Zephaniah 3:16
What does Zephaniah 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 3:16 means
On that day a pastoral word comes to Jerusalem and Zion: “Fear not,” and do not let your hands grow slack. Fear often weakens resolve; slack hands symbolize discouraged or idle service. Because God has removed judgment and enemies and now reigns in the midst, His people can work with confidence. This exhortation links theology to practice: assurance should produce courage and energy. The command is gentle but firm, resting on the solid promises just announced. God’s people are called to live in step with the new reality of His saving rule, not paralyzed by old anxieties.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In that day it will be said to Jerusalem, Have no fear: O Zion, let not your hands be feeble.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862In that day it is said to Jerusalem, `Fear not, O Zion, let not thy hands be feeble.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not: to Sion: Let not thy hands be weakened.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not; Zion, let not thy hands be slack.
Context
Flowing from the declaration of God’s kingship in verse 15, verse 16 applies the comfort: fear must give way to faithful action. The exhortation sets the tone for verse 17, which will unveil the deepest reason for courage—Jehovah’s mighty, rejoicing love in the midst of His people. The structure moves from what God has done, to how His people should respond, to who God is for them in saving delight.
v.15Jehovah 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.
v.16This passage
v.17Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 41:10
fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Jeremiah 46:27
But fear not thou, O Jacob my servant, neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.
- Isaiah 41:13
For I, Jehovah thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
- Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
- Hebrews 12:12
Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees;
- 2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:
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