Zephaniah 2:3

Authorized King James Version

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Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

Original Language Analysis

בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ Seek H1245
בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ Seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 1 of 18
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD'S H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD'S
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַנְוֵ֣י all ye meek H6035
עַנְוֵ֣י all ye meek
Strong's: H6035
Word #: 5 of 18
depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly)
הָאָ֔רֶץ of the earth H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 6 of 18
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 7 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מִשְׁפָּט֖וֹ his judgment H4941
מִשְׁפָּט֖וֹ his judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 8 of 18
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
פָּעָ֑לוּ which have wrought H6466
פָּעָ֑לוּ which have wrought
Strong's: H6466
Word #: 9 of 18
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ Seek H1245
בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ Seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 10 of 18
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
צֶ֙דֶק֙ righteousness H6664
צֶ֙דֶק֙ righteousness
Strong's: H6664
Word #: 11 of 18
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ Seek H1245
בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ Seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 12 of 18
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
עֲנָוָ֔ה meekness H6038
עֲנָוָ֔ה meekness
Strong's: H6038
Word #: 13 of 18
condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency)
אוּלַי֙ it may be H194
אוּלַי֙ it may be
Strong's: H194
Word #: 14 of 18
if not; hence perhaps
תִּסָּ֣תְר֔וּ ye shall be hid H5641
תִּסָּ֣תְר֔וּ ye shall be hid
Strong's: H5641
Word #: 15 of 18
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
בְּי֖וֹם in the day H3117
בְּי֖וֹם in the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 16 of 18
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
אַף anger H639
אַף anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 17 of 18
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD'S H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ of the LORD'S
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 18 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth (בַּקְּשׁוּ אֶת־יְהוָה כָּל־עַנְוֵי הָאָרֶץ baqshu et-YHWH kol-anvei ha'aretz)—A threefold 'seek' follows: seek the LORD, seek righteousness, seek meekness. The 'meek' (anvei) are not weak but those who have submitted to God's authority.

Which have wrought his judgment—Those who have already obeyed God's mishpat (justice/judgment) are called to intensify their pursuit. It may be ye shall be hid (אוּלַי תִּסָּתְרוּ ulai tissateru)—'Perhaps you will be hidden.' No presumption, only hope grounded in God's character. This echoes Noah 'hidden' in the ark (Genesis 7:16) and the Passover 'covering' (Exodus 12:13)—salvation is by divine hiding, not human merit.

Historical Context

The 'meek of the earth' likely refers to the faithful remnant who hadn't bowed to Baal during Manasseh's reign (2 Kings 21:1-16). God preserved a remnant through Babylon's invasion (2 Kings 25:12, Jeremiah 39:10), literally 'hiding' them in exile.

Questions for Reflection