Zephaniah 1:9

1:9 On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold,

who fill the house of their master with wealth taken by violence and deceit.

Zephaniah 3:16

3:16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem,

“Don’t be afraid, Zion!

Your hands must not be paralyzed from panic!


sn The point of the statement all who hop over the threshold is unclear. A ritual or superstition associated with the Philistine god Dagon may be in view (see 1 Sam 5:5).

tn The referent of “their master” is unclear. The king or a pagan god may be in view.

tn Heb “who fill…with violence and deceit.” The expression “violence and deceit” refers metonymically to the wealth taken by oppressive measures.

tn Heb “it will be said.” The passive construction has been translated as active for stylistic reasons.

tn Heb “your hands must not go limp.”