Zephaniah 1:3

I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

I will consume {H5486} man {H120} and beast {H929}; I will consume {H5486} the fowls {H5775} of the heaven {H8064}, and the fishes {H1709} of the sea {H3220}, and the stumblingblocks {H4384} with the wicked {H7563}; and I will cut off {H3772} man {H120} from off {H6440} the land {H127}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

"I will sweep away humans and animals, the birds in the air and the fish in the sea, also the wicked and what makes them stumble; I will wipe humanity off the land," says ADONAI.

“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the face of the ground, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

Commentary on Zephaniah 1:3 (KJV)

Zephaniah 1:3 is a powerful declaration of God's impending and comprehensive judgment, delivered through the prophet Zephaniah during the reign of King Josiah in Judah. This verse is part of an ominous prophecy concerning the "Day of the Lord," a time of divine reckoning for the widespread idolatry, corruption, and injustice prevalent in Judah.

Context

The prophet Zephaniah ministered in Judah around 640-610 BC, a period marked by religious syncretism and social decay, despite Josiah's later efforts at reform. The people of Judah had strayed significantly from the Mosaic covenant, engaging in pagan worship, including the worship of Baal and other foreign gods, and adopting practices that were anathema to the Lord. This verse specifically highlights the breadth and intensity of God's coming judgment, emphasizing its universal scope beyond just human inhabitants to encompass all living creatures.

Key Themes

  • Universal Judgment: The verse powerfully conveys the all-encompassing nature of God's judgment. Not only will "man" be consumed, but also "beast," "fowls of the heaven," and "fishes of the sea." This imagery signifies a complete overturning of the natural order and a return to chaos, reflecting the depth of humanity's rebellion and the severe consequences of sin. This echoes the comprehensive judgment seen in the flood narrative (Genesis 6:7).
  • Divine Sovereignty and Wrath: The phrase "saith the LORD" underscores the absolute authority and certainty of this judgment. It is not a mere threat but a divine decree, illustrating God's ultimate control over creation and His righteous indignation against sin.
  • Removal of "Stumblingblocks": A crucial element of this judgment is the consumption of "the stumblingblocks with the wicked." The Hebrew word for "stumblingblocks" (mikshol) refers to anything that causes one to fall, often used in a spiritual sense to denote idols, false gods, or practices that lead people into sin. God's judgment is not merely against the wicked individuals but also against the very instruments and systems that facilitate their wickedness. This signifies a thorough cleansing of the land from all forms of spiritual corruption, similar to how God commanded the removal of idols in the Law (Deuteronomy 7:25).
  • Thorough Cleansing: The repeated use of "consume" and "cut off" emphasizes the totality and severity of the impending destruction. God's purpose is to purify the land by removing everything that offends His holiness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb translated "consume" (אָסַף - 'asaf) can mean to gather, collect, remove, or sweep away. In this context, it implies a thorough and devastating removal or destruction. The "stumblingblocks" (מִכְשֹׁול - mikshol) are not just physical obstacles but spiritual snares, often referring to idols and the idolatrous altars or practices that led the people of Judah astray. God promises to remove both the wicked and the very things that caused them to stumble, demonstrating the depth of His purificatory judgment.

Practical Application

While Zephaniah's prophecy was specifically directed at ancient Judah, its message holds timeless truths for believers today. This verse serves as a stark reminder of:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: God's holiness demands justice, and persistent rebellion against His commands carries severe consequences, affecting not only individuals but potentially their environment and community.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: The Lord is not indifferent to wickedness. He is a God of justice who will ultimately hold all creation accountable. This should inspire both reverence and a desire for righteousness.
  • A Call to Examine "Stumblingblocks": We are called to identify and remove "stumblingblocks" from our own lives—anything that hinders our walk with God or leads us into sin, whether it be material possessions, relationships, or habits.
  • Hope in Repentance: Although this verse speaks of dire judgment, Zephaniah's broader message also includes a call to repentance and the promise of restoration for a remnant who seek the Lord (Zephaniah 2:3). God's warnings are often given to prompt a turning back to Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 4:3 (5 votes)

    Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

  • Ezekiel 7:19 (4 votes)

    They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.

  • Jeremiah 12:4 (2 votes)

    How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

  • Micah 5:11 (2 votes)

    And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:

  • Micah 5:14 (2 votes)

    And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.

  • Ezekiel 14:3 (2 votes)

    Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

  • Ezekiel 14:7 (2 votes)

    For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: