Zephaniah 3:8
What does Zephaniah 3:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Zephaniah 3:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Zephaniah 3:8 means
Because Jerusalem refused correction, Jehovah summons His people to wait for Him until the day He rises to seize prey—His term for executing judgment. His fixed determination is to gather and assemble the nations to pour out His indignation and fierce anger. The language is comprehensive: all the earth will be devoured by the fire of His jealousy. This is not petty rage but holy zeal to claim what is His and purge evil. Waiting for God means trusting His timing and justice. The verse anticipates a great, consuming intervention that levels pride everywhere, preparing the ground for a cleansed, unified worship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason, go on waiting for me, says the Lord, till the day when I come up as a witness: for my purpose is to send for the nations and to get the kingdoms together, so that I may let loose on them my passion, even all my burning wrath: for all the earth will be burned up in the fire of my bitter passion.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Therefore, wait for Me--an affirmation of Jehovah, For the day of My rising for prey, For My judgment <FI>is<Fi> to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them Mine indignation, All the heat of Mine anger, For by the fire of My jealousy consumed is all the earth.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore expect me, saith the Lord, in the day of my resurrection that is to come, for my judgment is to assemble the Gentiles, and to gather the kingdoms: and to pour upon them my indignation, all my fierce anger: for with the fire of my jealousy shall all the earth be devoured.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to assemble the nations, that I may gather the kingdoms together, to pour upon them mine indignation, — all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
Context
After recounting warnings spurned, verse 8 declares a universal day of judgment. The scope expands from Jerusalem to all nations, echoing the earlier oracles in the book. This heavy word ends the first half of the chapter’s judgment theme. Remarkably, the next verse begins a new tone: from consuming fire to purifying grace. The sequence matters: God’s purification of peoples and the reunion of worship flow out of His holy judgment, not around it.
v.7I said, Only fear thou me; receive correction; so her dwelling shall not be cut off, according to all that I have appointed concerning her: but they rose early and corrupted all their doings.
v.8This passage
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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Micah 4:11
And now many nations are assembled against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye see our desire upon Zion.
- Psalms 62:1
My soul waiteth in silence for God only: From himcomethmy salvation.
- Psalms 27:14
Wait for Jehovah: Be strong, and let thy heart take courage; Yea, wait thou for Jehovah.
- Joel 3:2
I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: and they have parted my land,
- Psalms 130:5
I wait for Jehovah, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope.
- Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
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