 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, | Disciples of all nations |
| 1 Corinthians 14:19 | however, in church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. | Intelligible words in worship |
| Ephesians 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. | Building up, grace in speech |
| Romans 10:13-15 | For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” | Calling on the name of the Lord |
Zephaniah 3 verses
Zephaniah 3 9 Meaning
This verse speaks of a future time of purification and restored worship for all nations. God promises to give humanity a "pure language," enabling unified, sincere praise and a return to Him. This signifies a universal spiritual renewal and communion.
Zephaniah 3 9 Context
Zephaniah prophesies to Judah during a period of significant social and religious corruption, exacerbated by the looming threat of the Babylonian exile. Chapter 3 moves from judgment on Jerusalem to a future hope of restoration. This verse specifically shifts from the purging of the city and its impurities to a universal promise of renewal for all peoples. It points beyond the immediate political and social realities of Judah to a messianic era. The historical context involves a call to repentance before divine judgment, but Zephaniah also looks forward to a redeemed remnant and a restored global community. The scattering of people and confusion of languages (Genesis 11) is reversed in this promised linguistic and spiritual unity.
Zephaniah 3 9 Word Analysis
ki (כִּֽי): "For" or "Surely." Indicates a cause or reason, introducing the promise that follows the preceding pronouncements of judgment and purification.
az (אָ֫ז): "Then" or "At that time." Refers to a future period, specifically the time of restoration and fulfillment.
efenek (אָשִׁיב): From "shuv" (שׁוּב), meaning "to return," "to restore," "to bring back." Here it signifies a divine action of bringing back or restoring.
la'amim (לְעַמִּים): "To the peoples" or "to the nations." Plural form, referring to all humanity beyond just Israel, highlighting the universal scope of this promise.
leshon (לָשׁוֹן): "Tongue" or "language." The capacity for speech and communication.
b'rurot (בְּרוּרָה): From "barar" (בָּרַר), meaning "to be pure," "to be clear," "to be choice." It signifies purity, clarity, and refined quality, applicable here to language.
laqor (לִקְרֹא): "To call" or "to invoke." Refers to the act of summoning or addressing someone.
b'shem (בְּשֵׁם): "In the name of." Implies calling upon, worshipping, and acknowledging by divine appellation.
Yehovah (יְהוָה): The personal covenantal name of God (LORD).
shacrat (יַעַבְד֖וּ): From "avad" (עָבַד), meaning "to serve," "to worship," "to work." Here it refers to the act of devoted worship and service.
shacrek (לְעָבֶֽדְךָ): The infinitive form, indicating purpose: "to serve You" or "to worship You."
Grouped Analysis:
- "For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language": This signifies God’s ultimate act of unifying humanity under Himself. The "pure language" is not merely a new dialect but a complete purification of communication, leading to true worship. This mirrors the reversal of Babel, where God's spirit brings understanding and unity, not confusion.
- "that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him with one accord.": This is the consequence and purpose of the pure language. It enables collective invocation of God’s name, leading to unified, concerted worship and service. "One accord" (Hebrew: "etsah ahath" - one shoulder, meaning common purpose) emphasizes communal action and shared devotion.
Zephaniah 3 9 Bonus Section
The concept of a "pure language" can be understood metaphorically as the cessation of sin and deception in communication, leading to unadulterated praise and fellowship with God. While some interpretations suggest a literal universal tongue, the overwhelming emphasis in the biblical narrative is on spiritual unity and mutual understanding enabled by the Holy Spirit. The restoration of language in this verse echoes God's work at Pentecost (Acts 2), where the Holy Spirit enabled diverse peoples to understand one another, a foreshadowing of this ultimate, universal renewal. It’s the ultimate overcoming of the curse of Babel, replaced by the blessing of God’s presence and kingdom.
Zephaniah 3 9 Commentary
This verse paints a picture of eschatological perfection where God’s people, no longer divided by linguistic or spiritual barriers, engage in perfect worship. The "pure language" suggests an end to idolatry, sin-corrupted speech, and misunderstandings that plague human interaction. It points to a time when humanity speaks God’s truth with clarity and unity. This purity is rooted in God's cleansing action, leading to a communal, unhindered devotion. It anticipates the ingathering of all nations into God's kingdom, where His name is universally hallowed.