Zephaniah 3:2
What does Zephaniah 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 3:2 means
Jerusalem’s guilt is described in four refusals: she would not obey God’s voice, accept His correction, trust in Jehovah, or draw near to her God. The problem is not ignorance but stubbornness. God spoke, disciplined, offered Himself, and invited closeness—yet the people rejected each grace. Their refusal to trust and to draw near reveals that sin is ultimately relational. The city’s outward injustices flow from an inner posture of unbelief. This verse exposes the spiritual root of their decline: resistance to divine authority and estrangement from God’s presence. It makes clear that the coming judgment is not arbitrary but the consequence of persistent hardening.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in Jehovah; she drew not near to her God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in Jehovah; she drew not near to her God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949She gave no attention to the voice, she had no use for teaching, she put no faith in the Lord, she did not come near to her God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862She hath not hearkened to the voice, She hath not accepted instruction, In Jehovah she hath not trusted, Unto her God she hath not drawn near.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752She hath not hearkened to the voice, neither hath she received discipline: she hath not trusted in the Lord, she drew not near to her God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890She hearkened not to the voice; she received not correction; she confided not in Jehovah; she drew not near herGod.
Context
Having announced a woe over the city, Zephaniah now details its spiritual condition. Verse 2 shows that Jerusalem’s failures are not only institutional but deeply personal: they are against God’s word, God’s discipline, and God Himself. These inner refusals set the stage for the next two verses, which expose how leaders and clergy have embodied and amplified the city’s sin. The argument proceeds from the heart to the halls of power, proving the corruption is comprehensive.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 1:7
The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; Butthe foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
- Jeremiah 35:17
therefore thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.
- Isaiah 43:22
Yet thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
- Isaiah 31:1
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek Jehovah!
- Nehemiah 9:26
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their back, and slew thy prophets that testified against them to turn them again unto thee, and they wrought great provocations.
- Psalms 50:17
Seeing that thou hatest instruction, And castest my words behind thee?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Zephaniah 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Zephaniah 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Meekness
Explore biblical teachings on meekness, a Christ-like virtue characterized by humility, gentleness, and patient strength.
Topic
Bible Verses About Silence Before God
The Bible speaks of the importance of silence before God, encouraging reverent waiting and attentiveness to His voice. Quiet contemplation allows us to draw closer to Him and understand His will.