Jerusalem is called the oppressing city not because of her conquering other nations and disregarding their rights as the Assyrians did, but because of her disregarding the rights and welfare of those living in her own midst, particularly the weakest members of society. This connotation appears elsewhere. Jeremiah includes oppression in his list of what he expected to be banned in the life of the nation. Do no wrong [do not oppress] or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place (Jeremiah 22:3; see also Ezekiel 22:7, Ezekiel 22:29). The Mosaic law protects the resident alien, from oppression (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:33; Deuteronomy 23:16). Jeremiah, most likely writing shortly after Zephaniah, used the same term as Zephaniah to describe the Jerusalem of his day (Jeremiah 46:16; Jeremiah 50:16). In Zephaniah’s case it becomes clear from the following verses that he too is castigating violent officials, unjust judges, and deceitful prophets.¹ These had no scruples about furthering their own causes by disregarding the welfare of the unfortunate and disadvantaged in their own community.²