Zephaniah 3:10

What does Zephaniah 3:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Zephaniah 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Zephaniah 3:10 means

From lands as distant as beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, God’s suppliants—His worshipers, including the dispersed daughter—will bring offerings to Him. The picture is of a global pilgrimage, with exiles and far-off peoples coming to honor Jehovah. Distance is no barrier to God’s gathering work. The dispersed are not forgotten; they are dignified as participants in restored worship. The verse widens the promise: restoration is not parochial but reaches to the edges of the map. The God who judges all nations will also be worshiped by them, and He will assemble His scattered people to Himself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

From over the rivers of Ethiopia, and from the sides of the north, they will come to me with an offering.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

From beyond the rivers of Cush, my supplicants, The daughter of My scattered ones, Do bring My present.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, shall my suppliants, the children of my dispersed people, bring me an offering.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

From beyond the rivers of Cush my suppliants, the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine oblation.

Context

Verse 10 builds on the global purification of verse 9 by showing worshipers streaming from far places, including the dispersed community. The prophet wants readers to see a reversal of scattering: those once far are now near, bearing offerings. This sets up verses 11–13, which describe the moral change in Zion—pride removed, humility remaining, and a remnant marked by truthfulness and peace. The flow moves from inclusion to transformation, portraying the shape of renewed life under God.

v.9For then will I turn to the peoples of a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him with one consent.

v.10This passage

v.11In that day shalt thou not be put to shame for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me; for then I will take away out of the midst of thee thy proudly exulting ones, and thou shalt no more be haughty in my holy mountain.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 15:16

    that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

  • Psalms 68:31

    Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands unto God.

  • Malachi 1:11

    For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the Gentiles, saith Jehovah of hosts.

  • Romans 11:11

    I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy.

  • Acts 24:17

    Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:

  • Isaiah 60:4

    Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be carried in the arms.

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