God’s Word Translation
Zephaniah 3:16
16On that day Jerusalem will be told, “Do not be afraid, Zion! Do not lose courage!”
Zephaniah 3:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
- New International Version (NIV)On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
- English Standard Version (ESV)On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.
- New King James Version (NKJV)In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.
Context of Zephaniah 3:16
14Sing happily, people of Zion! Shout loudly, Israel! Celebrate and rejoice with all your heart, people of Jerusalem. 15The Lord has reversed the judgments against you. He has forced out your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is with you. You will never fear disaster again. On that day Jerusalem will be told, “Do not be afraid, Zion! Do not lose courage!” 17The Lord your God is with you. He is a hero who saves you. He happily rejoices over you, renews you with his love, and celebrates over you with shouts of joy. 18“I will gather those among you who are troubled because of the festivals. They bear a burden of disgrace.
Read all of Zephaniah 3Zephaniah 3:16 word by word
בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא יֵאָמֵ֥ר לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם אַל־תִּירָ֑אִי צִיּ֖וֹן אַל־יִרְפּ֥וּ יָדָֽיִךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Zephaniah 3:16
- Isaiah 35:3Strengthen limp hands. Steady weak knees.
- Isaiah 40:9Go up a high mountain, Zion. Tell the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Jerusalem. Tell the good news! Raise your voice without fear. Tell the cities of Judah: “Here is your God!”
- Isaiah 41:10Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.
- Isaiah 43:1The Lord created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
- Isaiah 44:2The Lord made you, formed you in the womb, and will help you. This is what the Lord says: Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
- Isaiah 54:4Don’t be afraid, because you won’t be put to shame. Don’t be discouraged, because you won’t be disgraced. You’ll forget the shame you’ve had since you were young. You won’t remember the disgrace of your husband’s death anymore.
- Jeremiah 46:27“Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob. Don’t be terrified, Israel. I’m going to rescue you and your descendants from a faraway land, from the land where you are captives. Then Jacob’s descendants will again have undisturbed peace, and no one will make them afraid.
- Haggai 2:4“But now, Zerubbabel, be strong,” declares the Lord. “Chief Priest Joshua (son of Jehozadak), be strong. Everyone in the land, be strong,” declares the Lord. “Work, because I am with you,” declares the Lord of Armies.
- Zechariah 8:15So now I have again made plans, but this time to do good to Jerusalem and the people of Judah. Don’t be afraid.
- John 12:12On the next day the large crowd that had come to the Passover festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.
- Hebrews 12:12Strengthen your tired arms and weak knees.
- 2 Corinthians 4:1We don’t become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy.
- Galatians 6:9We can’t allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive ⌞everlasting life⌟ at the proper time, if we don’t give up.
- Ephesians 3:13So then, I ask you not to become discouraged by the troubles I suffer for you. In fact, my troubles bring you glory.
- Hebrews 12:3Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don’t become tired and give up.
- Revelation 2:3You have endured, suffered trouble because of my name, and have not grown weary.
Commentaries on Zephaniah 3:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Fear thou not - Thou shalt have no more captivities nor national afflictions. Let not thine hands be slack - This may refer, first, to the rebuilding of the temple of God, after the return from Babylon; and, secondly, to their diligence and zeal in the Christian Church.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not - For “perfect love casteth out fear” John 4:18; from where he saith, “Fear not, little flock; it is your Father‘s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” Luke 12:32. Who then and what should the Church or the faithful soul fear, since “mightier is He that is in her, than he that is in the world? And to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack,” through faint-heartedness (see Hebrews 12:12), but work with…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-20Verses 14-20 After the promises of taking away sin, follow promises of taking away trouble. When the cause is removed, the effect will cease. What makes a people holy, will make them happy. The precious promises made to the purified people, were to have full accomplishment in the gospel. These verses appear chiefly to relate to the future conversion and restoration of Israel, and the glorious times which are to follow. They show the abundant peace…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-20God shows his plans for a humble and pure group of his people (Zephaniah 3:9–13). He encourages them to rejoice in the coming abundant blessings from their saving Lord (Zephaniah 3:14–20).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Let not thine hands be slack--(He 12:12). Do not faint in the work of the Lord.Read the comment
Topics related to Zephaniah 3:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Zephaniah 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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