Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.

◄ Zephaniah 1:7 ►

New International Version
Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.

New Living Translation
Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign LORD, for the awesome day of the LORD’s judgment is near. The LORD has prepared his people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners.

English Standard Version
Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.

Berean Standard Bible
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; For the day of the LORD is at hand, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests.

New American Standard Bible
Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, Because the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.

NASB 1995
Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.

NASB 1977
Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests.

Legacy Standard Bible
Be silent before Lord Yahweh! For the day of Yahweh is near, For Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice; He has set apart His guests.

Amplified Bible
[Hush!] Be silent before the Lord GOD [there is no acceptable excuse to offer]! For the day [of the vengeance] of the LORD is near, For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice (Judah), He has set apart [for His use] those who have accepted His invitation [the Chaldeans who rule Babylon].

Christian Standard Bible
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated his guests.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.

American Standard Version
Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord Jehovah; for the day of Jehovah is at hand: for Jehovah hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath consecrated his guests.

Contemporary English Version
Be silent! I am the LORD God, and the time is near. I am preparing to sacrifice my people and to invite my guests.

English Revised Version
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 sanctified his guests.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be silent in the presence of the Almighty LORD, because the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice. He has invited his special guests.

Good News Translation
The day is near when the LORD will sit in judgment; so be silent in his presence. The LORD is preparing to sacrifice his people and has invited enemies to plunder Judah.

International Standard Version
Remain silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, because the Day of the LORD approaches, and because the LORD has prepared a sacrifice for those whom he has invited to be consecrated.

Majority Standard Bible
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.

NET Bible
Be silent before the Lord GOD, for the LORD's day of judgment is almost here. The LORD has prepared a sacrificial meal; he has ritually purified his guests.

New Heart English Bible
Be silent at the presence of the Lord GOD, for the day of the LORD is at hand. For the LORD has prepared a sacrifice. He has consecrated his guests.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 invited his guests.

World English Bible
Be silent at the presence of the Lord Yahweh, for the day of Yahweh is at hand. For Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice. He has consecrated his guests.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Hush! Because of Lord YHWH, "" For near [is the] Day of YHWH, "" For YHWH has prepared a sacrifice, "" He has sanctified His invited ones.

Young's Literal Translation
Hush! because of the Lord Jehovah, For near is a day of Jehovah, For prepared hath Jehovah a sacrifice, He hath sanctified His invited ones.

Smith's Literal Translation
Be silent from the face of the Lord Jehovah: for the day of Jehovah is near, for Jehovah prepared a swam he consecrated his called ones.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Be silent before the face of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is near, for the Lord hath prepared a victim, he hath sanctified his guests.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Be silent before the face of the Lord God. For the day of the Lord is near; for the Lord has prepared a victim, he has sanctified those he has called.

New American Bible
Silence in the presence of the Lord GOD! for near is the day of the LORD, Yes, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests.

New Revised Standard Version
Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is at hand; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Stand in awe at the presence of the LORD God; for the day of the LORD is at hand; yea, the LORD has prepared sacrifices, he has invited his guests.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Stand in awe from before THE LORD OF LORDS, because that day of LORD JEHOVAH is near and LORD JEHOVAH has prepared sacrifices and he has invited his guests

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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 consecrated His guests.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Fear ye before the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is near; for the Lord has prepared his sacrifice, and has sanctified his guests.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Day of the LORD
7Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests. 8“On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish the princes, the sons of the king, and all who are dressed in foreign apparel.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 13:6
Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

Joel 2:1
Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near—

Habakkuk 2:20
But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

Revelation 8:1
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Amos 5:18-20
Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light. / It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. / Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?

Isaiah 2:12
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—

Joel 1:15
Alas for the day! For the Day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

Revelation 6:17
For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Isaiah 34:6
The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Ezekiel 30:3
For the day is near, the Day of the LORD is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations.

Matthew 24:30-31
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

1 Thessalonians 5:2
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Isaiah 13:9
Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it.

Jeremiah 46:10
For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.

Treasury of Scripture

Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, he has bid his guests.

thy.

1 Samuel 2:9,10
He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail…

Job 40:4,5
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth…

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

for the day.

Zephaniah 1:14
The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

Isaiah 2:12
For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isaiah 13:6
Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

for the Lord.

Isaiah 34:6
The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

Jeremiah 46:10
For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Ezekiel 39:17-20
And, thou son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; Speak unto every feathered fowl, and to every beast of the field, Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, even a great sacrifice upon the mountains of Israel, that ye may eat flesh, and drink blood…

he hath.

Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: …

Matthew 22:4
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

Luke 14:16,17
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: …

bid.

1 Samuel 16:5
And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

1 Samuel 20:26
Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.

Colossians 1:12
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

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Zephaniah 1

1. The time when Zephaniah prophesied.
2. God's severe judgments against Judah.

Berean Study Bible

Be silent
The phrase "Be silent" is a call to reverence and awe before the presence of God. In Hebrew, the word used here is "hās," which conveys a sense of stillness and quietness. This command to silence is not merely about the absence of noise but an invitation to a posture of humility and attentiveness. In the presence of the Almighty, human words and actions must cease, acknowledging His sovereignty and holiness. This echoes the biblical theme found in Habakkuk 2:20, "But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him." It is a reminder that in the face of divine judgment and revelation, our response should be one of solemn respect and submission.

in the presence of the Lord GOD
This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and reality of God's presence. The Hebrew term for "Lord GOD" here is "Adonai Yahweh," which underscores both His lordship and His covenantal relationship with His people. The presence of God is not a distant or abstract concept but a tangible reality that demands a response. Throughout Scripture, the presence of God is associated with both blessing and judgment. For instance, in Exodus 33:14, God promises His presence as a source of rest and guidance. Here, however, it is a prelude to judgment, reminding us that God's presence is both comforting and convicting.

for the Day of the LORD is near
The "Day of the LORD" is a significant eschatological theme in the Bible, referring to a time when God will intervene decisively in human history to judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous. The Hebrew word for "day" is "yom," which can denote a specific time or period. The phrase "is near" indicates the imminence of this divine intervention. Historically, the Day of the LORD was understood as a time of both terror and hope, as seen in the prophetic writings of Amos, Joel, and Isaiah. It serves as a warning to the complacent and a call to repentance, urging believers to live in readiness for God's righteous judgment.

for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice
This imagery of a "sacrifice" is both sobering and profound. In the Hebrew context, sacrifices were central to worship and atonement, symbolizing the restoration of relationship between God and humanity. However, here the sacrifice is not a voluntary offering but a divine act of judgment. The Hebrew word "zebach" is used, which typically refers to a sacrificial feast. This suggests that God Himself has orchestrated this event, underscoring His sovereignty and justice. The sacrificial language also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who bore the judgment of sin on behalf of humanity.

He has consecrated His guests
The term "consecrated" in Hebrew is "qadash," meaning to set apart or make holy. The "guests" in this context are those who will partake in the divine judgment. This phrase can be understood as an ironic twist, where those who are invited to the sacrificial feast are not honored guests but rather participants in the impending judgment. It highlights the seriousness of God's holiness and the inevitability of His justice. In a broader theological sense, it serves as a reminder that all are accountable to God and that His purposes will ultimately prevail. This calls believers to examine their lives and align themselves with God's will, living in holiness and obedience.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 7-13. - 4. The judgment is described with regard to those whom it will affect, vie. the princes, the traders, the irreligious and profligate. Verse 7. - This judgment, so fearful, is near at hand, and must needs occasion the utmost terror and dismay. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God; literally, Hush, from the face of the Lord Jehovah! εὐλαβεῖσθε (Septuagint); silete a facie Domini Dei (Vulgate). The expression is like Habakkuk 2:20. The reason of this silent awe is next given. For the day of the Lord is at hand. The day of judgment is thus called (Joel 1:15; Isaiah 13:6; Amos 5:18, 20; Obadiah 1:15). The Lord hath prepared a sacrifice. The words are from Isaiah 34:6 (comp. Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 39:17, 19). The sacrifice is the guilty Jewish nation. The punishment of the wicked is regarded as a satisfaction offered to the Divine justice. He hath bid his guests; he hath consecrated his called. The "called ones" are the strange nations whom God summons to execute his vengeance. Septuagint, ἡγίακε τοὺς κλητοὺς αὐτοῦ. These are said to be "sanctified," as if engaged in a holy war, when summoned to punish those who had become as heathen. So those who are called to chastise Babylon are termed "my sanctified ones" (Isaiah 13:3), as being the instruments appointed and set apart to carry out this purpose (comp. Jeremiah 22:7; Jeremiah 51:27, 28; Micah 3:5). The particular agents intended are not specified by the prophet, whose mission was not directed to any such definition. He has to speak generally of the judgment to come, not of those whom God should employ to inflict it. We know from other sources that the Chaldeans are meant, they or the Assyrians being always announced as the executors of God's vengeance on his rebellions people. The notion, adopted by Ewald, Hitzig, and others, that the prophet refers to some supposed invasion of Scythians which took place about this time, would never have been started had not such authors desired to eliminate the predictive element from prophetic utterances. The vague account of Herod., 1:105 gives no support to the assertion that the Scythians invaded Palestine in Josiah's reign; nor is there a trace of any knowledge of such irruption in Zephaniah or Jeremiah (see Introduction, § I.).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Be silent
הַ֕ס (has)
Interjection
Strong's 2013: Hush! keep silence!

in the presence
מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD,
יְהוִ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

for
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the Day
י֣וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is near.
קָרוֹב֙ (qā·rō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7138: Near

Indeed,
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

has prepared
הֵכִ֧ין (hê·ḵîn)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

a sacrifice;
זֶ֖בַח (ze·ḇaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

He has consecrated
הִקְדִּ֥ישׁ (hiq·dîš)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

His guests.
קְרֻאָֽיו׃ (qə·ru·’āw)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

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OT Prophets: Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent at the presence (Zeph. Zep Zp)