Bible Strands
Zephaniah 3:12
But I will leave within you a meek and humble people, and they will trust in the name of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses the remnant of Israel immediately after removing the proud and before describing a truthful, secure population. This declaration occurs within a judicial context where divine preservation follows national judgment.
The words — The Hebrew וְ/הִשְׁאַרְתִּי (ve./hish.'ar.Ti) literally means "and I will leave," while עָנִי וָ/דָל ('a.Ni va./Dal) translates to "afflicted and poor." The verb וְ/חָסוּ (ve./cha.Su) denotes "they will take refuge" within the name of Yahweh.
The thread — The preservation of a vulnerable group that finds security in God's name runs through Isaiah 14:32 and Nahum 1:7. This pattern connects to the prophetic mission to announce deliverance to the poor in Isaiah 61:1.
Why it lands — The text explicitly states that divine retention targets the afflicted rather than the proud, and that their response is trust in God's name. It requires the reader to abandon self-reliance and place confidence solely in divine authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 14:32 What answer will be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, where His afflicted people will find refuge.”
- Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.
- Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,
- Zechariah 13:8 And in all the land, declares the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and perish, but a third will be left in it.
- Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.
- Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
- Psalms 37:40 The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.
- Zechariah 11:11 It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD.
- Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.