Zephaniah 3:19

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Zephaniah 3:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.
Zephaniah 3:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Zephaniah 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee, etc.] Or, “I will do”f124; their business for them; “slay” them, as the Vulgate Latin version; and make an entire destruction of them, as the Targum; bring them to utter ruin. This must be understood of antichrist, both eastern and western, the Turk and Pope, and all the antichristian states that have afflicted the Jews, or shall attempt to distress them at the time of their conversion; and will be fulfilled at the time of the pouring out of the seven vials of God’s wrath upon them, which will issue in the entire undoing and ruin of them, especially the seventh and last of them; which, when poured out, will clear the world of all the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“undo--MAURER translates, "I will deal with," that is, as they deserve. Compare Eze 23:25, where the Hebrew is similarly translated. The destruction of Israel's foes precedes Israel's restoration (Isa 66:15-16). her that halteth--all that are helpless. Their weakness will be no barrier in the way of My restoring them. So in Psa 35:15, Margin, "halting" is used for adversity. Also Eze 34:16; Mic 4:6-7. I will get them praise, &c.--literally, "I will make them (to become) a praise and a name," &c. shame-- (Eze 34:29).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold, at that time I will undo - (Literally, I deal with . While God punisheth not, He seemeth to sit still Isaiah 18:4, be silent Habakkuk 1:13, asleep Psalms 44:23. Then He shall act, He shall “deal” according to their deserts with “all,” evil men or devils, “that afflict thee,” His Church. The prophecy looked for a larger fulfillment than the destruction of Jerusalem, since the Romans who, in God’s Hands, avenged the blood of His saints, themselves were among those who “afflicted her.” “And will save her,” the flock or sheep “that halteth” (see Micah 4:6-7), Dionysius: “imperfect in virtue and with trembling faith,” “and gather,” like a good and tender shepherd, “her that was driven…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Undo - I will break their power and dissolve their kingdom. That halteth - Who is in trouble and ready to fall. Driven out - Into remote countries. Zephaniah 3:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:19 God will turn his people’s former shame into glory and fame (see Deut 26:19; Isa 62:7; Mic 4:6-8; cp. 1 Pet 5:4).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will undo: Zep 3:15; Isa 25:9-12, Isa 26:11, Isa 41:11-16, Isa 43:14-17, Isa 49:25, Isa 49:26, Isa 51:22, Isa 51:23; Isa 66:14-16; Jer 30:16, Jer 46:28, Jer 51:35, Jer 51:36; Eze 39:17-22; Joe 3:2-9; Mic 7:10; Nah 1:11-14; Zac 2:8, Zac 2:9, Zac 12:3, Zac 12:4, Zac 14:2, Zac 14:3; Rev 19:17-21, Rev 20:9 and I will save: Jer 31:8; Eze 34:16; Mic 4:6, Mic 4:7; Heb 12:13 and I will: Isa 60:14, Isa 61:7, Isa 62:7; Jer 33:9; Eze 39:26 get them praise: Heb. set them for a praise where they have been put to shame: Heb. of their shame Zephaniah 3:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification