Zephaniah 3:4
Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
Her *prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests haue polluted the Sanctuarie, they haue done *violence to the Law.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceIer.23.11. hose.9.7.
- *Cross-referenceEzek.22.26.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 4
- Ezekiel 22:26Rank 1 from verse 4
26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
26†Her priests haue violated my law, and haue prophaned mine holy things: they haue put no difference betweene the holy and prophane, neither haue they shewed difference between the vncleane and the cleane, and haue hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am prophaned among them.
7The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
7†The dayes of visitation are come, the dayes of recompence are come, Israel shall know it; the Prophet is a foole, the spirituall man is madde, for the multitude of thine iniquitie and the great hatred.
- Lamentations 2:14Rank 3 from verse 4
14Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
14*Thy Prophets haue seene vaine and foolish things for thee, and they haue not discouered thine iniquitie, to turne away thy captiuitie: but haue seene for thee false burdens, and causes of banishment.
- Malachi 2:8Rank 4 from verse 4
- Isaiah 56:10–12Rank 5 from verse 4
10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
12Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
10‖His watchmen are blinde: they are all ignorant, they are all dumbe dogs, they cannot barke; sleeping, lying downe, louing to slumber.
11††Yea they are greedy dogges which can neuer haue ynough, and they are shepheards that cannot vnderstand: they all looke to their owne way, euery one for his gaine, from his quarter.
12Come ye, say they, I wil fetch wine, and we will fill our selues with strong drinke, and to morrow shal be as this day, and much more abundant.
- Isaiah 9:15Rank 6 from verse 4
- Jeremiah 23:25–27Rank 7 from verse 4
25I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
26How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
27Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
25I haue heard what the prophets said, that prophecie lyes in my Name, saying; I haue dreamed, I haue dreamed.
26How long shall this bee in the heart of the prophets that prophecie lies? yea they are prophets of the deceit of their owne heart;
27*Which thinke to cause my people to forget my Name by their dreames which they tell euery man to his neighbour, as their fathers haue forgotten my Name, for Baal.
- Jeremiah 5:31Rank 8 from verse 4
31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
31*‖The prophets prophecie falsely, and the priests beare rule by their meanes, and my people loue to haue it so: and what will yee doe in the end therof?
- Micah 3:5–6Rank 9 from verse 4
5¶ Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
6Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
5¶ *Thus saith the LORD concerning the Prophets that make my people erre, that bite with their teeth and crie; Peace: and he that putteth not into their mouths, they euen prepare warre against him:
6††Therefore night shall be vnto you, that yee shall not haue a vision, and it shall be darke vnto you, that yee shall not diuine, and the Sunne shall goe downe ouer the Prophets, and the day shall be darke ouer them.
- 1 John 4:1Rank 10 from verse 4
- 1 Samuel 2:12–17Rank 11 from verse 4
12¶ Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
13And the priests’ custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
14And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
15Also before they burnt the fat, the priest’s servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
16And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.
12¶ Now the sonnes of Eli were sonnes of Belial, they knewe not the LORD.
13And the priests custome with the people was, that when any man offred sacrifice, the priestes seruant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhooke of three teeth in his hand,
14And he strooke it into the panne, or kettle, or caldron, or pot: all that the flesh-hooke brought vp, the priest tooke for himselfe: so they did in Shiloh vnto all the Israelites that came thither.
15Also before they burnt the fat, the priests seruant came, & said to the man that sacrificed, Giue flesh to roste for the priest, for he wil not haue sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
16And if any man said vnto him, Let them not faile to burne the fat †presently, and then take as much as thy soule desireth: then hee would answere him, Nay, but thou shalt giue it mee now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17Wherefore the sinne of the yong men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 2:22Rank 12 from verse 4
22¶ Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
22¶ Now Eli was very olde, and heard all that his sonnes did vnto all Israel, and how they lay with the women that †assembled at the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation
- 2 Corinthians 11:13Rank 13 from verse 4
- 2 Peter 2:1–3Rank 14 from verse 4
1BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
1¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, euen as there shall bee false teachers among you, who priuily shall bring in damnable heresies, euen denying the Lord that bought them, and bring vpon themselues swift destruction.
2And many shall follow their ‖pernicious wayes, by reason of whom the way of trueth shall be euill spoken of:
3And through couetousnesse shall they with fained words, make marchandise of you, whose iudgement now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbreth not.
- Ezekiel 13:3–16Rank 15 from verse 4
3Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
5Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.
6They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word.
7Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
8Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord God.
9And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.
10¶ Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter:
11Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
12Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it?
13Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
14So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
15Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered morter, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;
16To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord God.
3†‖Thus saith the LORD God; Woe vnto the foolish prophets, that follow their owne spirit, and haue seene nothing.
4O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts.
5‖†Yee haue not gone vp into the gaps, neither made vp the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the battell in the day of the LORD.
6They haue seene vanity, and lying diuination, saying; The LORD saith, and the LORD hath not sent them: and they haue made others to hope, that they would confirme the word.
7Haue ye not seene a vaine vision, and haue ye not spoken a lying diuination, whereas yee say, The LORD sayth it, albeit I haue not spoken?
8Therefore thus saith the LORD God; Because ye haue spoken vanity and seene lyes, therefore behold, I am against you, saith the LORD God.
9‖And mine hand shall be vpon the Prophets that see vanitie, and that diuine lyes: they shall not bee in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel, and ye shall know that I am the LORD God.
10¶ *‖Because, euen because they haue seduced my people, saying; Peace, and there was no peace: and one built vp a wall, and loe, others dawbed it with vntempered morter,
11Say vnto them which dawbe it with vntempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall bee an ouerflowing showre, and yee, O great haile stones, shal fall, and a stormie wind shal rent it.
12Loe, when the wall is fallen, shall it not bee sayde vnto you; Where is the dawbing wherwith ye haue dawbed it?
13Therefore thus sayth the LORD God; I will euen rent it with a stormie wind in my fury: and there shall be an ouerflowing showre in mine anger, and great hailestones in my fury, to consume it.
14So wil I breake downe the wall that ye haue dawbed with vntempered morter, & bring it downe to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discouered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the middest thereof: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
15Thus will I accomplish my wrath vpon the wall, and vpon them that haue dawbed it with vntempered morter, and will say vnto you; The wall is no more, neither they that dawbed it:
16 To wit, the Prophets of Israel which prophecie concerning Ierusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, sayth the LORD God.
- Ezekiel 44:7–8Rank 16 from verse 4
7In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.
8And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
7†In that ye haue brought into my Sanctuarie strangers vncircumcised in heart, and vncircumcised in flesh, to be in my Sanctuarie to pollute it, euen my House, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they haue broken my Couenant, because of all your abominations.
8‖And yee haue not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye haue set keepers of my charge in my Sanctuarie for your selues.
- Hosea 4:6–8Rank 17 from verse 4
6¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
7As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
8They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
6¶ †My people are destroyed for lacke of knowledge: because thou hast reiected knowledge, I will also reiect thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the lawe of thy God, I wil also forget thy children.
7As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therfore wil I change their glory into shame.
8†They eate vp the sinne of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquitie.
- Jeremiah 14:13–15Rank 18 from verse 4
13¶ Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
14Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
15Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
13¶ †Then said I Ah LORD God, behold, the prophets say vnto them; Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye haue famine, but I will giue you assured peace in this place.
14*Then the LORD said vnto me, The prophets prophecie lies in my Name, I sent them not, neither haue I commanded them, neither spake vnto them: they prophecie vnto you a false vision and diuination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
15Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophecie in my Name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land, By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
- Jeremiah 23:32Rank 19 from verse 4
32Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.
32Behold, I am against them that prophecie false dreames, sayeth the LORD, and doe tell them, and cause my people to erre by their lyes and by their lightnesse, yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profite this people at all, sayth the LORD.
- Jeremiah 23:9–17Rank 20 from verse 4
9¶ Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness.
10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.
11For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.
12Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.
13And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
14I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
15Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
16Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
17They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
9¶ Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets, all my bones shake: I am like a drunken man (and like a man whom wine hath ouercome) because of the LORD, and because of the words of his Holinesse.
10‖‖For the land is full of adulterers, for because of swearing the land mourneth: the pleasant places of the wildernes are dried vp, and their course is euil, and their force is not right.
11For both prophet and priest are prophane, yea in my house haue I found their wickednesse, saith the LORD.
12Wherefore their way shalbe vnto them as slippery wayes in the darkenes: they shalbe driuen on and fall therein: for I will bring euill vpon them, euen the yeere of their visitation, saith the LORD.
13‖And I haue seene folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophecied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to erre.
14‖*I haue seene also in the prophets of Ierusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walke in lies: they strengthen also the hands of euill doers, that none doeth returne from his wickednesse: they are all of them vnto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
15*‖Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the Prophets; Behold, I will feede them with wormewood, and make them drinke the water of gall: for from the Prophets of Ierusalem is profanenesse gone forth into all the land.
16Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not vnto the wordes of the prophets that prophecie vnto you; they make you vaine: they speake a vision of their owne heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
17*‖They say still vnto them that despise me; The LORD hath sayde, Yee shall haue peace; and they say vnto euery one that walketh after the imagination of his owne heart, No euill shall come vpon you.
- Jeremiah 27:14–15Rank 21 from verse 4
14Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
15For I have not sent them, saith the Lord, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.
14*Therefore hearken not vnto the words of the prophets, that speake vnto you, saying; Yee shall not serue the king of Babylon: for they prophecie a lie vnto you.
15†For I haue not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophecie a lye in my name, that I might driue you out, & that yee might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophecie vnto you.
- Jeremiah 6:13–14Rank 22 from verse 4
13For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
14They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
13*For from the least of them euen vnto the greatest of them, euery one is giuen to couetousnesse, and from the prophet euen vnto the priest, euery one dealeth falsly.
14*†They haue healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people sleightly, saying, Peace, peace, when there is no peace.
- Jeremiah 8:10Rank 23 from verse 4
10Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
10*Therfore will I giue their wiues vnto others, & their fields to them that shall inherite them: for euery one from the least euen vnto the greatest is giuen to couetousnes, from the Prophet euen vnto the priest, euery one dealeth falsly.
- Matthew 7:15Rank 24 from verse 4
- Micah 2:11Rank 25 from verse 4
11If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
11‖If a man walking in the spirit and falshood, doe lie, saying, I will prophecie vnto thee of wine and of strong drinke, he shall euen bee the prophet of this people.
- Revelation 19:20Rank 26 from verse 4
20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
20And the beast was taken, & with him the false prophet, that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceiued them that had receiued the marke of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast aliue into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Zephaniah 3:4
Persons who prophesy or are called prophets.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
treacherous
Faithless and perfidious; violating pledged faith, allegiance, or trust.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Persons set apart to religious service, sanctuary duty, sacrifice, intercession, teaching, or representation before a deity.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of pollute, meaning to defile, make unclean, or profane.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
A holy or set-apart place of dwelling, worship, or refuge.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
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Surrounding Verses
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3Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
3Her princes within her are roaring *lyons; her Iudges are euening wolues, they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.
4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
4Her *prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests haue polluted the Sanctuarie, they haue done *violence to the Law.
Selected passage5The just Lord is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
5The iust LORD is in the middest thereof: he will not doe iniquitie: †euery morning doeth hee bring his iudgement to light, he faileth not: but the vniust knoweth no shame.