ZEP (Zephaniah)
ZEP.1 • ZEP.2 • ZEP.3
ZEP.1
[ZEP.1.1] The word of Yahveh which was to Tzefanyah son of Kushite son of Gedalya son of Amarya son of Hezekiah in the days of Joash son of Amon king of Judah. [§]
devar Yahveh asher haya el Tzefanyah ben Kushite ben Gedalya ben Amarya ben Chizqiyah bi yemei Yoashiyahu ben Amon melech Yehudah.
'devar' means 'word', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'asher' means 'that/which', 'haya' means 'was', 'el' means 'to/for', 'Tzefanyah' is a personal name, 'ben' means 'son of', 'Kushite' is a personal name meaning 'son of Kush', 'Gedalya' is a personal name, 'Amarya' is a personal name, 'Chizqiyah' is a personal name meaning 'Hezekiah', 'bi' means 'in', 'yemei' means 'the days of', 'Yoashiyahu' is a personal name meaning 'Joash', 'ben' means 'son of', 'Amon' is a personal name, 'melech' means 'king', 'Yehudah' means 'Judah'.
[ZEP.1.2] I will gather, I will gather all from over the face of the earth, says Yahveh. [§]
Asop asep kol me al p'nei ha'adamah ne'um Yahveh.
'Asop' means 'I will gather', 'asep' means 'I will gather' (repeated for emphasis), 'kol' means 'all', 'me' means 'from', 'al' means 'over' or 'above', 'p'nei' means 'the face of', 'ha'adamah' means 'the earth', 'ne'um' means 'says', and 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH.
[ZEP.1.3] Gather man and animal, gather the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea and the creeping things, the wicked; and I will cut off man from the face of the ground, declares Yahveh. [§]
Asaf adam uvehemah asaf of-hashamayim udeghei hayam vehamakshelot et-harshachim vehikhrati et-haadam me'al p'nei ha'adamah ne'um-Yahveh.
'Asaf' means 'gather' (verb); 'adam' means 'man'; 'uvehemah' means 'and animal'; the second 'asaf' again means 'gather'; 'of-hashamayim' means 'the birds of the heavens'; 'udeghei' means 'and fish of'; 'hayam' means 'the sea'; 'vehamakshelot' means 'and the creeping things'; 'et-harshachim' means 'the wicked' (direct object marker et); 'veikhrati' means 'and I will cut off'; 'et-haadam' means 'man' (direct object); 'me'al' means 'from'; 'p'nei' means 'the face of'; 'ha'adamah' means 'the ground'; 'ne'um-Yahveh' means 'declares Yahveh' (YHWH rendered as Yahveh).
[ZEP.1.4] And I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will cut off from this place the Baal worshiper and the name of the idols together with the priests. [§]
ve-nati'ti yadi al-Yehudah ve'al kol-yoshvei Yerushalayim ve-hichrati min-hamakom hazeh et-Shear haBa'al et-shem haKemarim im haKohanim.
've-nati'ti' means 'and I will stretch out', 'yadi' means 'my hand', 'al' means 'against', 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 've'al' means 'and against', 'kol' means 'all', 'yoshvei' means 'inhabitants of', 'Yerushalayim' means 'Jerusalem', 've-hichrati' means 'and I will cut off', 'min' means 'from', 'ha-makom' means 'the place', 'hazeh' means 'this', 'et' is the accusative marker (no direct translation), 'She'ar' means 'the Baal worshiper', 'haBa'al' means 'the Baal', 'et' again accusative marker, 'shem' means 'name', 'haKemarim' means 'the idols', 'im' means 'with', 'haKohanim' means 'the priests'.
[ZEP.1.5] And the worshippers upon the rooftops to the host of the heavens, and the worshippers the oath‑takers to Yahveh, and the oath‑takers under their king. [§]
ve'et ha-mishtachavim al ha-gagot li-tzeva ha-shamayim ve'et ha-mishtachavim ha-nishba'im la-Yahveh veha-nishba'im be-malkam.
've' means 'and', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'ha-mishtachavim' means 'the ones who bow' (or 'the worshippers'), 'al' means 'upon', 'ha-gagot' means 'the rooftops', 'li-tzeva' means 'to the host', 'ha-shamayim' means 'the heavens', the second 've'et ha-mishtachavim' repeats 'and the ones who bow', 'ha-nishba'im' means 'the oath‑takers' or 'those who have sworn', 'la-Yahveh' means 'to Yahveh' (the name YHVH rendered as Yahveh), 'veha-nishba'im' again 'and the oath‑takers', 'be-malkam' means 'in their king' or 'under their king'.
[ZEP.1.6] And the ones who turn away from Yahveh and those who did not seek Yahveh and did not inquire of him. [§]
ve'et-hannesogim me'acharei Yahveh va'asher lo bikshu et Yahveh velo drashu hu.
've'et' means 'and the' (the direct object marker). 'hannesogim' comes from the root n-s-g meaning 'to turn away' and is rendered 'ones who turn away' or 'forsakers'. 'me'acharei' means 'from behind' or 'away from'. 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH. 'va'asher' means 'and those who'. 'lo' means 'not'. 'bikshu' is the verb 'they sought' (from the root q-sh). 'et Yahveh' again marks the object 'Yahveh'. 'velo' means 'and not'. 'drashu' is the verb 'they inquired' or 'they sought' (from the root d-r-sh). 'hu' means 'him', referring back to Yahveh. The verse therefore speaks of people who turn away from Yahveh and who do not seek or inquire of Him.
[ZEP.1.7] Stop because of my Lord Yahveh, for the day of Yahveh is near, for Yahveh has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his called ones. [§]
Has mipnei Adonai Yahveh ki karov yom Yahveh ki-hekin Yahveh zevach hikdish k'ruav.
'Has' means 'Stop', 'mipnei' means 'because of', 'Adonai' means 'my Lord', 'Yahveh' is the divine name YHVH, 'ki' means 'for' or 'because', 'karov' means 'is near', 'yom' means 'day', the second 'Yahveh' repeats the divine name, 'ki-hekin' means 'because he has prepared', the third 'Yahveh' again the divine name, 'zevach' means 'sacrifice' or 'offering', 'hikdish' means 'has consecrated', 'k'ruav' means 'his called ones' or 'his chosen'.
[ZEP.1.8] And it shall be on the day of sacrifice Yahveh, and I will appoint over the princes and over the sons of the king and over all the clothed in foreign garments. [§]
vehayah beyom zevach Yahveh upaqadti al ha-sarim ve'al b'nei ha-melekh ve'al kol ha-lovshim malbush nakhri.
'vehayah' means 'and it shall be', 'beyom' means 'on the day', 'zevach' means 'sacrifice', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'upaquadti' means 'and I will appoint/oversee', 'al' means 'over', 'ha-sarim' means 'the princes', 've'al' means 'and over', 'b'nei' means 'the sons/children of', 'ha-melekh' means 'the king', 've'al' again means 'and over', 'kol' means 'all', 'ha-lovshim' means 'the clothed (people)', 'malbush' means 'garment', 'nakhri' means 'foreign'.
[ZEP.1.9] And I appointed over all who pass by the doorway on that day those who fill the house of their Lord with violence and deceit. [§]
U-fakadt'i al kol-hadoleg al ha-miftan ba-yom ha-hu ha-mme'alim beit adonei-hem chamas u-mirma.
'U-fakadt'i' means 'and I appointed' (from the verb pakad). 'al' means 'upon' or 'over'. 'kol-hadoleg' means 'all who pass by' (kol = all, ha = the, doleḡ = passer). 'al ha-miftan' means 'the doorway' (miftan = entrance). 'ba-yom ha-hu' means 'on that day' (ba-yom = on the day, ha-hu = that). 'ha-mme'alim' means 'those who fill' (the participle of male). 'beit' means 'house'. 'adonai-hem' is the name Adonai with the suffix -hem meaning 'their', so literally 'my Lord their' i.e., 'their Lord' (Adonai = my Lord). 'chamas' means 'violence' or 'bloodshed'. 'u-mirma' means 'and deceit' (u- = and, mirma = deceit). The final 'ס' is a scribal notation and is not part of the text.
[ZEP.1.10] And it shall be in that day, says Yahveh, a voice of cry from the fish gate, and lamentation from the oven, and a great breaking from the hills. [§]
vehayah bayom hahoo ne'um Yahveh kol tzeakah mish'ar hadagim veylala min hamishneh veshever gadol mehagevaot.
'vehayah' means 'and it will be', 'bayom' means 'in the day', 'hahoo' means 'that', 'ne'um' means 'says', 'Yahveh' is the literal name of God, 'kol' means 'voice', 'tzeakah' means 'cry' or 'shout', 'mish'ar' means 'from the gate', 'hadagim' means 'of the fish', 'veylala' means 'and lamentation', 'min' means 'from', 'hamishneh' means 'the oven', 'veshever' means 'and a breaking', 'gadol' means 'great', 'mehagevaot' means 'from the hills'.
[ZEP.1.11] They shouted, O inhabitants of Makhtesh, for all the people of Canaan have perished, all the silver casters have been cut off. [§]
Heilu yosvei ha-Makhtesh ki nidmah kol am Kena'an nikhratu kol netilei kasef.
'Heilu' means 'they shouted', 'yosvei' means 'inhabitants (those who dwell)', 'ha-Makhtesh' means 'the Makhtesh' (a place name), 'ki' means 'because' or 'for', 'nidmah' means 'has perished', 'kol' means 'all', 'am' means 'people', 'Kena'an' means 'Canaan' (Canaanite), 'nikhratu' means 'were cut off' or 'were exterminated', 'netilei' means 'those who cast' (throwers), 'kasef' means 'silver'.
[ZEP.1.12] And it shall be at that time I will seek Jerusalem with lamps, and I will watch over the men who are hot over their guards, who say in their hearts that Yahveh will not do good and will not do evil. [§]
Ve-hayah ba'et ha-hee achapes et Yerushalayim ba-nerot u-fakadti al ha-anashim ha-kof'im al shimreihem ha-omrim bil'vavam lo yeitiv Yahveh ve-lo yare'a.
'Ve' means 'and', 'hayah' means 'it shall be', 'ba'et' means 'in the time', 'ha-hee' means 'that', 'achapes' means 'I will seek', 'et' is a direct‑object marker, 'Yerushalayim' means 'Jerusalem', 'ba-nerot' means 'with lamps', 'u-fakadti' means 'and I will watch over', 'al' means 'over', 'ha-anashim' means 'the men', 'ha-kof'im' means 'who are hot/overheated', 'shimreihem' means 'their guards/watchmen', 'ha-omrim' means 'who say', 'bil'vavam' means 'in their hearts', 'lo' means 'not', 'yeitiv' means 'will do good', 'Yahveh' is the translation of the divine name YHVH, 've-lo' means 'and not', 'yare'a' means 'will do evil'.
[ZEP.1.13] And their strength will become a siege, and their houses will become desolation; they will build houses, but will not dwell in them; they will plant vineyards, but will not drink their wine. [§]
vehayah cheylam limshisa uva-teihem lishmamah uvanohu batim velo yeshevu venat'u keramim velo yish'tu et yeinam.
'vehayah' means 'and it will be', 'cheylam' means 'their strength', 'limshisa' means 'for a siege', 'uva-teihem' means 'and their houses', 'lishmamah' means 'for desolation', 'vanohu' means 'and they will build', 'batim' means 'houses', 'velo' means 'but not', 'yeshevu' means 'they will dwell', 'venat'u' means 'and they will plant', 'keramim' means 'vineyards', 'velo' (again) means 'but not', 'yish'tu' means 'they will drink', 'et' is a direct object marker, 'yeinam' means 'their wine'.
[ZEP.1.14] The great day of Yahveh is near, near and exceedingly swift; the sound of Yahveh's day is a bitter wailing, there is a mighty one. [§]
Karov yom-Yahveh ha-gadol karov u-maher meod; kol yom Yahveh mar tzo-re-ach sham gibbor.
'Karob' means 'near' or 'coming soon', 'yom' means 'day', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH as instructed, 'ha-gadol' means 'the great', the second 'karob' repeats 'near', 'u-maher' means 'and swift', 'meod' means 'very' or 'exceedingly', 'kol' means 'sound' or 'voice', the second 'yom' again means 'day', 'Yahveh' again refers to the divine name, 'mar' means 'bitter', 'tzo-re-ach' (tzoreach) means 'crying' or 'wailing', 'sham' means 'there', and 'gibbor' means 'mighty one' or 'hero'.
[ZEP.1.15] The day of crossing, this day that day, a day of distress and crushing, a day of desolation and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of cloud and mist. [§]
Yom everah hayom hahu yom tzara u-metsukah yom shoah u-meshouah yom choshech va-afelah yom anan va-arafel.
'Yom' means 'day', 'everah' means 'crossing', 'hayom' means 'this day', 'hahu' means 'that (day)', 'tzara' means 'distress', 'u-metsukah' means 'and crushing', 'shoah' means 'desolation', 'u-meshouah' means 'and ruin', 'choshech' means 'darkness', 'va-afelah' means 'and gloom', 'anan' means 'cloud', 'va-arafel' means 'and mist'.
[ZEP.1.16] Day of the shofar and sounding over the fortified cities and over the high towers. [§]
Yom shofar uteruah al he'arim habtzurot ve'al hapinnot hagvohot.
'Yom' means 'day', 'shofar' means 'ram's horn', 'uteruah' means 'and sounding' (a trumpet blast), 'al' means 'upon' or 'over', 'he'arim' means 'the cities', 'habtzurot' means 'the fortified', 've\'al' means 'and upon', 'hapinnot' means 'the towers' or 'pinnacles', 'hagvohot' means 'the high' or 'elevated'.
[ZEP.1.17] And I have confined man, and they walked like blind people because they have sinned against Yahveh, and their blood was poured out like dust and their heat like coals. [§]
Va hatzeroti la adam ve halchu ka ivrim ki le Yahveh chatau ve shufach damam ke afar u le chumam ka glalim.
'Va' means 'and', 'hatzeroti' means 'I have confined', 'la' means 'to', 'adam' means 'man', 've' means 'and', 'halchu' means 'they walked', 'ka' means 'like', 'ivrim' means 'blind people', 'ki' means 'because', 'le' means 'against', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'chatau' means 'they have sinned', 've' means 'and', 'shufach' means 'poured out', 'damam' means 'their blood', 'ke' means 'like', 'afar' means 'dust', 'u' means 'and', 'le' means 'their', 'chumam' means 'heat', 'ka' means 'like', 'glalim' means 'coals'.
[ZEP.1.18] Both their silver and their gold cannot save them on the day of the crossing of Yahveh, and by the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be devoured, because all will be only trembling; he will do this to all the inhabitants of the earth. [§]
gam-kaspham gam-zehavam lo yuchal lehatzilam be-yom evarat Yahveh uve-esh kinato te'achel kol-haaretz ki-kolah akh-nivhalah ya'aseh et kol-yoshevei haaretz.
'gam' means 'also', 'kaspham' means 'their silver', 'zehavam' means 'their gold', 'lo' means 'not', 'yuchal' means 'can', 'lehatzilam' means 'to save them', 'be-yom' means 'in the day', 'evarat' (from 'evrat') means 'crossing' or 'judgment', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'uve-esh' means 'and by fire', 'kinato' means 'his jealousy', 'te'achel' means 'will be devoured', 'kol-haaretz' means 'the whole earth', 'ki' means 'because', 'kolah' means 'all', 'akh' means 'only', 'nivhalah' means 'trembling', 'ya'aseh' means 'he will do', 'et' is a direct‑object particle, 'kol-yoshevei' means 'all inhabitants', 'haaretz' means 'of the earth'.
ZEP.2
[ZEP.2.1] Be terrified and be confounded, the nation will not be ashamed. [§]
Hitkoshshu vakoshshu ha-goy lo nikkasaf.
'Hitkoshshu' is the Hitpael imperative form of the root Q-SSH meaning 'to become terrified' or 'to be shaken'. 'vakoshshu' is the conjunction 'and' (va) followed by the imperative form of the same root, here rendered as 'be confounded' or 'be shaken'. 'ha-goy' means 'the nation' (ha = the, goy = nation). 'lo' means 'not'. 'nikkasaf' is the Niphal imperfect third person singular of the verb 'kasaf' meaning 'to be ashamed', thus 'is not ashamed' or 'will not be ashamed'.
[ZEP.2.2] Before a law is born like a rushing day, before the wrath of Yahveh comes upon you, before the day of Yahveh's wrath comes upon you. [§]
beterem ledet chok kemos avar yom boterem lo-yavo aleichem charon af-Yahveh boterem lo-yavo aleichem yom af-Yahveh.
'beterem' means 'before', 'ledet' means 'to be born' or 'to give birth', 'chok' means 'law' or 'ordinance', 'kemos' means 'like a rushing' (from a root meaning 'swift' or 'rush'), 'avar' means 'passes' or 'passes by', 'yom' means 'day', 'lo-yavo' means 'will not come' (with lo = 'not' and yavo = 'will come'), 'aleichem' means 'upon you (plural)', 'charon' means 'anger' (specifically 'wrath'), 'af-' is a conjunction meaning 'and' or 'also', and 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH. The passage repeats the phrase 'beterem lo-yavo aleichem' meaning 'before it will come upon you'.
[ZEP.2.3] Seek Yahveh, all the meek of the earth who have acted according to his justice; seek justice, seek humility, perhaps you will hide on the day of Yahveh's wrath. [§]
Bakshu et Yahveh kol anvei haaretz asher mishpato pau bakshu tzedek bakshu anavah ulay tissatru beyam af Yahveh.
'Bakshu' means 'seek' (imperative plural). 'et' is the direct‑object marker. 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH. 'Kol' means 'all'. 'Anvei' is the plural of 'anav', meaning 'the meek' or 'humble ones'. 'Haaretz' means 'the earth' or 'the land'. 'Asher' means 'who' or 'that'. 'Mishpato' means 'his justice' (from 'mishpat' = justice). 'Pau' means 'they have acted' or 'they have done'. 'Tzedek' means 'justice' or 'righteousness'. 'Anavah' means 'humility' or 'meekness'. 'Ulay' means 'perhaps' or 'maybe'. 'Tissatru' means 'you will hide' (plural). 'Beyam' means 'on the day'. 'Af' means 'anger' or 'wrath'. 'Yahveh' again is the name of God.
[ZEP.2.4] Because Azza will be abandoned and Ashkelon will become desolate; Ashdod at midday will be driven out, and Ekron will be uprooted. [§]
Ki azzah azubah tihyeh, ve-ashkelon lishmamah; ashdod batsoharayim yigr'shuha, ve-ekron te'aker.
'Ki' means 'because', 'azzah' is a place name (Azza), 'azubah' means 'abandoned' or 'deserted', 'tihyeh' means 'will be', 've' is the conjunction 'and', 'ashkelon' is the city name Ashkelon, 'lishmamah' means 'to desolation' or 'to become desolate', 'ashdod' is the city name Ashdod, 'batsoharayim' means 'at noon' or 'in the midday', 'yigr'shuha' means 'they will drive it out' (referring to Ashdod), 've' again means 'and', 'ekron' is the city name Ekron, 'te'aker' means 'will be uprooted' or 'will be destroyed'.
[ZEP.2.5] Woe those who dwell by the rope of the sea, nation of Kereites; the word of Yahveh is upon you as Canaan, the land of the Philistines, and I will cause you to be removed from a place where there is no dweller. [§]
Hoy Yoshevei Chevel Hayam Goy Keretim D'var Yahveh Aleykhem Kena'an Eretz Plishtim Veha'avadtik Me'ein Yoshev.
'Hoy' means 'Woe', 'Yoshevei' means 'those who dwell', 'Chevel' means 'rope' or 'cord', 'Hayam' means 'the sea', 'Goy' means 'nation', 'Keretim' is a proper name possibly meaning 'Kereites', 'D'var' means 'word', 'Yahveh' is the proper name of God, 'Aleykhem' means 'upon you', 'Kena'an' means 'Canaan', 'Eretz' means 'land', 'Plishtim' means 'Philistines', 'Veha'avadtik' means 'and I will cause you to be removed', 'Me'ein' means 'from without' or 'from a place lacking', 'Yoshev' means 'dweller' or 'inhabitant'.
[ZEP.2.6] And it shall be a rope of the sea, a knot of shepherds, and fences of the flock. [§]
vehaytah khevel hayyam nu t kerot roim ve gidrot tzon.
'vehaytah' means 'and it shall be', 'khevel' means 'rope', 'hayyam' means 'the sea', 'nu' means 'knot', 'kerot' means 'as a cutting' (or 'as a measure'), 'roim' means 'shepherds', 've' means 'and', 'gidrot' means 'enclosures' or 'fences', 'tzon' means 'flock'.
[ZEP.2.7] And it shall be a cord for the remnant of the house of Judah; they will graze upon them in the houses of Ashkelon. In the evening they will sit down, because Yahveh will watch over them, their Gods, and will return their captivity. [§]
vehayah chevel li'shereit beit Yehudah aleihem yir'on be-batei Ashkelon ba-erev yirbatson ki yipkadem Yahveh Eloheihem ve-shav shevotam.
'vehayah' means 'and it shall be', 'chevel' means 'a cord' or 'band', 'li'shereit' means 'for the remnant', 'beit' means 'house of', 'Yehudah' means 'Judah', 'aleihem' means 'upon them', 'yir'on' means 'they will graze', 'be-batei' means 'in the houses of', 'Ashkelon' is the name of a city, 'ba-erev' means 'in the evening', 'yirbatson' means 'they will sit down', 'ki' means 'because', 'yipkadem' means 'He will watch over them', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'Eloheihem' means 'their Gods' (from Elohim = the Gods), 've-shav' means 'and will return', 'shevotam' means 'their captivity' or 'their exiles'.
[ZEP.2.8] I have heard the mockery of Moab and the boasts of the sons of Ammon, who mocked my people and boasted over their border. [§]
shamati cherpat Moav ve-giddufei b'nei amon asher cherfu et-ami vayag'dilu al gevulam
'shamati' means 'I have heard', 'cherpat' means 'the mockery' or 'insult', 'Moav' means 'Moab', 've-giddufei' means 'and the boasts' or 'triumphs', 'b'nei' means 'the sons of', 'amon' means 'Ammon', 'asher' means 'who', 'cherfu' means 'insulted' or 'mocked', 'et-ami' means 'my people', 'vayag'dilu' means 'and they boasted' or 'exalted themselves', 'al gevulam' means 'over their border'.
[ZEP.2.9] Therefore I, living, says Yahveh of hosts, the Gods of Israel, because Moab will become like Sodom and the children of Ammon like the Amorites, a mixture of scarlet and a trade of salt and desolation forever; the remnant of my people will despise them, and the rest of the nations will inherit them. [§]
Lachen chai-ani ne'um Yahveh Tzevaot Elohei Yisrael ki-Moav kisdom tihyeh u'venei Ammon ka-Amorah mimshaq charul u-mikreh melach ve-shmemah ad olam she'erit ami yivazzum ve-yeter goyim yinhalum.
'Lachen' means 'therefore'; 'chai-ani' means 'I live' or 'I am living'; 'ne'um' means 'says'; 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH; 'Tzevaot' means 'hosts' (as in armies of God); 'Elohei' is the plural form of 'El' meaning 'the Gods'; 'Yisrael' means 'Israel'; 'ki' means 'because'; 'Moav' is the nation Moab; 'kisdom' means 'will be like Sodom'; 'tihyeh' means 'it will become'; 'u'venei' means 'and the sons/children of'; 'Ammon' is the nation Ammon; 'ka-Amorah' means 'like the Amorites'; 'mimshaq' means 'a mixture of'; 'charul' means 'crimson' or 'scarlet cloth'; 'u-mikreh' means 'and a trade of' or 'and a selling of'; 'melach' means 'salt'; 've-shmemah' means 'and desolation'; 'ad olam' means 'forever'; 'she'erit' means 'the remnant of'; 'ami' means 'my people'; 'yivazzum' means 'they will despise them'; 've-yeter' means 'and the rest of'; 'goyim' means 'nations'; 'yinhalum' means 'will inherit them'.
[ZEP.2.10] This is for them because of their pride, for they have become angry and have grown great over the people of Yahveh of hosts. [§]
Zot lahem tachat geonam ki cherfu vayagdilu al am Yahveh tzevaot.
'Zot' means 'this' (feminine); 'lahem' means 'to them' or 'for them'; 'tachat' means 'under' or 'beneath'; 'geonam' means 'their pride' or 'their arrogance'; 'ki' means 'because' or 'for'; 'cherfu' means 'they have become angry' or 'they have burned up'; 'vayagdilu' means 'and they have grown great' or 'they have become exalted'; 'al am' means 'over the people' or 'against the people'; 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, the divine name; 'tzevaot' means 'hosts' (as in armies of heaven).
[ZEP.2.11] Awesome is Yahveh upon them, because he concealed all the Gods of the earth, and they will bow to him, a man from his place, all the islands of the nations. [§]
Nora Yahveh aleihem ki razah et kol-elohei haaretz veyishtachu-lo ish mimkomo kol iyei haggoyim.
'Nora' means 'awesome' or 'terrifying', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'aliehem' means 'upon them', 'ki' means 'because', 'razah' means 'he concealed', 'et' is the direct‑object marker, 'kol' means 'all', 'elohei' means 'the Gods' (plural of Elohim), 'haaretz' means 'the earth', 'veyishtachu-lo' means 'and they will bow to him', 'ish' means 'a man', 'mimkomo' means 'from his place', 'kol' again means 'all', 'iyei' means 'islands' or 'coastlands', 'haggoyim' means 'the nations'.
[ZEP.2.12] Even you are Cushites, the defiled ones of my sword, they are. [§]
Gam atem Kushim challelei charbi hem.
'Gam' means 'also' or 'even', 'atem' means 'you' (plural), 'Kushim' refers to the people of Cush (Ethiopians), 'challelei' is the plural construct form of 'challel' meaning 'defiled' or 'profane', 'charbi' means 'my sword', and 'hem' means 'they' (serving as a pronoun). The phrase 'challelei charbi' can be rendered as 'the defiled ones of my sword' or 'those profaned by my sword'. The whole sentence identifies the addressed group as Cushites and describes them as the defiled ones of the speaker's sword.
[ZEP.2.13] And he will stretch out his hand toward the north, and will cut off Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolate, dry place like the desert. [§]
ve yet yado al tzafon viyabbed et Ashur ve yasem et Nineveh li shmamah tziyah kamidbar.
've' means 'and', 'yet' means 'he will stretch', 'yado' means 'his hand', 'al' means 'against' or 'toward', 'tzafon' means 'the north', 'vi yabb ed' means 'and he will cut off', 'et' is the accusative marker, 'Ashur' means 'Assyria', 've' means 'and', 'yasem' means 'he will place' or 'make', 'Nineveh' is the city name, 'li shmamah' means 'to desolation' (making it a ruin), 'tziyah' means 'dry', 'ka' means 'like', 'midbar' means 'the desert'.
[ZEP.2.14] And they sat inside it crowds all the living of the nations also kaat also kipod in its palms they sank a voice crooked in the valley a sword in the language because cedar hollow. [§]
ve-ravtzu betochah adarim kolchayeto-goy gamkaat gamkippod bekhaptoreha yalinu kol yeshorer bachelon choref basaf ki arza era.
've-ravtzu' means 'and they will sit', 'betochah' means 'inside it', 'adarim' means 'crowds' or 'assemblies', 'kolchayeto-goy' means 'all the living of the nations', 'gamkaat' means 'also kaat' (a proper noun or obscure term), 'gamkippod' means 'also kipod' (another obscure term), 'bekhaptoreha' means 'in its palms', 'yalinu' means 'they sank', 'kol' means 'voice', 'yeshorer' means 'crooked' or 'perverse', 'bachelon' means 'in the valley', 'choref' means 'sword', 'basaf' means 'in the language' (or 'in the metal'), 'ki' means 'because', 'arza' means 'cedar', 'era' means 'hollow'.
[ZEP.2.15] This is the lively city, the dweller in confidence, the one who says in her heart, 'I and my remainder still—how she was a poison to the animal. All who pass over her will shine and move his hand.' [§]
zot ha'ir ha'alizah hayoshevet lavetach ha'omerah bilvavah ani ve'afsi od eich hayta leshama marbeitz lachayah kol over aleha yishrok yania yado.
'zot' means 'this', 'ha'ir' means 'the city', 'ha'alizah' means 'the lively', 'hayoshevet' means 'the dweller (feminine)', 'labetach' means 'in confidence', 'ha'omerah' means 'the one who says', 'bilvavah' means 'in her heart', 'ani' means 'I', 've'afsi' means 'and my remainder/also', 'od' means 'still', 'eich' means 'how', 'hayta' means 'was', 'leshama' means 'a poison', 'marbeitz' means 'to the animal', 'lachayah' means 'for the animal', 'kol' means 'all', 'over' means 'who passes', 'aleha' means 'over her', 'yishrok' means 'will shine', 'yania' means 'will move', 'yado' means 'his hand'.
ZEP.3
[ZEP.3.1] Woe, terror and redemption, the city of the dove. [§]
Hoy mora ve'nig'alah ha'ir hayona.
'Hoy' means 'Woe', 'mora' means 'terror' or 'fear', 've'nig'alah' means 'and (it) will be redeemed' (from the verb n-g-l, to redeem), 'ha'ir' means 'the city', and 'hayona' means 'the dove' (yonah = dove).
[ZEP.3.2] She did not hear the voice; she did not take instruction; in Yahveh she did not trust; to her God she did not draw near. [§]
lo sham'ah beqol lo lakha musar baYahveh lo batacha el-eloheha lo karevah.
'lo' means 'not', 'sham'ah' means 'she heard', 'beqol' means 'by the voice', 'lakha' means 'she took', 'musar' means 'instruction or discipline', 'baYahveh' means 'in Yahveh' (the name YHVH rendered as Yahveh), 'batacha' means 'she trusted', 'el-eloheha' means 'to her God' (El translated as God, Elohe- is a form of Elohim meaning God, with a feminine possessive suffix), 'karevah' means 'she drew near'.
[ZEP.3.3] Her princes in her midst, roaring lions, her judges, wolves of the evening have not harmed the morning. [§]
sareha beqirbah arayot shoagim shoftheha zevei erev lo garmu laboker
'sareha' means 'her princes', 'beqirbah' means 'in her midst', 'arayot' means 'lions', 'shoagim' means 'that roar' (roaring), 'shoftheha' means 'her judges', 'zevei' means 'wolves of', 'erev' means 'the evening', 'lo' means 'not', 'garmu' means 'they have harmed' or 'they have destroyed', 'laboker' means 'the morning' (to the morning).
[ZEP.3.4] Her prophets are deceivers, men of betrayal; her priests have profaned the holy, they have violated the law. [§]
Nevi'eyha pochazim anshei bogdot kohaneha chil'lu qodesh chamsu torah.
'Nevi'eyha' means 'her prophets', 'pochazim' means 'deceivers' or 'ones who lie', 'anshei' means 'men of', 'bogdot' means 'betrayal' or 'treachery', 'kohaneha' means 'her priests', 'chil'lu qodesh' means 'have profaned the holy', 'chamsu' means 'have acted violently' or 'have committed wickedness', 'torah' means 'law' or 'teaching'.
[ZEP.3.5] Yahveh the righteous in her midst will not do injustice; in the morning, in the morning his judgment He will give to the light, it will not be delayed, and he will not know injustice shame. [§]
Yahveh tsaddik bekirbah lo ya'ase avlah ba-boker ba-boker mishpato yitten la-or lo ne'adar ve-lo-yodea avval boshet.
'Yahveh' is the literal translation of the divine name YHVH; 'tsaddik' means 'righteous'; 'bekirbah' means 'in her midst' (literally 'in the inner part'); 'lo' means 'will not'; 'ya'ase' means 'do' or 'commit'; 'avlah' means 'injustice' or 'wickedness'; 'ba-boker' means 'in the morning'; the phrase is repeated for emphasis; 'mishpato' means 'his judgment'; 'yitten' means 'He will give'; 'la-or' means 'to the light'; 'lo' means 'not'; 'ne'adar' means 'delayed' or 'postponed'; 've-lo-yodea' means 'and he does not know'; 'avval' means 'injustice' again; 'boshet' means 'shame' or 'disgrace'.
[ZEP.3.6] I have cut nations, their faces are shaken; I have dulled their edges without a passer. Their cities fell without a man, there is no dweller. [§]
hi-kra-ti go-yim na-sha-mu pi-no-tam he-che-rov-ti chu-tzo-tam mi-be-li o-ver nit-zdu a-rei-hem mi-be-li i-sh me-ein yo-shev.
'hi-kra-ti' means 'I have cut', 'go-yim' means 'nations', 'na-sha-mu' means 'their heads are shaken', 'pi-no-tam' means 'their faces' or 'their cheeks', 'he-che-rov-ti' means 'I have blunted' or 'I have dulled', 'chu-tzo-tam' means 'their edges' or 'their corners', 'mi-be-li' means 'without' or 'without a', 'o-ver' means 'passing' or 'one who passes by', 'nit-zdu' means 'they were destroyed' or 'they fell', 'a-rei-hem' means 'their cities', 'mi-be-li' again means 'without', 'i-sh' means 'man', 'me-ein' means 'from the absence of', 'yo-shev' means 'dweller' or 'one who sits/inhabits'.
[ZEP.3.7] I said, only fear me, take correction, and her dwelling will not be cut off; all that I have appointed over her, indeed they have risen, they have destroyed all their iniquities. [§]
amarti ach tir'i oti tikhi musar ve'lo yikaret me'onah kol asher pakadti aleyha achen hishkimu hishchitu kol alilotam.
'amarti' means 'I said', 'ach' means 'only', 'tir'i' means 'you will fear' (feminine), 'oti' means 'me', 'tikhi' means 'you will take' (feminine), 'musar' means 'discipline' or 'correction', 've'lo' means 'and not', 'yikaret' means 'will be cut off' or 'destroyed', 'me'onah' means 'her dwelling' or 'her place', 'kol' means 'all', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'pakadti' means 'I have appointed' or 'I have ordered', 'aleyha' means 'over her', 'achen' means 'indeed' or 'surely', 'hishkimu' means 'they have risen' or 'they have become upright', 'hishchitu' means 'they have destroyed', 'alilotam' means 'their iniquities' or 'their sins'.
[ZEP.3.8] Therefore wait for me," declares Yahveh, "for the day I will rise forever, for my judgment is to gather nations, to collect kingdoms, to pour out my wrath upon them, all the fury of my anger, for in the fire of my jealousy the whole earth shall be devoured. [§]
lachen hakku li neum yahveh le yom kum i le ad ki mishpati le esof goyim le kavtsi mamlekhot li shpokh alehem zaami kol haron api ki be esh kinaati teachel kol haaretz.
'lachen' means 'therefore', 'hakku' means 'wait', 'li' means 'for me', 'neum' means 'utterance' or 'says', 'yahveh' is the rendering of YHVH, 'le yom' means 'for the day', 'kum i' means 'I will rise', 'le ad' means 'forever', 'ki' means 'because' or 'for', 'mishpati' means 'my judgment', 'le esof' means 'to gather', 'goyim' means 'nations', 'le kavtsi' means 'to collect', 'mamlekhot' means 'kingdoms', 'li shpokh' means 'to pour out', 'alehem' means 'upon them', 'zaami' means 'my wrath', 'kol' means 'all', 'haron' means 'fury', 'api' means 'of my anger', 'ki' again means 'for', 'be esh' means 'in fire', 'kinaati' means 'of my jealousy', 'teachel' means 'shall be devoured', 'kol' means 'the whole', 'haaretz' means 'earth'.
[ZEP.3.9] For then I will turn to the nations a clear language to call all of them in the name Yahveh, that they may serve Him alone. [§]
Ki-az ehefokh el-amim saphah verurah likro kulam be-shem Yahveh le-avdo shekhem echad.
'Ki' means 'for', 'az' means 'then' or 'at that time', 'ehefokh' means 'I will turn' (future of 'to turn'), 'el' means 'to' or 'toward', 'amim' means 'nations', 'saphah' means 'language' or 'speech', 'verurah' means 'clear' or 'pure', 'likro' means 'to call', 'kulam' means 'all of them', 'be-shem' means 'in the name of', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH, 'le-avdo' means 'to his servant' or 'to his service' (literally 'to his worship'), 'shekhem' means 'that they may' (a conjunction indicating purpose), 'echad' means 'one' or 'alone'.
[ZEP.3.10] Beyond the rivers of Cush, my crown, daughter of Put, shall bring my offering. [§]
Meever lenaharei Kush atarai bat-putsa yovilon minchati.
'Meever' means 'beyond' or 'across', 'lenaharei' means 'the rivers of', 'Kush' is the name of the region Cush, 'atarai' means 'my crown', 'bat-putsa' means 'daughter of Put', 'yovilon' means 'shall bring' or 'will bring', 'minchati' means 'my offering' or 'my gift'.
[ZEP.3.11] On that day you will not be ashamed of all your schemes that you plotted against me, for then I will be taken from your midst, the pride of your arrogance, and you will not add any more to the height of my holy mountain. [§]
Bayo ha-hu lo teboshi mikol alilotayich asher pashat ti bi ki az asir mikirbek alizei ga'avateich velo tosfii legavah od behar kadshi.
'Bayo' means 'on the day', 'ha-hu' means 'that', 'lo' means 'not', 'teboshi' means 'you will be ashamed', 'mikol' means 'of all', 'alilotayich' means 'your schemes', 'asher' means 'that/which', 'pashat' means 'you plotted', 'ti' is the pronoun suffix 'you', 'bi' means 'against me', 'ki' means 'for', 'az' means 'then', 'asir' means 'I will be taken', 'mikirbek' means 'from your midst', 'alizei' means 'the pride', 'ga'avateich' means 'of your arrogance', 'velo' means 'and not', 'tosfii' means 'you will add', 'legavah' means 'to the height', 'od' means 'any more', 'behar' means 'on the mountain', 'kadshi' means 'my holy'.
[ZEP.3.12] And I will remain in your midst, a poor and needy people, and they will trust in the name Yahveh. [§]
ve-hisharti be-kirbech am ani vadel ve-chasu be-shem Yahveh.
've-hisharti' means 'and I will remain', 'be-kirbech' means 'in your midst', 'am' means 'people', 'ani' means 'poor', 'vadel' means 'and needy', 've-chasu' means 'and they will trust', 'be-shem' means 'in the name', 'Yahveh' is the literal translation of YHVH.
[ZEP.3.13] The remnant of Israel shall not do injustice, and they shall not speak falsehood, and deceit shall not be found in their mouths; for they will graze and lie down, and there will be no destroyer. [§]
She'erit Yisrael lo ya'asu avlah ve'lo yedabru kazav ve'lo yimmatse b'fihem leshon tarmit ki hemmah yiru ve'ravzu ve'ein macharid.
'She'erit' means 'remnant', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'lo' means 'not', 'ya'asu' means 'they will do', 'avlah' means 'injustice' or 'evil', 've'lo' means 'and not', 'yedabru' means 'they will speak', 'kazav' means 'falsehood' or 'lie', 've'lo' (second occurrence) means 'and not', 'yimmatse' means 'will be found', 'b'fihem' means 'in their mouths', 'leshon' means 'tongue' or 'language', 'tarmit' means 'deception', 'ki' means 'because', 'hemmah' means 'they', 'yiru' means 'they will graze' or 'feed', 've'ravzu' means 'and lie down', 've'ein' means 'and no', 'macharid' means 'destroyer' or 'one who harms'.
[ZEP.3.14] Rejoice, daughter of Zion! Let Israel raise a cry! Be glad and be joyful with all your heart, daughter of Jerusalem. [§]
Ranni bat Tziyon harimu Yisrael simchi ve alzi bekhol lev bat Yerushalayim.
'Ranni' means 'rejoice', 'bat' means 'daughter', 'Tziyon' means 'Zion', 'harimu' means 'let them raise a cry', 'Yisrael' means 'Israel', 'simchi' means 'be glad', 've' means 'and', 'alzi' means 'be joyful', 'bekhol' means 'with all', 'lev' means 'heart', 'bat' again means 'daughter', 'Yerushalayim' means 'Jerusalem'.
[ZEP.3.15] Yahveh removes your judgment, turns your enemy, King of Israel, Yahveh is within you; you will not fear evil any more. [§]
hesir yahveh mishpatayich pinah oyvekh melek yisrael yahveh bekirbeykh lo tiri ra od.
'hesir' means 'removes' or 'takes away', 'yahveh' is the transliteration of YHVH and is rendered as 'Yahveh', 'mishpatayich' means 'your judgment', 'pinah' means 'turns' or 'reverses', 'oyvekh' means 'your enemy', 'melek' means 'king', 'yisrael' means 'Israel', 'bekirbeykh' means 'within you' or 'in your midst', 'lo' means 'not', 'tiri' means 'you will fear', 'ra' means 'evil' or 'harm', 'od' means 'anymore' or 'again'.
[ZEP.3.16] On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, 'Do not be afraid, Zion; let your hands not be weak.' [§]
bayom hahoo yeamer liyerushalayim al-tirai tziyon al-yirpu yadayich.
'bayom' means 'in the day', 'hahoo' means 'that', 'yeamer' means 'shall be said', 'liyerushalayim' means 'to Jerusalem', 'al-tirai' means 'do not be afraid' (addressed to a female), 'tziyon' means 'Zion', 'al-yirpu' means 'let not be slack/weak', 'yadayich' means 'your hands' (feminine).
[ZEP.3.17] Yahveh your God in your midst a mighty savior will rejoice over you in joy will be quiet in his love will be glad over you with singing. [§]
Yahveh Elohayich bekirbeich gibor yoshi'a yashis alayich besimcha yacharish beahavato yagil alayich berinnah.
'Yahveh' means the divine name YHWH. 'Elohayich' means 'your God' (Elohim in singular, translated as God). 'Bekirbeich' means 'in your midst' (be = in, kirbe = midst, -ich = your). 'Gibor' means 'mighty one' or 'hero'. 'Yoshi'a' means 'who saves'. 'Yashis' means 'will rejoice'. 'Alayich' means 'over you' (feminine). 'Besimcha' means 'in joy' or 'with happiness'. 'Yacharish' means 'will be quiet' or 'will be at rest'. 'Beahavato' means 'in his love'. 'Yagil' means 'will be glad'. 'Alayich' again 'over you'. 'Berinnah' means 'with singing' or 'with a shout of joy'.
[ZEP.3.18] Shames from the appointed time I gathered from you; they were burdens upon her, mockery. [§]
Nugei mimmo'ed asafTi mimekh hayu mas'ei aleha cherpah.
'Nugei' means 'shames' (plural noun from the root nagah, to be shamed). 'mimmo'ed' means 'from the appointed time' (mo'ed = appointed time, festival, season). 'asafTi' means 'I gathered' (first person singular perfect of אסף). 'mimekh' means 'from you' or 'from your side' (mi- = from, -mekh = second‑person singular masculine pronoun). 'hayu' means 'they were' (third‑person plural imperfect of היה). 'mas'ei' means 'burdens' (plural construct form of מַשָּׂא). 'aleha' means 'upon her' (על = on/upon, -ה = her). 'cherpah' means 'mockery' or 'shame' (noun from חֶרְפָּה).
[ZEP.3.19] Behold, I am doing all your afflictions at that time, and I will save the broken and the scattered; I will gather them and set them for praise and for the name throughout all the earth in them. [§]
hineni oseh et kol meanayich ba'et hahi vehoshati et hatsolea vehaniddacha akabetz vesamtim litahala uleshem bechol haaretz bashetam.
'hineni' means 'behold, I am'; 'oseh' means 'am doing' or 'am making'; 'et' is the direct object marker; 'kol' means 'all'; 'meanayich' (plural feminine) means 'your troubles' or 'your afflictions'; 'ba'et' means 'at the time'; 'hahi' means 'that (time)'; 'vehoshati' means 'and I will save'; 'hatsolea' means 'the broken' or 'the crippled'; 'vehaniddacha' means 'and the scattered' or 'the outcast'; 'akabetz' means 'I will gather'; 'vesamtim' means 'and I will set them' or 'place them'; 'litatlaha' means 'for praise'; 'uleshem' means 'for the name'; 'bechol haaretz' means 'throughout all the earth'; 'bashetam' means 'in them' or 'as a whole'. No divine names appear in this verse, so no special translation rules are applied.
[ZEP.3.20] At that time I will bring you, and at the time I will gather you, because I will give you for a name and for praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I turn back your captivity to your eyes, said Yahveh. [§]
Ba'et ha'hi avi'i etchem uva'et qabbetsi etchem ki-etten etchem le-shem ve-li-t'hilla bechol ammei ha'aretz be-shuvi et-shevu-teichem le-eineihem amar Yahveh.
'Ba'et' means 'at the time', 'ha'hi' means 'that', 'avi'i' means 'I will bring', 'etchem' means 'you (plural)', 'uva''et' means 'and at the time', 'qabbetsi' means 'I will gather', 'ki' means 'because', 'etten' means 'I will give', 'le-shem' means 'for a name', 've-li-t'hilla' means 'and for praise', 'bechol' means 'among all', 'ammei' means 'the peoples of', 'ha'aretz' means 'the earth', 'be-shuvi' means 'when I turn back', 'et-shevu-teichem' means 'your captivity', 'le-eineihem' means 'to your eyes', 'amar' means 'said', 'Yahveh' is the literal rendering of the divine name YHVH.