Zephaniah 3:1

ΒΆ Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

Woe {H1945} to her that is filthy {H4754} and polluted {H1351}, to the oppressing {H3238} city {H5892}!

Woe to her who is filthy, defiled; woe to the tyrant city!

Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!

Woe to her that is rebellious and polluted! to the oppressing city!

Commentary

Zephaniah 3:1 (KJV): "ΒΆ Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!"

Context

Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah in Judah (c. 640-609 BC). While Josiah initiated religious reforms, the nation had deeply backslidden into idolatry, corruption, and social injustice under previous kings. Chapter 3 specifically focuses on the indictment against Jerusalem itself, the capital city, which was meant to be a center of holiness and justice but had become the opposite. This verse marks the beginning of a strong denunciation against the city before the prophecy pivots to a future hope.

Key Themes

  • Judgment on Sin: The verse pronounces a "woe" – a declaration of impending judgment and sorrow – upon the city due to its moral state.
  • Moral Corruption: The descriptions "filthy and polluted" point to deep spiritual and moral defilement, not just ceremonial impurity.
  • Social Injustice: Calling the city "oppressing" highlights its failure to uphold justice and its active mistreatment of its own people, likely the poor, widows, and orphans. This combination of religious apostasy and social wickedness was a consistent theme in prophetic condemnation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words translated "filthy and polluted" carry strong connotations of moral defilement and corruption. The term for "oppressing" (ΧžΦΉΧ•Χ¨ΦΈΧΦΈΧ”, mora'ah) implies a city that is rebellious, violent, or tyrannical, actively causing distress and injustice to others. It speaks to the city's actions and character, not just its state.

Related Scriptures

This denunciation of a corrupt city echoes similar warnings in other prophets. Isaiah also condemned Jerusalem's transformation from a faithful city into a harlot, full of murderers and oppressors (see Isaiah 1:21). The theme of God's judgment on nations and cities for their wickedness and injustice is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, such as the condemnation of other oppressive cities like Nineveh (Nahum 3:1). The concept of a city being held accountable for its collective sin is a significant biblical principle.

Practical Application

While directed at ancient Jerusalem, this verse serves as a timeless warning against spiritual corruption and social injustice in any community or even individual life. It challenges us to examine whether we are living in ways that are "filthy and polluted" by sin or participating in systems that are "oppressing" others. It reminds believers that God sees and will judge both private sin and public injustice. The call is always to repentance and a return to righteousness and justice, reflecting what the Lord requires: to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 6:6

    For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this [is] the city to be visited; she [is] wholly oppression in the midst of her.

  • Isaiah 59:13

    In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

  • Isaiah 30:12

    Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

  • Ezekiel 22:7

    In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.

  • Zechariah 7:10

    And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Micah 2:2

    And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.
← Back