1. Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Who are "the humble of the land"?

Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV)

3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

The word used for humble carries the basic meaning of afflicted (see further Psalm 9:12, Psalm 9:18; Psalm 34:2). Those characterized as humble are ones who recognize their lowly position before God (Numbers 12:3) and their dependence on him for help (Psalm 76:9; Psalm 147:6; Psalm 149:4).1 With this term Zephaniah is referring to the minority in Judah who remained faithful to the Lord, who did his just commands. They rejected syncretistic worship (Zephaniah 1:4–6). As Patterson concludes, Inward affliction of soul and outward circumstances of affliction play a vital part in developing true humility.2