Zephaniah 2:1
What does Zephaniah 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 2:1 means
Zephaniah opens with a summons to the whole community to assemble and face its spiritual condition. Calling Judah a nation “that hath no shame” exposes their hardened conscience: sin no longer embarrasses them. Gathering implies corporate self-examination and repentance before God. The prophet urges urgent unity, not for defense against enemies, but for humility before the Lord whose judgment approaches. The verse warns that indifference is itself guilt. God’s mercy invites them to come together, acknowledge their disgrace, and seek renewal. If they will not blush over their sin now, they will soon be put to shame by judgment. The door is still open, but it will not remain open forever.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation that hath no shame;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation that hath no shame;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Come together, make everyone come together, O nation without shame;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Bend yourselves, yea, bend ye, O nation not desired,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Assemble yourselves together, be gathered together, O nation not worthy to be loved:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Collect yourselves and gather together, O nation without shame,
Context
This verse begins the chapter’s appeal to Judah before the oracles against other nations. It sets a sober tone: God’s people must reckon with their guilt. The next verse escalates the urgency with repeated “before” phrases, pressing them to act while there is time. Then verse 3 names the kind of people who should respond and what they should seek. After this call, the prophet turns outward to pronounce judgment on the surrounding nations, showing God’s rule over all.
v.1This passage
v.2before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Jehovah come upon you, before the day of Jehovah’s anger come upon you.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 8:1
And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Jehovah had commanded to Israel.
- Joel 1:14
Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the old men and all the inhabitants of the land unto the house of Jehovah your God, and cry unto Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 3:3
Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; yet thou hadst a harlot’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.
- Nehemiah 9:1
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth upon them.
- Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
- Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
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