Zephaniah 3:20
At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וּבָעֵ֖ת
At that time
H6256
וּבָעֵ֖ת
At that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
1 of 21
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִיא֙
H1931
הַהִיא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 21
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
אָבִ֣יא
will I bring
H935
אָבִ֣יא
will I bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבָעֵ֖ת
At that time
H6256
וּבָעֵ֖ת
At that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
5 of 21
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶתֵּ֨ן
you for I will make
H5414
אֶתֵּ֨ן
you for I will make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶתְכֶ֜ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֜ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְשֵׁ֣ם
you a name
H8034
לְשֵׁ֣ם
you a name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
11 of 21
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְלִתְהִלָּ֗ה
and a praise
H8416
וְלִתְהִלָּ֗ה
and a praise
Strong's:
H8416
Word #:
12 of 21
laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
בְּכֹל֙
H3605
בְּכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמֵּ֣י
among all people
H5971
עַמֵּ֣י
among all people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּשׁוּבִ֧י
when I turn back
H7725
בְּשׁוּבִ֧י
when I turn back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
16 of 21
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁבוּתֵיכֶ֛ם
your captivity
H7622
שְׁבוּתֵיכֶ֛ם
your captivity
Strong's:
H7622
Word #:
18 of 21
exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
Cross References
Jeremiah 29:14And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.Malachi 3:12And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 56:5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.Isaiah 60:15Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.Amos 9:14And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.Joel 3:1For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,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.Zephaniah 3:19Behold, 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.Isaiah 66:22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.Isaiah 61:9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
Historical Context
Partial fulfillment: Persian decree allowing return (Ezra 1:1-4), Nehemiah's rebuilding, Esther's influence. But full-scale restoration to glory never occurred. Thus, Zephaniah's prophecy points beyond the exile's return to the Messianic age when the true Israel—the church—receives honor as God's people gathered from all nations (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of restoration 'before your eyes' address the longing for tangible, experienced salvation?
- In what sense is the church the fulfillment of Israel's calling to be a 'name and praise' among all peoples?
- What 'captivity' do you need God to 'turn back'—spiritual bondage, relational brokenness, or systemic injustice?
Analysis & Commentary
At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you (ba'et ha-hi avi etkhem u'va'et kabetsi etkhem)—The doubling emphasizes certainty: 'the time I bring you' and 'the time I gather you' are identical—God's appointed moment (kairos).
For I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth (ki-eten etkhem le-shem ve'litehillah be-khol amei ha'aretz)—God will establish Israel as a 'name' (reputation) and 'praise' globally. This fulfills the Abrahamic covenant: 'In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed' (Genesis 12:3). Ultimately fulfilled in Christ, the seed of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed.
When I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD—The phrase 'before your eyes' emphasizes experiential reality—not abstract promise but lived restoration. 'Saith the LORD' (ne'um YHWH) is the prophetic authentication formula, guaranteeing fulfillment.