Sofonias 3
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Sofonias 3
NJB (MT versing) Woe to Jerusalem and the Nations The Wickedness of Jerusalem Woe to Jerusalem Jerusalem's Sin and Redemption Against the Rulers of Judah 3:1-7 (1-7) 3:1-5 (1-5) 3:1-2 (1-2) 3:1-5 3:1-4 (1-4) 3:3-5 (3-5) 3:5 (5) The Examples of the Nations 3:6-7 (6-7) 3:6-7 (6-7) 3:6-7 3:6-7 (6-7) A Faithful Remnant The Nations Will Be Converted and a Righteous Remnant Will be Left in Israel 3:8-11 (8-11) 3:8 (8) 3:8 (8) 3:8 3:8 (8) Conversion of the Nations 3:9-13 (9-13) 3:9-10 (9-10) 3:9-13 3:9-10 (9-10) The Humble Remnant of Israel A Remnant of Israel 3:11-13 (11-13) 3:11-13 (11-13) 3:12-13 (12-13) Joy in God's Faithfulness The Glorious Gospel of Salvation A Song of Joy Psalms of Joy in Zion 3:14-20 (14-20) 3:14-15 (14-15) 3:14-20 (14-20) 3:14-20 (14-20) 3:14-15 (14-15) 3:16-17 (16-17) 3:16-18a (16-18a) 3:18-20 (18-20) Return of Exiles 3:18b-19 (18b-19) 3:20 (20) Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS I must admit that my theological bias shows brightly in Zephaniah 2-3. I view all texts through the Great Commission (i.e., Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8). It is difficult to know if these chapters are using universal themes as hyperbole or emphasizing God's universal redemption. It is quite possible that this context refers only to repentant, restored Israel/Judah. But there are so many OT texts about God's love for all humans that I consciously err on this side of universal hope. I believe in a universal offer but a divine mandate for repentance and faith for inclusion. I do not believe in universalism, but I do believe in a universal offer! Oh, how I love John 1:12; 3:16; 4:42; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:1; 4:14! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
Sofonias 3:1-7
3:1 "Woe" This INTERJECTION referred to Nineveh in Nah. 3:4 (cf. Zeph. 2:12-13) but here, shockingly, to Jerusalem (specifically stated in Zeph. 3:14). This literary technique of mentioning God's judgment on other nations first (cf. Amos 1:3-2:16) and then on His own people (cf Amos 3:1-6:13) is clearly seen in Amos. Notice how she is characterized in Zeph. 3:2-5,5e,7e; Hab. 1:3-4. rebellious, Zeph. 3:1a ‒ BDB 598, KB 632, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, cf. Jer. 4:17; 5:23; 6:28 defiled, Zeph. 3:1a ‒ BDB 146 II, KB 169, Niphal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, cf. Ezek. 23:30 the tyrannical city, Zeph. 3:1b ‒ BDB 413, KB 416, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, literally"oppressing," cf. Jer. 6:6; 22:17 heeded no voice, Zeph. 3:2a ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal PERFECT, cf. Jer. 7:23-28 accepted no instruction, Zeph. 3:2b ‒ BDB 542, KB 534, Qal PERFECT, cf. Jer. 2:30; 5:3; 32:33; 35:13 did not trust in the Lord, Zeph. 3:2c ‒ BDB 105, KB 120, Qal PERFECT; for the positive usage of the VERB see 2 Kgs. 18:5; 19:10; 1 Chr. 5:20; Isa. 26:3-4; Jer. 17:7 did not draw near to her God, Zeph. 3:2d ‒ BDB 897, KB 1132, Qal PERFECT, this denotes worship, cf. 1 Sam. 14:36; Isa. 48:16; Ezek. 44:15 her leaders (all corrupt) her princes are roaring lions her judges are wolves at evening, cf. Ezek. 22:27 her prophets are reckless and treacherous, cf. Jer. 23:32 her priests have profaned the temple and done violence to the law, cf. Jer. 2:8; Ezek. 22:26 knows no shame, Zeph. 3:5e, cf. Isa. 42:17; Jer. 2:26; 3:25 eager to corrupt (two Hiphil PERFECTS) all their deeds, Zeph. 3:7e ‒ a person's repeated choices and actions reveal the heart Oh my, what a terrible list of the characteristics of YHWH's people! Notice numbers 4-7 are all NEGATED PERFECTS, which denotes a settled attitude of defiance. SPECIAL TOPIC: LIONS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME ▣ NASB, NKJV, TEV, NJB "rebellious" "soiled" "sullied" "filthy" LXX, Peshitta totally different text The MT has "rebellious" (המר, BDB 598, KB 632, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). But as you can see, several English translations see it as coming from מראה, KB 630 I (NET Bible). This second option (NRSV, JPSOA, REB) fits the parallelism best (cf. Nah. 3:6). The UBS Text Project, p. 380, suggests that "rebellious" (BDB 598) is a play on the word "Moriah" (BDB 599), which is another name for Jerusalem. SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM 3:2 "She" The feminine form of the NEGATED VERB reflects the Holy City of YHWH as a fallen, disobedient, and idolatrous woman (cf. Ezekiel 8; 21; 23). 3:3-4 The leadership of God's people were often condemned by the prophets for their greedy, godless exercise of power (cf. Isa. 56:9-12; Jer. 5:30-31; 6:13-14; 8:8-12; 14:13-18; 22:1-30; 23:1-40; 26:12-15; 28:1-17; 36:30-31; Ezek. 13:1-23; 22:23-31; Micah 3:1-12; 7:3). As the leadership goes, so go the people! 3:5 Notice how the Lord (i.e., YHWH) characterizes His future relationship with Jerusalem. He is righteousness within her. He will do no injustice. Every morning He bring His justice to light. He does not fail. The "New Jerusalem" will reflect His character (cf. Revelation 21-22; the new abode of the redeemed people of God, Jew and Gentile (cf. Eph. 2:11-3:13); the promise of Gen. 3:15 is fulfilled at last). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) ▣ "But the unjust knows no shame" This must refer to Zeph. 3:2-4. It seems out of place in 3:5, as does 3:7e. 3:6 Because Jerusalem has "no shame" (Zeph. 3:5), YHWH will bring judgment (3:6) on a universal scale (cf. Zeph. 1:2-18). The purpose of this judgment (cf. Zeph. 1:2-6,7-13,14-18) is a universal redemption brought about by Israel's Judean Messiah (Zeph. 3:7d). SPECIAL TOPIC: CITIES (the two cities in Isaiah)
Sofonias 3:8-11
3:7 His judgment is for a redemptive purpose (Zeph. 3:7). surely you (FEMININE, i.e., Jerusalem) will revere Me, cf. Zeph. 3:9-10 (opposite of 3:2) surely you (FEMININE, i.e., Jerusalem) will accept instruction (opposite of 3:2) surely you (FEMININE) will be secure surely His purposes in "her" (Jerusalem) will be fulfilled There is coming a new day of fellowship with God. His people, all people, will return to Him. This was the purpose/goal of creation! SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO OT COVENANT PROMISES SEEM SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES? 3:8 It is interesting to note that Zeph. 3:8 is the only verse in the Hebrew Bible that contains all twenty-two Hebrew consonants. (Now you are ready for Bible trivia!) ▣ "You" This is MASCULINE, possibly the faithful survivors of Zeph. 2:10 (i.e., "remnant"). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES ▣ "wait for Me" This is a Piel IMPERATIVE (BDB 314, KB 313, cf. Hab. 2:3). It is an idiom for trusting (i.e., "endure, expect, hope," NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 129-130) God to act in an appropriate way at an appropriate time. God will set everything right in His own time and in His own way. His ways are not always clear to fallen humans (cf. Isa. 55:9-11). "Waiting" for God is an act of faith in His word (cf. Isa. 8:17; 25:9; 30:18; 64:4; Hab. 2:3). The NASB Study Bible footnote sees this as a sarcastic statement, affirming Judah's unwillingness to repent, p. 1324 (also Tyndale OT Commentaries, p. 114). ▣ "the day" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THAT DAY and SPECIAL TOPIC: DAY OF THE LORD (NT). ▣ NASB (1970) "when I rise up to the prey" (different from my text) NKJV, NET "I rise up for plunder" NASB (1995), NRSV, LXX, Peshitta "when I rise as a witness" "when I rise to accuse the nations" NJB, JPSOA "when I rise as accuser" "when I stand up to accuse you" The MT has דע (BDB 729), which can be pointed (i.e., vowel points) as plunder witness forever (PREPOSITION plus root) The UBS Text Project, p. 382, gives option 1 a "C" rating (considerable doubt). ▣ "All My burning anger. . .the fire of My zeal" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE. ▣ "My decision is to gather nations" Notice the series of INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS to the prey ‒ the JPSOA emends this to "when I arise as an accuser" to gather, cf. Ezek. 22:19,20 to assemble to pour out All speak of YHWH's judgment at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way. ▣ Notice the number of PRONOUNS in English denoting YHWH's personal action. wait for Me I rise up My decision My indignation My burning anger My zeal (see NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 937-939) This Divine activity has a redemptive purpose (cf. Zeph. 3:9; 2:11). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 3:9-10 These verses speak of a universal worship of YHWH (while Zeph. 3:11-13 refers to His covenant people, see Contextual Insights). He gives to the peoples purified lips, i.e., examples Egypt ‒ Isa. 19:18 "those far away" ‒ Isa. 57:19 "among all the wise men of the nations" ‒ Jer. 10:6-7 "among the nations" ‒ Mal. 1:11 If YHWH is the one, true, creator, then He must also be the one, true redeemer! A universal God demands universal worship. Israel was a means to an end (i.e., the gospel is for all humans, Matt. 28:19-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8)! Notice it is God who must "give" (lit. "change"). This is "the new covenant" of Jer. 31:31-34 (cf. Ezek. 36:22-38) based on God's actions and not human performance (i.e., Mosaic Covenant, cf. Leviticus 26: Deuteronomy 28-30). But remember, He acts on our behalf so that we can be holy (cf. Matt. 5:48). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN SPECIAL TOPIC: SANCTIFICATION 3:9 "I will give" "I will restore" NRSV, TEV, LXX "I will change" "I will purge" "I will make" REB, Peshitta "I will restore" "I will enable" The MT has the VERB (BDB 245, KB 253, Qal IMPERFECT), which basically means "to turn" or "to overturn." KB suggests "restore." Notice the two theological questions. YHWH takes the initiative (FIRST PERSON SINGULAR); this is in line with Jer. 31:31-34 (i.e., the new covenant, cf. Ezek. 36:22-36), but is there a mandated human response? Does YHWH "purge" pagan speech (i.e., the nations) or "restore" (i.e., His covenant people); see my bias at Contextual Insights. ▣ "all of them may call on the name of the Lord" This terminology implies an altar, a sacrifice, and the presence of the Lord. This is not just the speaking of a name (cf. Matt. 7:21-23) but an act of worship from the heart (cf. Deut. 10:16). SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON THE NAME (Isa. 12:4) SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: THE NAME OF THE LORD (NT) ▣ "To serve Him shoulder to shoulder" This is a Hebrew idiom for unity (i.e., one burden, two carriers). 3:10 Some see this as referring only to dispersed, exiled Israel and Judah (cf. Zeph. 3:11-13) but the context of universal judgment (i.e., Zeph. 1:2-3,18; 2:3b,11) implies a universal opportunity for inclusion (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 12:4-5; 25:6-9; 42:6-12; 45:22-23; 49:5-6; 51:4-5; 56:6-8; 60:1-3; 66:23; Mic. 4:1-4; Mal. 1:11). There are three texts in Isaiah that speak specifically of the conversion of Ethiopia/Egypt ‒ Isa. 18:7; 19:18-25; 45:14. 3:10b "My worshipers, My dispersed ones" "My worshipers, The daughter of My dispersed ones" "my supplicants, my scattered ones" "my scattered people" "My suppliants" The JPSOA translates this line as no standard English translation. "Shall bring offerings to Me in Fair Puzai" The Jewish Study Bible offers three suggestions (p. 1241). "Fair scattered (i.e., Israel in exile), shall bring my offerings" "Fair Puzai (i.e., a faraway nation) shall bring my offering" (so too, AB, pp. 126, 135) "Fair scattered (i.e., Israel in exile), they (i.e., the nations) shall bring as my offering" (cf. Isa. 66:20) 3:11 "you" This is FEMININE SINGULAR and refers to Jerusalem (cf. Zeph. 3:2). ▣ YHWH will remove the wicked people from His people. the ones who rebel the proud ones the exulting ones the haughty ones (see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 797-799) It is hard for modern western people to acknowledge that sin and rebellion against God results in death and separation. The right and dignity of the individual in western thought has eclipsed the biblical view of God's righteous judgment. Some humans are going to die! A helpful book on this is John W. Wenham, The Goodness of God. ▣ "from your midst" There is a play on this word (BDB 899) in Zephaniah 3. Zeph. 3:1 ‒ Judah's corrupt leaders are in her midst Zeph. 3:5 ‒ YHWH is in her midst Zeph. 3:11 ‒ YHWH removes "the proud, exulting, haughty ones" from their midst Zeph. 3:12 ‒ YHWH leaves a humble lowly people in His midst Zeph. 3:15 ‒ YHWH, the King of Israel, is in her midst!
Sofonias 3:12-13
3:12-13 The people of YHWH will be characterized as humble (in a spiritual sense, cf. Zeph. 2:3) lowly those who take refuge in the name of the Lord do no wrong tell no lies, cf. Zech. 8:3,16 have no deceitful tongue God is their shepherd (i.e., Zeph. 3:13e,f). This is the result of the repentance of Zeph. 2:3. They are now secure in their land (i.e., "no one to make them tremble or be afraid," cf. Jer. 30:10; 46:27; Ezek. 34:28; 39:26; Mic. 4:4)! SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE IN THE OT
Sofonias 3:14-20
3:14 There is a series of IMPERATIVES. shout for joy ‒ BDB 943, KB 1247, Qal shout in triumph ‒ BDB 929, KB 1206, Hiphil rejoice ‒ BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal exult with all your heart ‒ BDB 759, KB 831, Qal Notice "Zion," "Israel" and "daughter of Jerusalem" are parallel. The strophe, Zeph. 3:14-20, is a psalm of joy. It is a contrast to the universal judgment of the rest of the book. The judgment of "that day" will bring about "a new day" (cf. Zeph. 3:9-10)! SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME) 3:15 The first two VERBS, "taken away" and "cleared away" are both FIRST PERSON PERFECTS. They refer to future actions of YHWH that have not yet happened, but the assurance that they will caused the author to state them as completed acts (i.e., PROPHETIC PERFECT; note Isa. 55:9-11). ▣ "The King of Israel, the Lord" YHWH is the true King of His covenant people; the earthly king was merely His representative (cf. 1 Sam. 8:5-7). The rabbis call Him "the King of the Universe"! Notice the two names for God that appear in Zeph. 3:17. The Lord (YHWH) your God (Elohim) A victorious warrior ‒ this is Holy War terminology for YHWH as the Divine Warrior, cf. Exod. 15:3; Deut. 1:30; Jos. 5:13-15; 1 Chr. 20:29; Ps. 24:8; Isa. 42:13; 59:17. The title "Lord of Hosts" reflects this same imagery. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. and D. SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS ▣ "is in your midst" This is the greatest promise (see note at Zeph. 3:11)! YHWH was with Moses. YHWH was in the midst of Israel. This Divine-human fellowship is the purpose of creation (cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 3:8). Humans were created for fellowship. Sin has separated us from our Creator. God's promises in Isaiah 7; 9; and 11 is that One is coming Who is "Emmanuel" (i.e., God with us). The Bible starts with God and mankind in fellowship in a garden (i.e., Genesis 1-2) and the Bible ends with God and mankind in fellowship in a garden (Revelation 21-22). His people will not need an earthly king because the Divine King is with them! One wonders how this relates to 1 Cor. 15:25-28. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL 3:16 This verse has two IMPERFECTS that function as JUSSIVES. do not be afraid ‒ BDB 431, KB 432 do not let our hands fall limp ‒ BDB 951, KB 1276 The lack of "fear" shows their faith in YHWH's word and presence. SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR 3:17 This verse repeats the great promise of Zeph. 3:15 ("in your midst"; see full note at Zeph. 3:11) and expresses God's joy (cf. Isa. 65:19) at the renewal of fellowship with His human creation. He will exult over you with joy (cf. Deut. 30:9; Isa. 62:5; 65:19; Jer. 32:41). He will renew you in His love (following the LXX, Peshitta; the MT has "be silent"; the difference is the Hebrew "r" and "d" confusion). He will rejoice over you with shout of joy. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE ▣ "A victorious warrior" See note at Zeph. 3:15. 3:18-20 This verse is uncertain in Hebrew (see JPSOA's footnote) but seems to address the exiled people of God who, one day, will be able to attend the feast days (cf. Exodus 23; Leviticus 23) in Jerusalem, in the temple again! These verses seem to address restored, repentant Israel/Judah. The Gentiles (cf. Zeph. 3:20) will recognize YHWH as Israel's God. They will praise Him (cf. Jer. 3:17,19; 4:2; 16:19; 33:9). He has a universal redemptive purpose in her! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN