Zephaniah 3:8

¶ Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination [is] to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, [even] all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

Therefore wait {H2442} ye upon me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, until the day {H3117} that I rise up {H6965} to the prey {H5706}: for my determination {H4941} is to gather {H622} the nations {H1471}, that I may assemble {H6908} the kingdoms {H4467}, to pour {H8210} upon them mine indignation {H2195}, even all my fierce {H2740} anger {H639}: for all the earth {H776} shall be devoured {H398} with the fire {H784} of my jealousy {H7068}.

Therefore, wait for me," says ADONAI, "for the day when I rise to witness against you, when I decide to assemble nations, to gather kingdoms together, to pour on them my indignation, all my furious anger; for all the earth will be consumed in the fire of my passion.

Therefore wait for Me,” declares the LORD, “until the day I rise to testify. For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them My indignation— all My burning anger. For all the earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy.

Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

Commentary

Zephaniah 3:8 presents a powerful declaration from the LORD, emphasizing His sovereignty, His plan for global judgment, and the holy intensity of His wrath. This verse stands as a solemn warning to all nations, yet it also contains a call to patience for His people.

Context

The prophet Zephaniah delivers a message primarily concerning the impending "Day of the LORD," a time of divine judgment, first upon Judah and Jerusalem for their idolatry, corruption, and spiritual apathy (Zephaniah 1:4-6). However, the prophecy also extends to surrounding nations who have oppressed God's people or engaged in wickedness. Zephaniah 3:8, therefore, broadens the scope of judgment to encompass all kingdoms, serving as a preamble to the subsequent promises of restoration and a purified remnant in Zephaniah 3:9-20. It highlights that God's justice is universal, not limited to His covenant people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The verse unequivocally states God's "determination...to gather the nations" and "assemble the kingdoms" for judgment. This underscores God's absolute control over human history and His plan to hold all accountable. This theme of God gathering nations for judgment is common in prophetic literature, such as seen in Joel 3:2.
  • God's Indignation and Fierce Anger: The language "pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger" conveys the severity and totality of God's righteous wrath against sin and rebellion. This is not a human temper tantrum, but a holy and just response to widespread wickedness, as described in Romans 1:18.
  • The "Fire of My Jealousy": This powerful metaphor indicates God's zealous passion for His own honor and glory. His "jealousy" (Hebrew: qin'ah) is not envy but an intolerance of rivals and a fervent commitment to His covenant and purity. It implies that His judgment is a consuming fire that purges wickedness, consistent with the description of God as a consuming fire in the New Testament.
  • The Call to Wait: The opening command, "Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD," is crucial. It calls God's people to patient endurance and trust in His timing, even when faced with overwhelming evil or the delay of promised judgment. This echoes the broader biblical theme of waiting on the Lord for strength and deliverance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "determination" is mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), which often translates to "judgment" or "justice." Here, it signifies God's firm, unchangeable decree or judicial decision to bring about this global judgment. The phrase "rise up to the prey" (לַעַד עַד־יוֹם קוּמִי לְעַד) paints a vivid picture of God actively preparing for and executing His decisive judgment, often associated with the Day of the Lord.

Practical Application

Zephaniah 3:8 serves as a reminder of God's ultimate justice and authority over all creation. For believers, it reinforces the importance of living righteously and patiently trusting in God's perfect timing, knowing that He will indeed address all evil. For those who do not acknowledge Him, it stands as a solemn warning of impending accountability. It also highlights the seriousness of sin and idolatry in God's eyes, urging humanity to turn from wickedness and seek Him before the full measure of His holy indignation is poured out. The call to "wait" encourages steadfastness and hope in His eventual triumph and the establishment of His righteous kingdom.

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

  • Joel 3:2

    I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and [for] my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

  • Zephaniah 1:18

    Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD'S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

  • Psalms 27:14

    Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

  • Micah 7:7

    ¶ Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • Joel 3:9

    ¶ Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

  • Joel 3:16

    The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
← Back