Zephaniah 3:8

Authorized King James Version

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לָכֵ֤ן
H3651
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#2
חַכּוּ
H2442
Therefore wait
properly, to adhere to; hence, to await
#3
לִי֙
H0
#4
נְאֻם
H5002
ye upon me saith
an oracle
#5
יְהוָ֔ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#6
לְי֖וֹם
H3117
until the day
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
#7
קוּמִ֣י
H6965
that I rise up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#8
לְעַ֑ד
H5706
to the prey
booty
#9
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
מִשְׁפָּטִי֩
H4941
for my determination
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#11
לֶאֱסֹ֨ף
H622
is to gather
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#12
גּוֹיִ֜ם
H1471
the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#13
לְקָבְצִ֣י
H6908
that I may assemble
to grasp, i.e., collect
#14
מַמְלָכ֗וֹת
H4467
the kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#15
לִשְׁפֹּ֨ךְ
H8210
to pour
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#16
עֲלֵיהֶ֤ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
זַעְמִי֙
H2195
upon them mine indignation
strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)
#18
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
חֲר֣וֹן
H2740
even all my fierce
a burning of anger
#20
אַפִּ֔י
H639
anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#21
כִּ֚י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#22
בְּאֵ֣שׁ
H784
with the fire
fire (literally or figuratively)
#23
קִנְאָתִ֔י
H7068
of my jealousy
jealousy or envy
#24
תֵּאָכֵ֖ל
H398
shall be devoured
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#25
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#26
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
H776
for all the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Zephaniah, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of kingdom connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about kingdom, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Zephaniah.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood kingdom. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection