Zephaniah 1:3
What does Zephaniah 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 1:3 means
The devastation is described in terms of de-creation: humanity, beasts, birds, and fish—all the realms of life—will be swept away. Even “the stumblingblocks with the wicked” will be removed, likely meaning the idols and causes of sin that have ensnared people. God will “cut off man from off the face of the ground,” repeating and reinforcing the warning. The echo of creation’s order being reversed underscores how deeply sin has distorted life. The verse makes clear that judgment is not merely punitive; it is purgative. God will clear away both the wicked and the snares that keep people stumbling, vindicating His holiness and reclaiming His world from entrenched rebellion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the face of the ground, saith Jehovah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the face of the ground, saith Jehovah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I will take away man and beast; I will take away the birds of the heaven and the fishes of the sea; causing the downfall of the evil-doers, and cutting man off from the face of the earth, says the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I consume man and beast, I consume fowl of the heavens, and fishes of the sea, And the stumbling-blocks--the wicked, And I have cut off man from the face of the ground, An affirmation of Jehovah,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I will gather man, and beast, I will gather the birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea: and the ungodly shall meet with ruin: and I will destroy men from off the face of the land, saith the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I will take away man and beast; I will take away the fowl of the heavens and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked, and I will cut off mankind from off the face of the ground, saith Jehovah.
Context
Verse 3 intensifies verse 2, mapping the judgment onto the created order and naming moral causes—stumblingblocks with the wicked. With that universal and ethical frame set, the prophecy turns to Judah and Jerusalem specifically in verse 4. The flow is important: before Judah is singled out, God has declared a larger crisis that encompasses all creation. Judah’s coming judgment is thus part of a larger, righteous act of God to purge evil.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 12:4
How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end.
- Ezekiel 14:13
Son of man, when a land sinneth against me by committing a trespass, and I stretch out my hand upon it, and break the staff of the bread thereof, and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast;
- Ezekiel 7:19
They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be as an unclean thing; their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of Jehovah: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels; because it hath been the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
- Ezekiel 14:3
Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?
- Matthew 23:39
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
- Zechariah 13:2
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered; and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Zephaniah 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Zephaniah 1.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Silence Before God
The Bible speaks of the importance of silence before God, encouraging reverent waiting and attentiveness to His voice. Quiet contemplation allows us to draw closer to Him and understand His will.
Topic
Bible Verses About Meekness
Explore biblical teachings on meekness, a Christ-like virtue characterized by humility, gentleness, and patient strength.