1. Zephaniah 3:9–13 (ESV)
  2. Structure and outline

Structure of Zephaniah 3:9–13

Zephaniah 3:9–13 (ESV)

9 “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD and serve him with one accord.

There are two main units in Zephaniah 3:9–13, which together depict the formation of a remnant of holy people: Zephaniah 3:9–10 refer to the converted from the nations while Zephaniah 3:11–13 refer to the purged and forgiven group from Israel.1 The two units are separated by the temporal phrase on that day (Zephaniah 3:11). The section contains three first-person singular verbs of divine action, which carry the central message: I will change (Zephaniah 3:9), I will remove (Zephaniah 3:11), and I will leave in your midst (Zephaniah 3:11).2