Zephaniah 1:9
What does Zephaniah 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 1:9 means
Those who “leap over the threshold” likely practice a superstitious or predatory custom, perhaps tied to pagan rites or to violent entry in plundering. They “fill their master’s house with violence and deceit,” showing how corruption spreads through estates and institutions. It is not only the royal family that is guilty; retainers, officials, and servants participate in injustice. God’s judgment exposes both the religious superstition that replaces trust in Jehovah and the social evil that exploits others for gain. Violence and fraud are twin fruits of idolatry. Where God is not honored, people become tools to be used. The Lord will confront both the ritual error and the relational wrong.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And in that day I will punish all those that leap over the threshold, that fill their master’s house with violence and deceit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And in that day I will punish all those that leap over the threshold, that fill their master’s house with violence and deceit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in that day I will send punishment on all those who come jumping over the doorstep and make their master's house full of violent behaviour and deceit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I have laid a charge on every one Who is leaping over the threshold in that day, Who are filling the house of their masters <FI>With<Fi> violence and deceit.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I will visit in that day upon every one that entereth arrogantly over the threshold: them that fill the house of the Lord their God with iniquity and deceit.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And in that day will I punish all those that leap over the threshold, who fill their master's house with violence and deceit.
Context
Having named the royal household (verse 8), verse 9 targets those within powerful houses who advance corruption through superstition and predatory practices. With leadership and its agents under judgment, the prophecy moves to the city’s experience as a whole in verses 10–11, describing cries from key districts and the collapse of commerce, signaling that no sector of society is untouched.
v.8And it shall come to pass in the day of Jehovah’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s sons, and all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.
v.9This passage
v.10And in that day, saith Jehovah, there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and a wailing from the second quarter, and a great crashing from the hills.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 5:15
But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
- 1 Samuel 2:15
Yea, before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have boiled flesh of thee, but raw.
- Amos 3:10
For they know not to do right, saith Jehovah, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.
- Acts 16:19
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
- Proverbs 29:12
If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked.
- 2 Kings 5:20
But Gehazi the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: as Jehovah liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
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