King James Version

What Does Zephaniah 1:7 Mean?

Zephaniah 1:7 in the King James Version says “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 sacrifi...” — study this verse from Zephaniah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Zephaniah 1:7 · KJV

Peace

Context

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

9

In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

Read Zephaniah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command 'Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD' (has mip-peney Adonai YHWH) demands reverential silence before divine judgment. This isn't mere quietness but awestruck recognition of God's sovereign majesty and righteous wrath. The 'day of the LORD' arrives with sacrificial imagery: God has prepared a sacrifice (zebah) and consecrated His guests (qadash)—ironic language where Israel becomes the sacrifice and invading armies the guests. This reverses Israel's privileged position, showing that covenant relationship brings heightened accountability. The silence called for resembles Habakkuk 2:20's 'let all the earth keep silence before him'—appropriate response when the Holy Judge acts.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zephaniah prophesied during Josiah's reign (640-609 BC), likely before his reforms (622 BC). Judah had endured Manasseh's wickedness (longest and most evil reign) followed by Amon's brief apostasy. Though Josiah pursued revival, deep-rooted idolatry persisted among the people. Zephaniah warned of coming Babylonian invasion (executed in 605, 597, and 586 BC) using Day of the LORD theology—God's decisive intervention in history to judge evil and vindicate righteousness. The prophet's noble lineage (traced to Hezekiah) gave him access to royal court and authority to speak boldly.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do I approach God with appropriate reverence and holy fear, or with casual presumption?
  2. How does the certainty of divine judgment shape my understanding of grace and my urgency in evangelism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
הַ֕ס1 of 14

“Hold thy peace”

H2013

to hush

מִפְּנֵ֖י2 of 14

“at the presence”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲדֹנָ֣י3 of 14

“of the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֑ה4 of 14

“GOD”

H3069

god

כִּ֤י5 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קָרוֹב֙6 of 14

“is at hand”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

י֣וֹם7 of 14

“for the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יְהוָ֛ה8 of 14

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

כִּֽי9 of 14
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֵכִ֧ין10 of 14

“hath prepared”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 14

“for the LORD”

H3068

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

זֶ֖בַח12 of 14

“a sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הִקְדִּ֥ישׁ13 of 14

“he hath bid”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

קְרֻאָֽיו׃14 of 14

“his guests”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

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 1:7 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 1:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:20Zechariah 2:13Zephaniah 1:14Isaiah 34:6Jeremiah 46:10Isaiah 13:6

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