Zephaniah 3:5
Zephaniah 3:5 in Multiple Translations
The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame.
The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Jehovah 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.
The Lord in her is upright; he will not do evil; every morning he lets his righteousness be seen, he is unchanging; but the evil-doer has no sense of shame.
But the Lord who does right is still among you, he does no wrong. Every morning he gives his judgment, every day without fail. But those who act unjustly have no shame.
The iust Lord is in the middes thereof: he will doe none iniquitie: euery morning doeth hee bring his iudgement to light, he faileth not: but the wicked will not learne to be ashamed.
Jehovah [is] righteous in her midst, He doth not do perverseness, Morning by morning His judgment he giveth to the light, It hath not been lacking, And the perverse doth not know shame.
The LORD, within her, is righteous. He will do no wrong. Every morning he brings his justice to light. He doesn’t fail, but the unjust know no shame.
The just LORD is in the midst of her; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
The just Lord is in the midst thereof, he will not do iniquity: in the morning, in the morning he will bring his judgment to light, and it shall not be hid: but the wicked man hath not known shame.
But Yahweh is also in the city; and he never does what is wrong. He treats people justly/fairly; he does that every day, but wicked people are never ashamed about their doing what is wrong.
Berean Amplified Bible — Zephaniah 3:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Zephaniah 3:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְהוָ֤ה
צַדִּיק֙
בְּ/קִרְבָּ֔/הּ
לֹ֥א
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
עַוְלָ֑ה
בַּ/בֹּ֨קֶר
בַּ/בֹּ֜קֶר
מִשְׁפָּט֨/וֹ
יִתֵּ֤ן
לָ/אוֹר֙
לֹ֣א
נֶעְדָּ֔ר
וְ/לֹֽא
יוֹדֵ֥עַ
עַוָּ֖ל
בֹּֽשֶׁת
יְהוָ֤ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
צַדִּיק֙
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
בְּ/קִרְבָּ֔/הּ
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms | Suff
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עַוְלָ֑ה
ʻevel
H5766
injustice
N-cs
בַּ/בֹּ֨קֶר
bôqer
H1242
morning
Prep | N-ms
בַּ/בֹּ֜קֶר
bôqer
H1242
morning
Prep | N-ms
מִשְׁפָּט֨/וֹ
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-ms | Suff
יִתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָ/אוֹר֙
ʼôwr
H216
light
Prep | N-cs
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
נֶעְדָּ֔ר
ʻădar
H5737
to help
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יוֹדֵ֥עַ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal
עַוָּ֖ל
ʻavvâl
H5767
unjust
N-ms
בֹּֽשֶׁת
bôsheth
H1322
shame
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Zephaniah 3:5
יְהוָ֤ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
צַדִּיק֙
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
בְּ/קִרְבָּ֔/הּ
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
עַוְלָ֑ה
ʻevel
H5766
"injustice"
N-cs
Injustice or moral evil is what this word represents, covering violent deeds, unfair speech, and general wrongdoing. It is used to describe actions that go against God's standards of righteousness.
Definition: injustice, unrighteousness Another spelling of av.lah (עַוְלָה "injustice" H5766B)
Usage: Occurs in 51 OT verses. KJV: iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly), unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness). See also: Leviticus 19:15; Psalms 64:7; Psalms 7:4.
בַּ/בֹּ֨קֶר
bôqer
H1242
"morning"
Prep | N-ms
The break of day or morning, a time of new beginnings, as in the morning sacrifices in Exodus 29:39 or the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week in John 20:1.
Definition: 1) morning, break of day 1a) morning 1a1) of end of night 1a2) of coming of daylight 1a3) of coming of sunrise 1a4) of beginning of day 1a5) of bright joy after night of distress (fig.) 1b) morrow, next day, next morning
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. See also: Genesis 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:11; Psalms 5:4.
בַּ/בֹּ֜קֶר
bôqer
H1242
"morning"
Prep | N-ms
The break of day or morning, a time of new beginnings, as in the morning sacrifices in Exodus 29:39 or the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week in John 20:1.
Definition: 1) morning, break of day 1a) morning 1a1) of end of night 1a2) of coming of daylight 1a3) of coming of sunrise 1a4) of beginning of day 1a5) of bright joy after night of distress (fig.) 1b) morrow, next day, next morning
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) day, early, morning, morrow. See also: Genesis 1:5; 1 Samuel 11:11; Psalms 5:4.
מִשְׁפָּט֨/וֹ
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-ms | Suff
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
יִתֵּ֤ן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
לָ/אוֹר֙
ʼôwr
H216
"light"
Prep | N-cs
Light, including natural light from the sun or stars, and also spiritual light from God. It can refer to happiness, prosperity, or understanding. In the Bible, God is often described as the source of light and life.
Definition: 1) light 1a) light of day 1b) light of heavenly luminaries (moon, sun, stars) 1c) day-break, dawn, morning light 1d) daylight 1e) lightning 1f) light of lamp 1g) light of life 1h) light of prosperity 1i) light of instruction 1j) light of face (fig.) 1k) Jehovah as Israel's light
Usage: Occurs in 110 OT verses. KJV: bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun. See also: Genesis 1:3; Psalms 78:14; Psalms 4:7.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נֶעְדָּ֔ר
ʻădar
H5737
"to help"
V-Niphal-Perf-3ms
To lack means to not have enough of something or to be missing something. In the Bible, it can also mean to dig or to fail at something. This concept is used to describe various situations.
Definition: 1) to help 1a) (Qal) to help
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: dig, fail, keep (rank), lack. See also: 1 Samuel 30:19; Isaiah 7:25; Isaiah 5:6.
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יוֹדֵ֥עַ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
עַוָּ֖ל
ʻavvâl
H5767
"unjust"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means being morally evil or unjust, describing someone who does wrong. It appears in the Bible to describe unrighteous people. The KJV translates it as unjust or wicked.
Definition: unjust one, perverse one, unrighteous one
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: unjust, unrighteous, wicked. See also: Job 18:21; Job 29:17; Zephaniah 3:5.
בֹּֽשֶׁת
bôsheth
H1322
"shame"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for shame describes a feeling of embarrassment or guilt, and can also refer to something that causes shame. It is used in the Bible to describe feelings of shame or embarrassment, as in Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) shame 1a) shame 1b) shameful thing
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: ashamed, confusion, [phrase] greatly, (put to) shame(-ful thing). See also: 1 Samuel 20:30; Isaiah 54:4; Psalms 35:26.
Study Notes — Zephaniah 3:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Zephaniah 3:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Zephaniah 3:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zephaniah 3:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
- Cambridge Bible on Zephaniah 3:5
- Barnes' Notes on Zephaniah 3:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
- Sermons on Zephaniah 3:5
Context — Judgment on Jerusalem
3Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.
4Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.
5The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame.
6“I have cut off the nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have made their streets deserted with no one to pass through. Their cities are laid waste, with no man, no inhabitant. 7I said, ‘Surely you will fear Me and accept correction.’ Then her dwelling place would not be cut off despite all for which I punished her. But they rose early to corrupt all their deeds.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 32:4 | He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He. |
| 2 | Psalms 145:17 | The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. |
| 3 | Lamentations 3:23 | They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! |
| 4 | Zephaniah 3:15 | The LORD has taken away your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you; no longer will you fear any harm. |
| 5 | Isaiah 12:6 | Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel.” |
| 6 | Zephaniah 3:17 | The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 23:14 | For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, lest He see anything unclean among you and turn away from you. |
| 8 | Isaiah 28:19 | As often as it passes through, it will carry you away; it will sweep through morning after morning, by day and by night.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror. |
| 9 | 1 Peter 1:17 | Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. |
| 10 | Micah 7:9 | Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness. |
Zephaniah 3:5 Summary
[This verse reminds us that even when things seem unfair or unjust, God is always working behind the scenes to bring about justice and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 37:5-7 and Isaiah 40:27-31. He is a God of perfect justice and mercy, and we can trust Him to work all things out for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28. The fact that the unjust 'know no shame' highlights the importance of living with integrity and humility, acknowledging our wrongdoing and seeking God's forgiveness, as encouraged in 1 John 1:8-9 and Proverbs 28:13.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the LORD is 'within her' in Zephaniah 3:5?
This phrase refers to God's presence within the city of Jerusalem, emphasizing His constant and abiding relationship with His people, as seen in Jeremiah 31:33 and Ezekiel 37:26-28.
Why does the verse say the unjust 'know no shame'?
This phrase highlights the hardness of heart that can develop in those who refuse to acknowledge and repent of their wrongdoing, a theme also explored in Romans 3:10-18 and Jeremiah 6:15.
How does God 'apply His justice morning by morning'?
This expression suggests that God is consistently and faithfully working out His justice in the world, a concept echoed in Psalm 119:90 and Lamentations 3:22-23, where His mercies and faithfulness are new every morning.
What is the relationship between God's justice and human shame in this verse?
The verse contrasts God's righteous justice with the lack of shame in the unjust, implying that those who refuse to acknowledge their wrongdoing will ultimately face the consequences of God's justice, as seen in Proverbs 10:9 and Isaiah 66:24.
Reflection Questions
- How can I cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence and justice in my own life, and what impact might this have on my relationships and decisions?
- In what ways do I see the 'unjust know no shame' principle at work in the world around me, and how can I respond in a way that honors God's justice and righteousness?
- What does it mean for me to 'fear God and accept correction' in my own life, as implied in the surrounding verses, and how can I practically apply this principle in my daily walk with Him?
- How can I balance the truth of God's justice with the reality of His mercy and forgiveness, as seen in verses like Psalm 103:8-12 and Luke 15:11-32?
Gill's Exposition on Zephaniah 3:5
The just Lord [is] in the midst thereof,.... In the midst of the city of Jerusalem, where those princes, judges, prophets and priests, were, that behaved so ill, and saw and observed all their evil
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Zephaniah 3:5
The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
The just Lord is in the midst thereof: though unjust princes, judges, prophets, and priests do not think so, yet the Lord who is most just is in the midst of them; possibly the sanhedrim; he observeth all, condemneth their violence and injustice, he is sovereign as Lord, and just as Judge. lie will not do iniquity; to him it appertaineth to judge all, therefore the unjust shall be punished as well as the just approved. Every morning doth he bring his judgment to light; daily he discovereth his displeasure against the wicked, and punisheth them. He faileth not; lets not one fit season slip to convince and awaken secure sinners, by public and visible punishments, or judgments. But the unjust knoweth no shame; but the wicked Jews proceed impudently, without shame, and without fear or amendment: there is no hope of better where is no shame for worst of doings, .
Trapp's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
Zephaniah 3:5 The just LORD [is] in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.Ver. 5. The just Lord is in the midst thereof] The unjust princes were said to be in the midst of Jerusalem as roaring lions, Zephaniah 3:3. Here the just Lord is also said to be in the midst of her, as a sin revenging judge. He sitteth as God in the midst of those uncircumcised vicegods (as I may in the worst sense best term them), he sets a jealous eye upon all their unrighteous proceedings, and is with them in the judgment. Neither eyeth he them only, but all others in like sort; as the king in the Gospel came in to see his guests. His eye, like a well drawn picture, taketh view of all that come into the room. Oh that we could be in his fear all the day! Oh that we would ever walk in the sense of his presence, and light of his countenance! Noli peccare, nam Deus videt, angeli astant, diabolus accusabit, conscientia testabitur, Infernus cruciabit. Sin not; for God sees you, the good angels stand about you, Satan will accuse you, conscience will give in evidence against you, hell will torment you.
A reverend and religious man had this written before his eyes in his study. He will not do iniquity] i.e. He will not let enormities go unpunished, nor pass by the infirmities of his people without a sensible check, Psalms 99:8. See Habakkuk 1:13. Every morning doth he bring his judgment to light] Daily and diligently doth he both threaten by his prophets and execute with his hand the menaces of his mouth upon those that will not be warned, that refuse to be reformed. He hath in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, 2 Corinthians 10:6. Maturely he will do it, and accurately; it is his morning’ s work, Psalms 101:8, like as it is theirs to rise early, and corrupt all their doings, Zephaniah 3:7. He will be up and at it as soon as they. He faileth not] As he may seem to do when he forbeareth. Non deest, he will not be wanting to his office to proceed against the uncounsellable.
But the unjust knoweth no shame] He can blush no more than a sackbut, as the proverb is. Such an impudence hath sin woaded in his face, that he basheth nothing. Et pudet non esse impudentem, he is past all grace, as we say, and as good at resisting the Holy Ghost as ever those Jews were that had a whore’ s forehead, Jeremiah 3:3, sinews of iron and brows of brass, Isaiah 48:4. When neither fear of God nor shame of the world will rein men in, what hope is there of such? Illum ego periisse dico cui periit pudor, saith Curtius, a heathen. He is an undone man that knoweth no shame.
Ellicott's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
(5-7) In contradistinction to this universal corruption, Jehovah daily exemplifies the law of righteousness, yet sinners are not moved to repentance (Zephaniah 3:5). He sets forth the great judgments He has executed on other sinful nations, but the warning is not heeded (Zephaniah 3:6-7).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
Verse 5. The just Lord is in the midst thereof] He sees, marks down, and will punish all these wickednesses. Every morning doth he bring his judgment to light] The sense is, says Bp. Newcome, "Not a day passes but we see instances of his goodness to righteous men, and of his vengeance on the wicked."
Cambridge Bible on Zephaniah 3:5
5. All these wrongs they practise undeterred and uninstructed by the presence and operations of the righteous Lord in the midst of them. The just Lord is] Rather: The LORD is righteous in the midst of her. Jehovah dwells in the midst of Jerusalem and is seen to be righteous both by His word and works, but the people are insensible and receive no impression from His presence and nature. Jeremiah 11:20. will not do iniquity] Or, doeth no unrighteousness; Deuteronomy 32:4. Every morning … his judgment to light] Morning by morning, i.e. every morning, constantly, He brings His just judgment or justice to light; His moral rule is as constant and as visible as the material law that brings in the dawn. Cf. Hosea 6:5 (read: my judgment goeth forth like the light). the unjust knoweth no shame] The unrighteous, untouched by the righteousness of God and receiving no impression from His rule, though exercised before his eyes, pursues his own unrighteous way with no feeling of shame. Jeremiah 3:3; Jeremiah 6:15; Jeremiah 8:12.
Barnes' Notes on Zephaniah 3:5
But, beside these “evening wolves in the midst of her,” there standeth Another “in the midst of her,” whom they knew not, and so, very near to them although they would not draw near to Him.
Whedon's Commentary on Zephaniah 3:5
WOE UPON THE CITY OF , Zephaniah 3:1-7.In Zephaniah 3:1, the prophet turns once more to Jerusalem, “the rebellious and unclean, the city of oppression.” He strikes the same notes as in chapter i,
Sermons on Zephaniah 3:5
| Sermon | Description | |
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He Will Soon Rejoice in His Love by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God will do a work in believers, helping them understand true strength and truth. He assures that with this understanding, believers wi |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 160 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on Jesus and trusting in Him, even in difficult circumstances. He references the story of Peter walking on water |
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The Doctrine of Repentance by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches on the Doctrine of Repentance, emphasizing the essential nature of repentance as a grace of God's Spirit that humbles and reforms sinners. He highlights the |
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Bible Survey - Zephaniah by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Zephaniah, who delivered prophecies during the reign of King Josiah, calling for repentance and seeking righteousness and humility. Zephaniah' |
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Where to Find Spiritual Reality & How to Get It by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of spiritual reality and the need for believers to actively cooperate with the Holy Spirit. He explains that spiritual realit |
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Of the Holiness of God. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the holiness of God as an essential and immutable attribute that defines His nature and essence. He explains that God's holiness is the foundation of His perfe |
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The Duties of Parents by J.C. Ryle | In this sermon, the preacher delves into the concept of divine inspiration of the Scriptures, emphasizing that every word of Scripture is God-breathed, not originating from human w |