Zephaniah 2:3

“Seek YHWH, all the humble of the earth, who practice his justice; seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the anger of YHWH.”

Zephaniah 2:3 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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With the Hebrew beneath

3

Zephaniah 2:3, word by word

Seekבַּקְּשׁוּbakshu

seek

To go after someone or something in order to find it.

Where else “bakshu” appears
YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears
the humbleעַנְוֵיanve

humble, afflicted

Humble, afflicted: one who is low, by his condition or by his attitude; meek.

Where else “anve” appears
of the earthאָרֶץarets

earth

The whole world, everything under the sky.

Where else “arets” appears
practiceפָּעָלוּpaalu

do, make

Do, make, carry out.

Where else “paalu” appears
his justiceמִשְׁפָּטmishpat

justice

What is right and fair.

Where else “mishpat” appears
righteousnessצֶדֶקtsedek

righteousness

Living uprightly before God.

Where else “tsedek” appears
humilityעֲנָוָהanava

humility

Humility, gentleness; not thinking oneself more than others.

Where else “anava” appears
perhapsאוּלַיulay

perhaps

Perhaps, maybe.

Where else “ulay” appears
you will be hiddenתִּסָּתְרוּtisatru

hide

To put someone or something out of sight, to keep it safe or to flee.

Where else “tisatru” appears
on the dayיוֹםyom

day of YHWH

"The day of YHWH", when he comes to judge.

Where else “yom” appears
of the angerאַףaf

anger

The rage of one who snorts; the "long of nose" is slow to become angry.

Where else “af” appears

The context

2before the decree gives birth —like chaff the day passes—, before there comes upon you the burning of the anger of YHWH, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of YHWH.

3 · This verse (above)

4For Gaza will be abandoned, and Ashkelon a desolation; Ashdod, at noon they will drive her out, and Ekron will be uprooted.

Read all of Zephaniah 2

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