Zephaniah 3:19
Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
Original Language Analysis
עֹשֶׂ֛ה
I will undo
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֛ה
I will undo
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
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 #:
4 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְעַנַּ֖יִךְ
all that afflict
H6031
מְעַנַּ֖יִךְ
all that afflict
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
5 of 18
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
בָּעֵ֣ת
Behold at that time
H6256
בָּעֵ֣ת
Behold at that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
6 of 18
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֑יא
H1931
הַהִ֑יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 18
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְהוֹשַׁעְתִּ֣י
thee and I will save
H3467
וְהוֹשַׁעְתִּ֣י
thee and I will save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהַנִּדָּחָה֙
her that was driven out
H5080
וְהַנִּדָּחָה֙
her that was driven out
Strong's:
H5080
Word #:
11 of 18
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
וְשַׂמְתִּים֙
and I will get
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּים֙
and I will get
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 18
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לִתְהִלָּ֣ה
them praise
H8416
לִתְהִלָּ֣ה
them praise
Strong's:
H8416
Word #:
14 of 18
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
וּלְשֵׁ֔ם
and fame
H8034
וּלְשֵׁ֔ם
and fame
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
15 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Isaiah 60:14The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.Jeremiah 30:16Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for a prey.Zephaniah 3:15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.Micah 7:10Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets.Ezekiel 34:16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.Isaiah 61:7For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.Jeremiah 33:9And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.Hebrews 12:13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.Isaiah 60:18Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.Ezekiel 39:26After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.
Historical Context
Jews experienced contempt in Babylonian and later diasporas. However, under Persian rule, Esther records Jewish honor (Esther 8:15-17, 9:3-4). Ultimate fulfillment awaits the Messiah's kingdom, when redeemed Israel is honored globally. The church's spread—grafting Gentiles into Israel's olive tree (Romans 11:17)—begins this reversal.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's promise to 'undo' your afflicters give hope when justice seems delayed?
- What does it mean that God saves 'her that halteth'—those who limp spiritually, stumbling in weakness?
- Where have you experienced shame, and how does God's promise to give 'praise and fame' reshape your perspective?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee (hineni oseh et-kol-me'annayikh)—'Undo' (oseh) means actively deal with, judge, or destroy. God will reverse the oppressor-oppressed dynamic, settling accounts with those who afflicted His people.
And I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out (ve'hoshi'ah et-hatsolea'ah ve'hanidachah aqabets)—'Her that halteth' (tsolea'ah) means limping, injured, helpless—Micah 4:6-7 uses identical language. 'Driven out' (nidachah) describes forcible exile. God specializes in redeeming the helpless (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).
And I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame—A complete reversal: from shame to praise, from disgrace to fame (shem u'tehillah). This anticipates Israel's eschatological exaltation (Isaiah 60:15, 62:7, Zechariah 8:13, 23).