King James Version

What Does Zephaniah 3:16 Mean?

Zephaniah 3:16 in the King James Version says “In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. slack: or, faint” — study this verse from Zephaniah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. slack: or, faint”

Zephaniah 3:16 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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.

16

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. slack: or, faint

17

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. rest: Heb. be silent

18

I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. reproach: Heb. the burden upon it was reproach

Read Zephaniah 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not—"in that day" (bayom hahu, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא) continues the eschatological restoration scene. "It shall be said" (ye'amer, יֵאָמֵר) uses passive voice—either God speaks, or the prophetic community announces God's word. "Fear thou not" (al-tir'i, אַל־תִּירְאִי) commands cessation of fear, anxiety, and terror. This echoes throughout Scripture's salvation announcements: to Abraham (Genesis 15:1), Moses (Exodus 14:13), Joshua (Joshua 8:1), Gideon (Judges 6:23), Mary (Luke 1:30), the disciples (Matthew 28:10), and the church (Revelation 1:17). When God acts in salvation, "fear not" is the appropriate response.

And to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack—le-Tsiyyon al-yirpu yadayikh (לְצִיּוֹן אַל־יִרְפּוּ יָדָיִךְ) uses raphah (רָפָה) meaning to sink, relax, become weak or discouraged. "Hands slack" depicts loss of strength, dropping arms in exhaustion or defeat—giving up. The command forbids discouragement, calling for persistent faithfulness and energetic service. This contrasts with fearful paralysis or despairing inactivity. The verse's two commands work together: "fear not" addresses emotional/spiritual fear; "let not thine hands be slack" addresses behavioral response—don't let fear produce inactivity or abandonment of responsibility.

The combination appears elsewhere in Scripture. Moses commanded Israel at the Red Sea: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13). David encouraged Solomon in temple-building: "Fear not, nor be dismayed...the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee" (1 Chronicles 28:20). Haggai commanded the post-exilic community: "Be strong...and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts" (Haggai 2:4). The pattern remains: God's presence and promises remove fear and provide motivation for faithful, energetic obedience. Faith produces courage; courage produces faithfulness; faithfulness demonstrates genuine faith (Hebrews 11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse directly addresses the post-exilic community's discouragement. When Jews returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple (538 BC onward), they faced overwhelming obstacles: opposition from surrounding peoples (Ezra 4), economic hardship, modest resources, and the stark contrast between their weakness and former glory. Haggai describes their discouragement: "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?" (Haggai 2:3).

The people's hands literally became "slack." Ezra records: "Then ceased the work of the house of God" (Ezra 4:24). Discouragement produced paralysis—they stopped building, stopped obeying, stopped trusting God's promises. Both Haggai and Zechariah ministered during this crisis, calling the people to renewed courage and faithful work. Haggai declared: "Be strong...and work: for I am with you" (Haggai 2:4). Zechariah encouraged: "Let your hands be strong" (Zechariah 8:9, 13). The people responded, completing the temple (516 BC) despite obstacles.

The pattern repeats throughout redemptive history and individual experience. Circumstances tempt believers toward fear and slack-handed inactivity: persecution, cultural opposition, apparent failure, resource limitations, overwhelming obstacles. God's word consistently responds: "Fear not"—God's presence, promises, and power remove legitimate grounds for paralyzing fear. "Let not hands be slack"—maintain faithful obedience and energetic service regardless of circumstances. Faith produces courage; courage produces faithful action; faithful action glorifies God and advances His purposes (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Reflection Questions

  1. What circumstances or obstacles currently tempt you toward fear or slack-handed discouragement in Christian living and service?
  2. How does remembering God's presence "in the midst" (verse 15) provide foundation for obeying the commands "fear not" and "let not hands be slack"?
  3. What does it look like practically to maintain strong hands and faithful work when circumstances appear overwhelming or discouraging?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
בַּיּ֣וֹם1 of 10

“In that 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

הַה֔וּא2 of 10
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יֵאָמֵ֥ר3 of 10

“it shall be said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם4 of 10

“to Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אַל5 of 10
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֑אִי6 of 10

“Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

צִיּ֖וֹן7 of 10

“thou not and to Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

אַל8 of 10
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִרְפּ֥וּ9 of 10

“be slack”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

יָדָֽיִךְ׃10 of 10

“Let not thine hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

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 3:16 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 3:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 12:12Isaiah 35:3-4Isaiah 41:10Ephesians 3:13Galatians 6:9Isaiah 44:2

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Zephaniah 3 →

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