Zephaniah 3:13

Authorized King James Version

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The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

Original Language Analysis

שְׁאֵרִ֨ית The remnant H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֨ית The remnant
Strong's: H7611
Word #: 1 of 19
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 2 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲשׂ֤וּ shall not do H6213
יַעֲשׂ֤וּ shall not do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 4 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עַוְלָה֙ iniquity H5766
עַוְלָה֙ iniquity
Strong's: H5766
Word #: 5 of 19
(moral) evil
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְדַבְּר֣וּ nor speak H1696
יְדַבְּר֣וּ nor speak
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 7 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כָזָ֔ב lies H3577
כָזָ֔ב lies
Strong's: H3577
Word #: 8 of 19
falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמָּצֵ֥א be found H4672
יִמָּצֵ֥א be found
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 10 of 19
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
בְּפִיהֶ֖ם in their mouth H6310
בְּפִיהֶ֖ם in their mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 11 of 19
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
לְשׁ֣וֹן tongue H3956
לְשׁ֣וֹן tongue
Strong's: H3956
Word #: 12 of 19
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
תַּרְמִ֑ית neither shall a deceitful H8649
תַּרְמִ֑ית neither shall a deceitful
Strong's: H8649
Word #: 13 of 19
fraud
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 14 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֵ֛מָּה H1992
הֵ֛מָּה
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 15 of 19
they (only used when emphatic)
יִרְע֥וּ for they shall feed H7462
יִרְע֥וּ for they shall feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 16 of 19
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
וְרָבְצ֖וּ and lie down H7257
וְרָבְצ֖וּ and lie down
Strong's: H7257
Word #: 17 of 19
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
וְאֵ֥ין H369
וְאֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 18 of 19
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
מַחֲרִֽיד׃ and none shall make them afraid H2729
מַחֲרִֽיד׃ and none shall make them afraid
Strong's: H2729
Word #: 19 of 19
to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

Cross References

Revelation 14:5And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.Isaiah 60:21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.Micah 4:7And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.Zephaniah 2:7And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.Isaiah 17:2The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.Micah 4:4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.Isaiah 54:14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.Jeremiah 30:10Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.Jeremiah 31:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.Jeremiah 23:4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

Analysis & Commentary

The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies—this verse describes the purified remnant's moral character. "Remnant" (she'erit Yisra'el, שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל) refers to those preserved through judgment, the faithful subset surviving divine winnowing. "Shall not do iniquity" (lo ya'asu avlah, לֹא־יַעֲשׂוּ עַוְלָה) uses avlah (עַוְלָה) meaning injustice, unrighteousness, or wrong—particularly social and economic oppression. The remnant practices covenant justice toward others. "Nor speak lies" (ve-lo yedaberu khazav, וְלֹא־יְדַבְּרוּ כָזָב) condemns falsehood, deception, and dishonest speech—contrasting with corrupt leaders and false prophets (3:4).

Neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth—ve-lo yimatse be-ppihem leshon tarmit (וְלֹא־יִמָּצֵא בְּפִיהֶם לְשׁוֹן תַּרְמִית) intensifies the point through parallelism. "Deceitful tongue" (leshon tarmit, לְשׁוֹן תַּרְמִית) emphasizes fraudulent, crafty speech designed to deceive and exploit. The phrase "shall not be found" suggests thorough examination reveals no hidden deceit—complete internal and external integrity. This describes regenerate hearts producing righteous words and deeds (Matthew 12:34-35, James 3:2-12).

For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid—ki-hemah yir'u ve-ravesu ve-en macharid (כִּי־הֵמָּה יִרְעוּ וְרָבְצוּ וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד) uses pastoral imagery of secure sheep. "Feed" (ra'ah, רָעָה) means to pasture or graze, suggesting abundant provision. "Lie down" (ravats, רָבַץ) depicts rest and security—sheep lying down signals no predator threat. "None shall make them afraid" promises freedom from terror, anxiety, and danger. This echoes covenant blessings (Leviticus 26:6, Ezekiel 34:25-28) and anticipates the Good Shepherd's provision (Psalm 23, John 10:11-18). The remnant's righteousness produces security; walking in God's ways brings peace (Isaiah 32:17-18). This contrasts with the wicked who "are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest...There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:20-21).

Historical Context

Zephaniah's description of the righteous remnant contrasts sharply with pre-exilic Jerusalem characterized by injustice, lies, and deceit (3:1-4). The exile purged corruption, producing a faithful remnant committed to covenant obedience. Historical fulfillment began with the post-exilic community. Jews returning from Babylon showed remarkable transformation: permanent abandonment of idolatry, renewed commitment to Torah, emphasis on justice and truth. Ezra and Nehemiah record the community's covenant renewal and commitment to righteous living (Nehemiah 9-10).

This didn't mean sinless perfection—post-exilic books address ongoing struggles with intermarriage, Sabbath-breaking, and neglect of temple support. Yet the character transformation was real: the besetting sins of pre-exilic Israel (idolatry, false prophecy, social oppression) largely disappeared. The community that preserved Scripture, maintained worship, and prepared for Messiah's coming demonstrated the remnant character Zephaniah prophesied.

The New Testament church inherits remnant identity. Paul identifies believers as the true Israel, the remnant chosen by grace (Romans 9:6-8, 11:1-5). Peter describes the church using language previously applied to Israel: chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). The remnant's characteristics—righteousness, truthfulness, security—should mark believers, though full realization awaits glorification. Sanctification progressively conforms believers to this pattern; glorification will complete it when Christ returns and sin is finally removed (1 John 3:2-3, Revelation 21:27).

Questions for Reflection