Zephaniah 1:4

Authorized King James Version

I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנָטִ֤יתִי
H5186
I will also stretch out
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#2
יָדִי֙
H3027
mine hand
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
#3
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#4
יְהוּדָ֔ה
H3063
upon Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#5
וְעַ֖ל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#7
יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י
H3427
and upon all the inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#8
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
H3389
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#9
וְהִכְרַתִּ֞י
H3772
and I will cut off
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
#10
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#11
הַמָּק֤וֹם
H4725
from this place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#12
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#13
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#14
שְׁאָ֣ר
H7605
the remnant
a remainder
#15
הַבַּ֔עַל
H1168
of Baal
baal, a phoenician deity
#16
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#17
שֵׁ֥ם
H8034
and the name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#18
הַכְּמָרִ֖ים
H3649
of the Chemarims
properly, an ascetic (as if shrunk with self-maceration), i.e., an idolatrous priest (only in plural)
#19
עִם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#20
הַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃
H3548
with the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection