Zephaniah 1:18
Neither 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.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
כַּסְפָּ֨ם
Neither their silver
H3701
כַּסְפָּ֨ם
Neither their silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
2 of 24
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
זְהָבָ֜ם
nor their gold
H2091
זְהָבָ֜ם
nor their gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
4 of 24
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוּכַ֣ל
shall be able
H3201
יוּכַ֣ל
shall be able
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
6 of 24
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לְהַצִּילָ֗ם
to deliver
H5337
לְהַצִּילָ֗ם
to deliver
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
7 of 24
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
בְּיוֹם֙
them in the day
H3117
בְּיוֹם֙
them in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 24
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD'S
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
but the whole land
H776
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
but the whole land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
15 of 24
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אַךְ
H389
נִבְהָלָה֙
even a speedy
H926
נִבְהָלָה֙
even a speedy
Strong's:
H926
Word #:
19 of 24
to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e., (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה
for he shall make
H6213
יַֽעֲשֶׂ֔ה
for he shall make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Zephaniah 3:8Therefore 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.Ezekiel 7:19They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.Proverbs 11:4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.Matthew 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?Genesis 6:7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.Isaiah 1:24Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:Psalms 79:5How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?Psalms 78:58For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.Job 21:30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.Proverbs 18:11The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
Historical Context
In 586 BC, Judah's wealthy elite who had exploited the poor (Zephaniah 1:8-9) saw their treasures plundered by Babylonians. Archaeological evidence shows treasures buried in haste, never recovered—silent testimony to wealth's impotence before judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What false securities (savings, insurance, investment portfolios) do you unconsciously trust for ultimate deliverance?
- How does understanding God's 'jealousy' as holy zeal rather than petty envy change your view of His commands for exclusive worship?
- What would a 'speedy riddance' look like for modern idolatries—materialism, nationalism, or self-righteousness?
Analysis & Commentary
Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them (כַּסְפָּם וּזְהָבָם kasapam u'zehabam)—Wealth is impotent before God's wrath. This echoes Ezekiel 7:19: 'They shall cast their silver in the streets.' What secured social status becomes useless for purchasing salvation.
The fire of his jealousy (אֵשׁ קִנְאָתוֹ esh kin'ato)—God's jealousy is not petty envy but righteous zeal for His own glory and His people's exclusive devotion. The term qin'ah describes a husband's jealousy over his wife (Numbers 5:14), appropriate since Israel's idolatry was spiritual adultery. A speedy riddance (כָּלָה נִבְהָלָה kalah nivhalah)—a terrified end, a complete and sudden destruction.