King James Version

What Does Zephaniah 3:13 Mean?

Zephaniah 3:13 in the King James Version says “The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: f...” — study this verse from Zephaniah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”

Zephaniah 3:13 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

11

In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. because: Heb. in my holy

12

I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

13

The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

14

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15

The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

Read Zephaniah 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies—this verse describes the purified remnant's moral character. "Remnant" (she'erit Yisra'el, שְׁאֵרִית יִשְׂרָאֵל) refers to those preserved through judgment, the faithful subset surviving divine winnowing. "Shall not do iniquity" (lo ya'asu avlah, לֹא־יַעֲשׂוּ עַוְלָה) uses avlah (עַוְלָה) meaning injustice, unrighteousness, or wrong—particularly social and economic oppression. The remnant practices covenant justice toward others. "Nor speak lies" (ve-lo yedaberu khazav, וְלֹא־יְדַבְּרוּ כָזָב) condemns falsehood, deception, and dishonest speech—contrasting with corrupt leaders and false prophets (3:4).

Neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth—ve-lo yimatse be-ppihem leshon tarmit (וְלֹא־יִמָּצֵא בְּפִיהֶם לְשׁוֹן תַּרְמִית) intensifies the point through parallelism. "Deceitful tongue" (leshon tarmit, לְשׁוֹן תַּרְמִית) emphasizes fraudulent, crafty speech designed to deceive and exploit. The phrase "shall not be found" suggests thorough examination reveals no hidden deceit—complete internal and external integrity. This describes regenerate hearts producing righteous words and deeds (Matthew 12:34-35, James 3:2-12).

For they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid—ki-hemah yir'u ve-ravesu ve-en macharid (כִּי־הֵמָּה יִרְעוּ וְרָבְצוּ וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד) uses pastoral imagery of secure sheep. "Feed" (ra'ah, רָעָה) means to pasture or graze, suggesting abundant provision. "Lie down" (ravats, רָבַץ) depicts rest and security—sheep lying down signals no predator threat. "None shall make them afraid" promises freedom from terror, anxiety, and danger. This echoes covenant blessings (Leviticus 26:6, Ezekiel 34:25-28) and anticipates the Good Shepherd's provision (Psalm 23, John 10:11-18). The remnant's righteousness produces security; walking in God's ways brings peace (Isaiah 32:17-18). This contrasts with the wicked who "are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest...There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:20-21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Zephaniah's description of the righteous remnant contrasts sharply with pre-exilic Jerusalem characterized by injustice, lies, and deceit (3:1-4). The exile purged corruption, producing a faithful remnant committed to covenant obedience. Historical fulfillment began with the post-exilic community. Jews returning from Babylon showed remarkable transformation: permanent abandonment of idolatry, renewed commitment to Torah, emphasis on justice and truth. Ezra and Nehemiah record the community's covenant renewal and commitment to righteous living (Nehemiah 9-10).

This didn't mean sinless perfection—post-exilic books address ongoing struggles with intermarriage, Sabbath-breaking, and neglect of temple support. Yet the character transformation was real: the besetting sins of pre-exilic Israel (idolatry, false prophecy, social oppression) largely disappeared. The community that preserved Scripture, maintained worship, and prepared for Messiah's coming demonstrated the remnant character Zephaniah prophesied.

The New Testament church inherits remnant identity. Paul identifies believers as the true Israel, the remnant chosen by grace (Romans 9:6-8, 11:1-5). Peter describes the church using language previously applied to Israel: chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). The remnant's characteristics—righteousness, truthfulness, security—should mark believers, though full realization awaits glorification. Sanctification progressively conforms believers to this pattern; glorification will complete it when Christ returns and sin is finally removed (1 John 3:2-3, Revelation 21:27).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this description of the remnant's character—no iniquity, no lies, no deceit—serve as both encouragement and diagnostic for examining personal holiness?
  2. What is the relationship between the remnant's righteousness and their security/peace, and how does this inform Christian living?
  3. How should the church corporately embody remnant identity through commitment to truth, justice, and integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
שְׁאֵרִ֨ית1 of 19

“The remnant”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל2 of 19

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֹֽא3 of 19
H3808

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

יַעֲשׂ֤וּ4 of 19

“shall not do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עַוְלָה֙5 of 19

“iniquity”

H5766

(moral) evil

וְלֹא6 of 19
H3808

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

יְדַבְּר֣וּ7 of 19

“nor speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

כָזָ֔ב8 of 19

“lies”

H3577

falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)

וְלֹֽא9 of 19
H3808

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

יִמָּצֵ֥א10 of 19

“be found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְּפִיהֶ֖ם11 of 19

“in their mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

לְשׁ֣וֹן12 of 19

“tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

תַּרְמִ֑ית13 of 19

“neither shall a deceitful”

H8649

fraud

כִּֽי14 of 19
H3588

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

הֵ֛מָּה15 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יִרְע֥וּ16 of 19

“for they shall feed”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

וְרָבְצ֖וּ17 of 19

“and lie down”

H7257

to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

וְאֵ֥ין18 of 19
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַחֲרִֽיד׃19 of 19

“and none shall make them afraid”

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

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 3:13 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 3:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 14:5Zephaniah 2:7Isaiah 60:21Micah 4:7Micah 4:4Ezekiel 34:13-15

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