Zephaniah 3:16

KJV

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to] Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

KJV (with Strong's)

In that day {H3117} it shall be said {H559} to Jerusalem {H3389}, Fear {H3372} thou not: and to Zion {H6726}, Let not thine hands {H3027} be slack {H7503}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On that day, it will be said to Yerushalayim, "Do not fear, Tziyon! don't let your hands droop down.

Berean Standard Bible

On that day they will say to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands fall limp.

American Standard Version

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zephaniah 3:16 delivers a powerful divine injunction to the restored remnant of Jerusalem and Zion, urging them to cast off fear and embrace steadfast diligence. Following a period of severe judgment and subsequent purification, this verse serves as a beacon of hope, rooted in the assured presence of God among His people, calling them to active faith and unwavering resolve in the face of their glorious future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zephaniah 3:16 marks a pivotal turn in the book of Zephaniah, shifting dramatically from pronouncements of judgment against Judah and surrounding nations (chapters 1-2 and Zephaniah 3:1-8) to a glorious vision of restoration and salvation. The verses immediately preceding, [Zephaniah 3:14-15](/zephaniah/3-14-15 "Zephaniah 3:14-15 - Joyful Restoration"), burst forth in a triumphant call to rejoice, declaring that the Lord has removed their judgment, cast out their enemies, and is now present "in the midst of thee." Verse 16, therefore, is a direct exhortation to this newly purified and divinely indwelt community, building upon the foundation of God's redemptive work and assuring presence. It transitions from a declaration of what God *has done* and *will do* to a command regarding the people's appropriate response.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah (640-609 BC), a time marked by widespread idolatry and social injustice in Judah, despite Josiah's later reforms. The prophet's initial message of impending "day of the Lord" (e.g., [Zephaniah 1:7](/zephaniah/1-7 "Zephaniah 1:7 - The Day of the Lord is at Hand")) warned of the Babylonian exile, which would indeed come. However, the latter part of the book, including chapter 3, looks beyond this judgment to a future restoration, likely post-exilic, where a remnant returns to a purified Jerusalem. Culturally, the imagery of "slack hands" would have been readily understood as a sign of weakness, despair, or idleness, contrasting sharply with the active, diligent work required for rebuilding and spiritual renewal in a post-judgment era. The call to "Fear not" was a common divine reassurance in the ancient Near East, often delivered to leaders or people facing daunting tasks or threats.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Zephaniah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Presence and Assurance**, emphasizing that God's dwelling "in the midst" of His people (as declared in [Zephaniah 3:15](/zephaniah/3-15 "Zephaniah 3:15 - The Lord is in Your Midst")) is the ultimate basis for their courage and hope. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Human Responsibility in Restoration**, showing that while God initiates and accomplishes salvation, His people are called to respond with active faith and perseverance, not succumbing to fear or spiritual lethargy. This echoes the call to diligence found in other prophetic books, such as [Haggai 2:4](/haggai/2-4 "Haggai 2:4 - Be Strong and Work"). Finally, it speaks to the **Transformation from Judgment to Hope**, illustrating how God's severe discipline is ultimately redemptive, leading to a renewed relationship and a future filled with divine blessing, contrasting sharply with the earlier warnings of desolation in passages like [Zephaniah 1:2-3](/zephaniah/1-2-3 "Zephaniah 1:2-3 - Judgment on All Creation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yârêʼ_ H3372):** This primitive root means "to fear," but also "to revere" or "to be afraid." In this context, it carries the sense of being terrified, dreading, or being put in a state of alarm. The command "Fear thou not" is a direct imperative, an authoritative divine prohibition against succumbing to paralyzing dread or anxiety, especially in light of the glorious promises and the Lord's presence.
* **hands (Hebrew, _yâd_ H3027):** A primitive word referring to the "hand," often the open one, indicating power, means, direction, or agency. Figuratively, "hands" can represent one's strength, activity, labor, or capacity for action. In the idiom "let not thine hands be slack," it refers to the cessation of effort or the loss of resolve, signifying idleness, discouragement, or giving up.
* **slack (Hebrew, _râphâh_ H7503):** A primitive root meaning "to slacken" or "to relax." It can imply abatement, ceasing, failing, being faint, or becoming feeble. When applied to "hands," it vividly portrays a state of weakness, idleness, or discouragement, where one's capacity for work or active engagement is diminished or entirely abandoned. The command is against this spiritual and practical inertia.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem,"**: This phrase sets the eschatological context, referring to the "Day of the Lord" – not merely a single 24-hour period, but an appointed time when God intervenes decisively in history. Here, it signifies a future era of divine restoration and blessing, following the judgment. The message is specifically directed to Jerusalem, the capital city and symbolic heart of God's people. The passive voice "it shall be said" suggests a divine utterance or a universally acknowledged truth stemming from God's work.
* **"Fear thou not:"**: This is a direct, imperative command from God to His people. It is an assurance and an exhortation to cast off paralyzing fear, anxiety, or dread. This command is rooted in the preceding verses that declare God's presence and His removal of their enemies and judgment, providing a solid basis for confidence.
* **"and to Zion,"**: Zion is often used interchangeably with Jerusalem, referring to the temple mount and, by extension, the entire city or the people of God. Its inclusion emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the message, directed to all who belong to the covenant community. It reinforces the idea that this is a collective exhortation to the entire redeemed nation.
* **"Let not thine hands be slack."**: This is an idiomatic expression meaning "do not be idle," "do not lose heart," or "do not give up." It is a call to active diligence, perseverance, and continued effort in faith and obedience. Despite past failures or the challenges of rebuilding, the people are exhorted to maintain their resolve, work diligently, and not succumb to spiritual or practical inertia, knowing that God is with them.

#### Literary Devices
Zephaniah 3:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine encouragement and human responsibility. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, seen in the direct commands "Fear thou not" and "Let not thine hands be slack." These are not suggestions but authoritative divine injunctions, emphasizing the urgency and necessity of the people's response. **Personification** is also evident, as Jerusalem and Zion, though cities, are addressed as if they are individuals capable of hearing and obeying these commands, imbuing them with a collective identity and agency. Furthermore, the phrase "Let not thine hands be slack" is a vivid **Idiom** or **Metonymy**, where "hands" (a part of the body) represent one's entire capacity for work, effort, or resolve. The image of "slack hands" powerfully conveys the idea of giving up, losing courage, or becoming idle, contrasting with the desired state of active engagement and perseverance. The verse's structure, moving from a declaration of divine action ("In that day it shall be said") to a direct address and command, creates a sense of **Prophetic Urgency** and direct engagement with the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zephaniah 3:16 encapsulates a profound theological truth: God's redemptive work always calls for a corresponding response of faith and diligence from His people. The divine command to "fear not" is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, always grounded in God's sovereign presence and power, assuring His people that He is with them to protect, deliver, and empower. This assurance, however, does not lead to passivity but to active engagement, as seen in the command not to let their hands be slack. This balance between divine initiative and human responsibility is central to biblical theology, highlighting that salvation leads to service, and God's presence empowers perseverance in the face of any challenge.

* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Strengthen")
* [Haggai 2:4](/haggai/2-4 "Haggai 2:4 - Be Strong and Work")
* [Hebrews 12:12](/hebrews/12-12 "Hebrews 12:12 - Lift Up the Hands Which Hang Down")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zephaniah 3:16 offers timeless encouragement for believers navigating a world often fraught with uncertainty, challenges, and the temptation to despair. Just as the ancient Israelites were called to shed fear and embrace diligence in the knowledge of God's indwelling presence, so too are we. In our personal lives, when faced with overwhelming circumstances, spiritual battles, or the weariness of long-term service, this verse reminds us that our courage is not self-generated but flows from the unwavering assurance that the Lord is "in our midst." It calls us to actively resist the paralysis of fear and the temptation to give up, instead maintaining steadfastness in prayer, service, and daily obedience. Our hands are not to be slack, but actively engaged in the work of the Kingdom, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain, for He Himself is our strength and our hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific fears or anxieties are currently causing your "hands to be slack" in your walk with God or in your service to others?**
* **How does the knowledge of God's active presence "in your midst" empower you to overcome these fears and maintain diligence?**
* **In what practical ways can you "not let your hands be slack" in your spiritual disciplines, relationships, or vocational callings this week?**
* **How might this verse encourage a community or church that is facing discouragement or a significant challenge?**

### FAQ

**What does "In that day" refer to in Zephaniah 3:16?**

Answer: "In that day" (Hebrew: *yôwm*) refers to a specific, appointed time in God's redemptive plan, often called the "Day of the Lord." While in other parts of Zephaniah it signifies a day of judgment, in [Zephaniah 3](/zephaniah/3 "Zephaniah 3 - Restoration and Salvation") it refers to a future era of salvation, purification, and glorious restoration for God's people. It's a time when God decisively intervenes to fulfill His promises, remove His people's enemies, and establish His presence among them, leading to a new season of peace and blessing.

**What is the significance of "Jerusalem" and "Zion" in this verse?**

Answer: "Jerusalem" and "Zion" are often used interchangeably in biblical prophecy to refer to the capital city of Judah and, by extension, the entire covenant community of Israel. Jerusalem represents the physical city, while Zion, originally the name of the fortress within Jerusalem, often carries a more theological or spiritual connotation as the dwelling place of God and the center of His redemptive activity. Addressing both emphasizes that the divine message of encouragement and command to steadfastness is for the entire people of God, both physically and spiritually. It underscores their identity as God's chosen people, now purified and restored.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zephaniah 3:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "Day" of ultimate salvation and God's dwelling "in the midst" of His people is perfectly realized in the incarnation of Christ, for He is "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ removed the judgment and "cast out" the ultimate enemy, sin, making true reconciliation with God possible. Therefore, the command "Fear thou not" resonates with a new depth for believers in Christ, for our confidence is not merely in a future promise but in a historical reality: the resurrected Lord, who assures us, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples... And behold, I am with you always, to the very end of the age" ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). Furthermore, the exhortation "Let not thine hands be slack" is fulfilled by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent to indwell believers. We are not left to our own strength to persevere, but are enabled by the Spirit to "run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:1-2](/hebrews/12-1-2 "Hebrews 12:1-2 - Running the Race with Endurance")). Thus, Zephaniah 3:16 points forward to the reality that in Christ, we have every reason to cast off fear and every spiritual resource to live lives of diligent, active faith, anticipating the full consummation of God's dwelling with His people in the New Jerusalem ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Man")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 35:3

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Isaiah 35:4

Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.

Hebrews 12:12

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Isaiah 40:9

¶ O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift [it] up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Revelation 2:3

And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.