And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
Read it in contextThe Day of the LORD
Start reading at Zephaniah 1:7 (Zephaniah 1:7 to Zephaniah 1:18).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening exposes Judah's sins and describes the severity of the approaching day of the LORD.
1:7Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.
1:8And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
1:9In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
1:10And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.
1:11Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.
1:12And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.
1:13Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.
1:14The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
1:15That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
1:16A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
1:17And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
1:18Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Zephaniah, whose ancestry is given in the opening verse, is the named prophet and traditional author. Biblical references: Zephaniah 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Zephaniah 1:1–1:18): Judah and Jerusalem, including officials, royal sons, merchants, and complacent inhabitants, are warned of the day of the LORD. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem during Josiah's reign, with judgments extending to neighboring nations and hope directed to the remnant. Biblical references: Zephaniah 1:1; Zephaniah 1:4; Zephaniah 3:13. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The Day of the LORD. Read Zephaniah 1:7 through Zephaniah 1:18 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening exposes Judah's sins and describes the severity of the approaching day of the LORD. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The opening places Zephaniah's words in Josiah's reign. The coming day and promised restoration are subjects of the prophecy. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah and Jerusalem are central, with surrounding nations also addressed. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Day of the LORD (Zephaniah 1:7 to Zephaniah 1:18).
Start reading at Zephaniah 1:7. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The promised gathering and the LORD's presence can be read alongside the New Testament's hope in Christ. Specific symbolic or chronological equivalences require separate evidence. See Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 1:23, Revelation 21:3. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Seek humility and righteousness rather than presume that membership in a religious community removes accountability. Read the promises of restoration with the preceding calls and rebukes. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Zephaniah 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zephaniah's opening places his prophecy in Josiah's reign. The book announces judgment on Judah and the nations, calls for seeking the LORD, and ends with restoration and rejoicing. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening exposes Judah's sins and describes the severity of the approaching day of the LORD.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening exposes Judah's sins and describes the severity of the approaching day of the LORD.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Zephaniah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zephaniah's opening places his prophecy in Josiah's reign. The book announces judgment on Judah and the nations, calls for seeking the LORD, and ends with restoration and rejoicing.