Bible Strands
Zephaniah 3:18
“I will gather those among you who grieve over the appointed feasts, so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — YHWH addresses the remnant of Israel during a transitional moment following pronouncements of judgment, shifting from condemnation to restoration. The speaker identifies Himself as the mighty Savior who dwells among His people.
The words — אָסַ֖פְתִּי ('a.Saf.ti) translates literally as "I will gather," while נוּגֵ֧י (nu.Gei) denotes those who are "grieved" over מִ/מּוֹעֵ֛ד (mi./mo.'Ed), meaning "appointed feasts." These terms anchor the verse's declaration of divine collection and mourning over disrupted worship.
The thread — The motif of divine gathering recurs in Jeremiah 23:3 and Jeremiah 31:8, where God promises to collect the scattered remnant from exile. The posture of longing for God's presence parallels the sentiment in Psalms 42:2.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that God personally collects the grieving remnant and removes their disgrace. A reader must accept that restoration follows divine initiative rather than human achievement.
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 gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
Cross-references
- Psalms 42:2 My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?
- Jeremiah 23:3 Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply.
- Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly!
- Lamentations 1:4 The roads to Zion mourn, because no one comes to her appointed feasts. All her gates are deserted; her priests groan, her maidens grieve, and she herself is bitter with anguish.
- Lamentations 2:6 He has laid waste His tabernacle like a garden booth; He has destroyed His place of meeting. The LORD has made Zion forget her appointed feasts and Sabbaths. In His fierce anger He has despised both king and priest.
- Ezekiel 36:24 For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and I will bring you back into your own land.
- Zephaniah 3:20 At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you. For I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your captives before your very eyes,” says the LORD.
- Psalms 43:3 Send out Your light and Your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy mountain and to the place where You dwell.
- Psalms 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.
- Psalms 84:1 For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts!