King James Version

What Does Zephaniah 1:6 Mean?

Zephaniah 1:6 in the King James Version says “And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.” — study this verse from Zephaniah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.”

Zephaniah 1:6 · KJV

Context

4

I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;

5

And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; by the: or, to the LORD

6

And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.

7

Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. bid: Heb. sanctified, or, prepared

8

And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. punish: Heb. visit upon

Read Zephaniah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Them that are turned back from the LORD (ha-nasogim me-acharey Yahweh, הַנְּסוֹגִים מֵאַחֲרֵי יְהוָה)—The verb nasog (נָסוֹג) means to turn back, withdraw, retreat, apostatize. This describes deliberate abandonment, not mere neglect. The phrase from the LORD (me-acharey Yahweh) literally means "from after the LORD"—they once followed but turned away, reversing direction. This is covenant apostasy, the willful rejection of prior commitment and relationship.

Apostasy differs from initial unbelief. These are people who knew Yahweh, experienced His covenant mercies, participated in temple worship, yet deliberately turned away. Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-29 warn of this same danger—those who "fall away" after tasting heavenly gifts or who "trample the Son of God underfoot" after knowing truth face severe judgment. The Old Testament prescribes death for apostates who entice others to idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:6-11), demonstrating covenant abandonment's gravity.

Those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him—This describes passive neglect rather than active apostasy. Sought (baqash, בָּקַשׁ) means to search for, seek diligently, pursue eagerly. Enquired (darash, דָּרַשׁ) means to investigate, consult, seek guidance from. These people never pursued relationship with God, never consulted His will, never sought His face in worship or prayer. They lived practical atheism—functioning as though God didn't exist, making decisions without reference to His revealed will. Both active apostasy and passive neglect warrant judgment—sins of commission and sins of omission both violate covenant relationship with the living God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse describes two categories prevalent in Josiah's Judah: those who abandoned former faith (apostates) and those raised in spiritual apathy (neglecters). After Manasseh's long idolatrous reign, some who had known true Yahweh worship during Hezekiah's godly rule (715-686 BC) turned to syncretism and paganism. These were the turned back—deliberate apostates who exchanged covenant faithfulness for idolatry's enticing promises of prosperity, fertility, and cultural acceptance.

The second group—those that have not sought the LORD—represents the generation raised during Manasseh and Amon's reigns. Growing up surrounded by normalized paganism, temple prostitution, child sacrifice, and astral worship, they never learned genuine covenant faith. Though ethnically Judean and nominally Yahweh worshipers, they had no personal relationship with God, no knowledge of His law, no practice of seeking His will. Josiah's reforms couldn't quickly reverse this generational spiritual ignorance.

Jeremiah, Zephaniah's contemporary, repeatedly condemns both groups. He laments that people "have forsaken me, and have not kept my law" (Jeremiah 16:11)—active apostasy. He also describes generation after generation that "walked in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward" (Jeremiah 7:24)—inherited spiritual apathy. Both patterns persist throughout church history: those who once professed faith but turned away (apostates) and those raised in religious culture who never personally pursued God (nominal believers). Both face identical judgment unless genuine repentance transforms hearts.

Reflection Questions

  1. What cultural or personal factors tempt believers toward gradual withdrawal "from after the LORD" rather than maintaining pursuit of Him?
  2. How does passive neglect (failing to seek God) differ from and yet share guilt with active apostasy (turning away from God)?
  3. In what ways can religious upbringing or cultural Christianity substitute for genuine seeking and enquiring after God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְאֶת1 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַנְּסוֹגִ֖ים2 of 11

“And them that are turned back”

H5472

properly, to flinch, i.e., (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or figuratively (to apostatize)

מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י3 of 11

“from”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יְהוָ֖ה4 of 11

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַאֲשֶׁ֛ר5 of 11
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא6 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בִקְשׁ֥וּ7 of 11

“and those that have not sought”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

אֶת8 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה9 of 11

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְלֹ֥א10 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

דְרָשֻֽׁהוּ׃11 of 11

“nor enquired”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zephaniah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zephaniah 1:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zephaniah 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:4Jeremiah 2:13Jeremiah 15:6Jeremiah 2:17Jeremiah 3:10Hosea 11:7

Test Your Knowledge

Zephaniah 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterZephaniah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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