Zephaniah 1:7

Authorized King James Version

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Hold 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.

Original Language Analysis

הַ֕ס Hold thy peace H2013
הַ֕ס Hold thy peace
Strong's: H2013
Word #: 1 of 14
to hush
מִפְּנֵ֖י at the presence H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י at the presence
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 2 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲדֹנָ֣י of the Lord H136
אֲדֹנָ֣י of the Lord
Strong's: H136
Word #: 3 of 14
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
יְהוִ֑ה GOD H3069
יְהוִ֑ה GOD
Strong's: H3069
Word #: 4 of 14
god
כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
קָרוֹב֙ is at hand H7138
קָרוֹב֙ is at hand
Strong's: H7138
Word #: 6 of 14
near (in place, kindred or time)
י֣וֹם for the day H3117
י֣וֹם for the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 7 of 14
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
יְהוָ֛ה for the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֵכִ֧ין hath prepared H3559
הֵכִ֧ין hath prepared
Strong's: H3559
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
יְהוָ֛ה for the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
זֶ֖בַח a sacrifice H2077
זֶ֖בַח a sacrifice
Strong's: H2077
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
הִקְדִּ֥ישׁ he hath bid H6942
הִקְדִּ֥ישׁ he hath bid
Strong's: H6942
Word #: 13 of 14
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
קְרֻאָֽיו׃ his guests H7121
קְרֻאָֽיו׃ his guests
Strong's: H7121
Word #: 14 of 14
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

Cross References

Habakkuk 2:20But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.Zechariah 2:13Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.Isaiah 34:6The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.Jeremiah 46:10For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.Zephaniah 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.Isaiah 13:6Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.Isaiah 2:12For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:Matthew 22:4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.Joel 2:31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.1 Samuel 16:5And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

Analysis & Commentary

The command 'Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD' (has mip-peney Adonai YHWH) demands reverential silence before divine judgment. This isn't mere quietness but awestruck recognition of God's sovereign majesty and righteous wrath. The 'day of the LORD' arrives with sacrificial imagery: God has prepared a sacrifice (zebah) and consecrated His guests (qadash)—ironic language where Israel becomes the sacrifice and invading armies the guests. This reverses Israel's privileged position, showing that covenant relationship brings heightened accountability. The silence called for resembles Habakkuk 2:20's 'let all the earth keep silence before him'—appropriate response when the Holy Judge acts.

Historical Context

Zephaniah prophesied during Josiah's reign (640-609 BC), likely before his reforms (622 BC). Judah had endured Manasseh's wickedness (longest and most evil reign) followed by Amon's brief apostasy. Though Josiah pursued revival, deep-rooted idolatry persisted among the people. Zephaniah warned of coming Babylonian invasion (executed in 605, 597, and 586 BC) using Day of the LORD theology—God's decisive intervention in history to judge evil and vindicate righteousness. The prophet's noble lineage (traced to Hezekiah) gave him access to royal court and authority to speak boldly.

Questions for Reflection