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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Zephaniah 3:3 Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/zephaniah/3-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/36_Zep_03_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Zephaniah 3:3 - The Judgment on Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/zephaniah/3-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/zephaniah/3-3.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/zephaniah/">Zephaniah</a> > <a href="/zephaniah/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/zephaniah/3-2.htm" title="Zephaniah 3:2">◄</a> Zephaniah 3:3 <a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm" title="Zephaniah 3:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/zephaniah/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/zephaniah/3.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Her officials within her are roaring lions; her rulers are evening wolves, who leave nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/zephaniah/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Its leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims. Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/zephaniah/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/zephaniah/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/zephaniah/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Her princes within her <i>are</i> roaring lions; her judges <i>are</i> evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/zephaniah/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Her princes in her midst <i>are</i> roaring lions; Her judges <i>are</i> evening wolves That leave not a bone till morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/zephaniah/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Her leaders within her are roaring lions, Her judges are wolves at evening; They have no bones to gnaw in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/zephaniah/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Her princes within her are roaring lions, Her judges are wolves at evening; They leave nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/zephaniah/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Her princes within her are roaring lions, Her judges are wolves at evening; They leave nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/zephaniah/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Her princes in her midst are roaring lions; Her judges are wolves at evening; They <i>leave</i> nothing to gnaw for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/zephaniah/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Her officials within her are roaring lions; Her judges are [as hungry as] the wolves at evening, They leave nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/zephaniah/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are wolves of the night, which leave nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/zephaniah/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are wolves of the night, which leave nothing for the morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/zephaniah/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing till the morrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/zephaniah/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Its officials are roaring lions, its judges are wolves; in the evening they attack, by morning nothing is left. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/zephaniah/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing till the morrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/zephaniah/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Its officials are [like] roaring lions. Its judges are [like] wolves in the evening. They leave nothing to gnaw on for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/zephaniah/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Its officials are like roaring lions; its judges are like hungry wolves, too greedy to leave a bone until morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/zephaniah/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Its national officials are roaring lions; its judges are like wolves of the night that don't leave the bones for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/zephaniah/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Her princes are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves, leaving nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/zephaniah/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Her princes are as fierce as roaring lions; her rulers are as hungry as wolves in the desert, who completely devour their prey by morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/zephaniah/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing until the next day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/zephaniah/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/zephaniah/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Her princes within her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing until the next day. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/zephaniah/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Her heads in her midst [are] roaring lions, "" Her judges [are] wolves [as in] evening, "" They have not gnawn the bone in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/zephaniah/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Her heads in her midst are roaring lions, Her judges are evening wolves, They have not gnawn the bone in the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/zephaniah/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Her chiefs in the midst of her are roaring lions; her judges evening wolves; they laid not up for the morning.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/zephaniah/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Her princes are in the midst of her as roaring lions: her judges are evening wolves, they left nothing for the morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/zephaniah/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Her leaders are in her midst like roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves; they leave nothing for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/zephaniah/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Its officials within it are roaring lions; Its judges are desert wolves that have no bones to gnaw by morning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/zephaniah/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The officials within it are roaring lions; its judges are evening wolves that leave nothing until the morning.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/zephaniah/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Her princes within her are roaring like lions; her judges are like evening wolves; they wait not for the morning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/zephaniah/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Her Princes within her roar like lionesses and her Judges are like evening wolves and do not wait for morning<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/zephaniah/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Her princes in the midst of her are roaring lions; Her judges are wolves of the desert, They leave not a bone for the morrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/zephaniah/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Her princes within her were as roaring lions, her judges as the wolves of Arabia; they remained not till the morrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T0cd_1JKnyY?start=432" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/zephaniah/3.htm">The Judgment on Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>She heeded no voice; she accepted no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she has not drawn near to her God. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śā·re·hā (N-mpc:: 3fs) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">Her princes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7130.htm" title="7130: ḇə·qir·bāh (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Inward part, midst. From qarab; properly, the nearest part, i.e. The center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7580.htm" title="7580: šō·’ă·ḡîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To roar. A primitive root; to rumble or moan.">are roaring</a> <a href="/hebrew/738.htm" title="738: ’ă·rā·yō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- A lion. Or earyeh; from 'arah; a lion.">lions;</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: šō·p̄ə·ṭe·hā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3fs) -- To judge, govern. ">her judges are</a> <a href="/hebrew/6153.htm" title="6153: ‘e·reḇ (N-ms) -- Evening. From arab; dusk.">evening</a> <a href="/hebrew/2061.htm" title="2061: zə·’ê·ḇê (N-mpc) -- A wolf. From an unused root meaning to be yellow; a wolf.">wolves,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1633.htm" title="1633: ḡā·rə·mū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to be spare or skeleton-like; used only as a denominative from gerem; to bone, i.e. Denude the bones.">leaving</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/1242.htm" title="1242: lab·bō·qer (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Morn- ing. From baqar; properly, dawn; generally, morning.">for the morning.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27</a></span><br />Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-1.htm">Micah 3:1-3</a></span><br />Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice? / You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. / You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-11</a></span><br />Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26-28</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/7-3.htm">Hosea 7:3-7</a></span><br />They delight the king with their evil, and the princes with their lies. / They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by a baker who needs not stoke the fire from the kneading to the rising of the dough. / The princes are inflamed with wine on the day of our king; so he joins hands with those who mock him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm">Isaiah 1:23</a></span><br />Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-17.htm">Jeremiah 22:17</a></span><br />“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13-15</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39-44</a></span><br />Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. / You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? / But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29-30</a></span><br />I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/20-46.htm">Luke 20:46-47</a></span><br />“Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.</p><p class="hdg">princes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/4-8.htm">Job 4:8-11</a></b></br> Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-8.htm">Psalm 10:8-10</a></b></br> He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/28-15.htm">Proverbs 28:15</a></b></br> <i>As</i> a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; <i>so is</i> a wicked ruler over the poor people.</p><p class="hdg">evening.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-6.htm">Jeremiah 5:6</a></b></br> Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, <i>and</i> a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, <i>and</i> their backslidings are increased.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Habakkuk 1:8</a></b></br> Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle <i>that</i> hasteth to eat.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/39-15.htm">Bone</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-16.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-12.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-13.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-34.htm">Gnaw</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-8.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/micah/3-9.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/nahum/2-13.htm">Lions</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/micah/2-1.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/jonah/4-7.htm">Morrow</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-8.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-8.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Roaring</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-4.htm">Within</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Wolves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/19-36.htm">Bone</a> <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-15.htm">Crushing</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-7.htm">Evening</a> <a href="/job/30-3.htm">Gnaw</a> <a href="/matthew/10-30.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/matthew/7-1.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-3.htm">Lions</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Midst</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/matthew/6-30.htm">Morrow</a> <a href="/matthew/20-25.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/matthew/2-6.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-3.htm">Roaring</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Within</a> <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Wolves</a><div class="vheading2">Zephaniah 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/3-1.htm">A sharp reproof of Jerusalem for various sins.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/3-8.htm">An exhortation to wait for the restoration of Israel,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/zephaniah/3-14.htm">and to rejoice for their salvation by God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zephaniah/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/zephaniah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/zephaniah/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Her princes are roaring lions;</b><br>The phrase "Her princes are roaring lions" uses the imagery of lions to describe the leaders of Jerusalem. In the ancient Near East, lions were symbols of power and ferocity. This metaphor suggests that the princes, or leaders, are oppressive and predatory, exploiting their power for personal gain. The lion imagery is also used in other parts of Scripture to describe destructive leaders, such as in <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25</a>, where the princes are likened to roaring lions tearing their prey. This reflects a failure in leadership, as they are meant to protect and serve the people, not devour them.<p><b>her judges are evening wolves,</b><br>The comparison of judges to "evening wolves" highlights their greed and rapacity. Wolves hunt at night, and the evening is when they are most active and dangerous. This suggests that the judges are corrupt, seeking to devour and exploit the people under the cover of darkness. In biblical times, judges were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18-20</a>. However, these judges are depicted as doing the opposite, preying on the vulnerable instead of defending them. This imagery is echoed in <a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Habakkuk 1:8</a>, where the Chaldeans are described as wolves, emphasizing their swift and ruthless nature.<p><b>leaving nothing for the morning.</b><br>The phrase "leaving nothing for the morning" indicates the complete and utter consumption by these corrupt leaders. By morning, nothing is left, signifying the total devastation and exploitation of the people. This reflects a society where justice and righteousness have been entirely consumed by greed and corruption. The imagery of leaving nothing behind is reminiscent of the locusts in <a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4</a>, which leave the land barren. This phrase underscores the urgency of the need for reform and the dire consequences of unchecked corruption. It also serves as a warning of impending judgment, as God will not allow such injustice to continue indefinitely.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/princes.htm">Princes</a></b><br>These are the leaders or rulers of Jerusalem, who are described metaphorically as "roaring lions," indicating their oppressive and predatory nature.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judges.htm">Judges</a></b><br>The judicial authorities in Jerusalem, likened to "evening wolves," suggesting their greed and the way they devour the people they are meant to protect.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city being addressed in this passage, representing the center of Judah's political and religious life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/z/zephaniah.htm">Zephaniah</a></b><br>The prophet delivering God's message, calling out the corruption and injustice in Jerusalem.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_jerusalem.htm">The People of Jerusalem</a></b><br>The citizens who suffer under the corrupt leadership and are the intended audience of Zephaniah's warning.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_corrupt_leadership.htm">The Dangers of Corrupt Leadership</a></b><br>Corrupt leaders are likened to predators, emphasizing the destructive impact they have on society. This calls for discernment and accountability in leadership roles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_justice_in_society.htm">The Role of Justice in Society</a></b><br>Judges are meant to uphold justice, but when they fail, society suffers. This highlights the importance of integrity and righteousness in positions of authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_awareness_and_judgment.htm">God's Awareness and Judgment</a></b><br>God is aware of the injustices and will hold leaders accountable. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_righteous_leadership.htm">The Call to Righteous Leadership</a></b><br>Believers are called to be leaders who reflect God's character, promoting justice and mercy rather than exploitation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_for_restoration.htm">Hope for Restoration</a></b><br>Despite the corruption, God's message through Zephaniah includes hope for restoration and renewal, encouraging believers to trust in God's redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_zephaniah_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Zephaniah 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_zephaniah_3_show_harsh_punishment.htm">Why does Zephaniah 3 depict divine punishment that seems inconsistent with a benevolent deity found elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/records_support_zephaniah_3_events.htm">Are there any historical or archaeological records supporting the specific judgments and restorations mentioned in Zephaniah 3?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_zephaniah_3_17_with_wrath.htm">How do we reconcile Zephaniah 3:17's depiction of a rejoicing God with earlier passages describing severe wrath and destruction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_zeph._3_9's_'pure_speech'_fit_today.htm">How does the promised 'pure speech' in Zephaniah 3:9 reconcile with the many languages and dialects still present today?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/zephaniah/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Roaring lions.</span> The princes, who ought to protect the people, are ready to tear them in pieces and devour them (<a href="/proverbs/28-15.htm">Proverbs 28:15</a>). Probably the violence and arrogance of the chiefs had increased during the minority of the king. This must have been written before the great reformation. <span class="cmt_word">Evening wolves</span> (see note on Habakkuk 1:8). The judges, whose duty it was to administer justice and to set an example of equity and virtue, are themselves most cruel and rapacious. <span class="cmt_word">They gnaw not the bones till tomorrow</span>; <span class="accented">they gnaw no bones in the morning</span>; that is, they are so greedy that they eat up all their prey at once and leave nothing till the morning. The versions drop the metaphor, and render, "They leave not to the morning" (comp. <a href="/ezekiel/22-27.htm">Ezekiel 22:27</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Her princes</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרֶ֣יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(śā·re·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are roaring</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹֽׁאֲגִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(šō·’ă·ḡîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7580.htm">Strong's 7580: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rumble, moan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lions;</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲרָי֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rā·yō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_738.htm">Strong's 738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lion</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her judges [are]</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁפְטֶ֙יהָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(šō·p̄ə·ṭe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evening</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֔רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6153.htm">Strong's 6153: </a> </span><span class="str2">Evening</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wolves,</span><br /><span class="heb">זְאֵ֣בֵי</span> <span class="translit">(zə·’ê·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2061.htm">Strong's 2061: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wolf</span><br /><br /><span class="word">leaving</span><br /><span class="heb">גָרְמ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḡā·rə·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1633.htm">Strong's 1633: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bone, denude, the bones</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nothing</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for the morning.</span><br /><span class="heb">לַבֹּֽקֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(lab·bō·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1242.htm">Strong's 1242: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dawn, morning</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/zephaniah/3-3.htm">Zephaniah 3:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/zephaniah/3-3.htm">OT Prophets: Zephaniah 3:3 Her princes in the midst of her (Zeph. Zep Zp) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/zephaniah/3-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Zephaniah 3:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 3:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Zephaniah 3:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Zephaniah 3:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>