Zephaniah 3:4
What does Zephaniah 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 3:4 means
Religious leadership has failed in tandem with civil leadership. The prophets are described as light—frivolous, reckless—and treacherous, betraying the trust of the people by speaking falsely. The priests profane the sanctuary, treating holy things as common, and they do violence to the law—twisting or neglecting God’s revealed will. When those meant to teach truth become careless, worship becomes empty and ethics collapse. This verse explains why correction has not taken root: the very guides of Israel have misled the flock. God’s standards have not changed, but those responsible for communicating and guarding them have become unfaithful stewards.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have profaned the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Her prophets are good-for-nothing persons, full of deceit: her priests have made the holy place unclean and have gone violently against the law.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Her prophets unstable--men of treachery, Her priests have polluted the sanctuary, They have violated the law.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Her prophets are senseless, men without faith: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have acted unjustly against the law.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Her prophets are vain-glorious, treacherous persons; her priests profane the sanctuary, they do violence to the law.
Context
The indictment has moved from rulers and judges to prophets and priests, showing no corner of public life remains untainted. Verse 4 completes the catalogue of corruption among leaders. With the human shepherds exposed, verse 5 will contrast their failure with Jehovah’s steadfast righteousness. This contrast is crucial: judgment is not capricious; it aligns with God’s holy character. The flow will then widen to recall how God has judged other nations, meant to warn Jerusalem.
v.3Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing till the morrow.
v.4This passage
v.5Jehovah in the midst of her is righteous; he will not do iniquity; every morning doth he bring his justice to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Lamentations 2:14
Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; And they have not uncovered thine iniquity, to bring back thy captivity, But have seen for thee false oracles and causes of banishment.
- 1 Samuel 2:22
Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons did unto all Israel, and how that they lay with the women that did service at the door of the tent of meeting.
- Malachi 2:8
But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Jeremiah 8:10
Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall possess them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness; from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
- Jeremiah 23:9
Concerning the prophets. My heart within me is broken, all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of Jehovah, and because of his holy words.
- Hosea 9:7
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the man that hath the spirit is mad, for the abundance of thine iniquity, and because the enmity is great.
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