Zephaniah 3:15
What does Zephaniah 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 3:15 means
The cause of joy is declared: Jehovah has taken away your judgments and driven out your enemy. More, the King of Israel—Jehovah Himself—is in your midst; therefore, there is no more reason to fear evil. God’s pardoning and protecting acts culminate in His personal presence and kingship. This anticipates the New Testament revelation of God dwelling with His people in Christ, the true King who embodies divine presence. Zephaniah presents the heart of restoration: not merely changed circumstances, but God Himself reigning among His people, removing guilt and subduing foes. Fear evaporates where the Lord is near as sovereign Redeemer.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not fear evil any more.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not fear evil any more.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The Lord has taken away those who were judging you, he has sent your haters far away: the King of Israel, even the Lord, is among you: you will have no more fear of evil.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jehovah hath turned aside thy judgments, He hath faced thine enemy, The king of Israel, Jehovah, <FI>is<Fi> in thy midst, Thou seest evil no more.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Lord hath taken away thy judgment, he hath turned away thy enemies: the king of Israel, the Lord, is in the midst of thee, thou shalt fear evil no more.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy; the King of Israel, Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not see evil any more.
Context
Verse 15 provides the theological center for the preceding call to rejoice. It unites pardon, victory, and presence under the banner of Jehovah’s kingship. The next verses (16–17) will echo and deepen this comfort, encouraging courage and action, and portraying God’s own delight in His people. The movement is from proclamation to exhortation to tender assurance, drawing hearers into the security of God’s reign.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 54:14
In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee.
- Zechariah 12:3
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.
- Joel 3:20
But Judah shall abide for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
- Zechariah 14:11
And men shall dwell therein, and there shall be no more curse; but Jerusalem shall dwell safely.
- Habakkuk 2:17
For the violence done to Lebanon shall cover thee, and the destruction of the beasts, which made them afraid; because of men’s blood, and for the violence done to the land, to the city and to all that dwell therein.
- John 19:19
And Pilate wrote a title also, and put it on the cross. And there was written, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
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