Her princes are roaring lions;The phrase "Her princes are roaring lions" uses the imagery of lions to describe the leaders of Jerusalem. In the ancient Near East, lions were symbols of power and ferocity. This metaphor suggests that the princes, or leaders, are oppressive and predatory, exploiting their power for personal gain. The lion imagery is also used in other parts of Scripture to describe destructive leaders, such as in
Ezekiel 22:25, where the princes are likened to roaring lions tearing their prey. This reflects a failure in leadership, as they are meant to protect and serve the people, not devour them.
her judges are evening wolves,
The comparison of judges to "evening wolves" highlights their greed and rapacity. Wolves hunt at night, and the evening is when they are most active and dangerous. This suggests that the judges are corrupt, seeking to devour and exploit the people under the cover of darkness. In biblical times, judges were expected to uphold justice and righteousness, as seen inDeuteronomy 16:18-20. However, these judges are depicted as doing the opposite, preying on the vulnerable instead of defending them. This imagery is echoed inHabakkuk 1:8, where the Chaldeans are described as wolves, emphasizing their swift and ruthless nature.
leaving nothing for the morning.
The phrase "leaving nothing for the morning" indicates the complete and utter consumption by these corrupt leaders. By morning, nothing is left, signifying the total devastation and exploitation of the people. This reflects a society where justice and righteousness have been entirely consumed by greed and corruption. The imagery of leaving nothing behind is reminiscent of the locusts inJoel 1:4, which leave the land barren. This phrase underscores the urgency of the need for reform and the dire consequences of unchecked corruption. It also serves as a warning of impending judgment, as God will not allow such injustice to continue indefinitely.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PrincesThese are the leaders or rulers of Jerusalem, who are described metaphorically as "roaring lions," indicating their oppressive and predatory nature.
2.
JudgesThe judicial authorities in Jerusalem, likened to "evening wolves," suggesting their greed and the way they devour the people they are meant to protect.
3.
JerusalemThe city being addressed in this passage, representing the center of Judah's political and religious life.
4.
ZephaniahThe prophet delivering God's message, calling out the corruption and injustice in Jerusalem.
5.
The People of JerusalemThe citizens who suffer under the corrupt leadership and are the intended audience of Zephaniah's warning.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Corrupt LeadershipCorrupt leaders are likened to predators, emphasizing the destructive impact they have on society. This calls for discernment and accountability in leadership roles.
The Role of Justice in SocietyJudges are meant to uphold justice, but when they fail, society suffers. This highlights the importance of integrity and righteousness in positions of authority.
God's Awareness and JudgmentGod is aware of the injustices and will hold leaders accountable. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice.
The Call to Righteous LeadershipBelievers are called to be leaders who reflect God's character, promoting justice and mercy rather than exploitation.
Hope for RestorationDespite the corruption, God's message through Zephaniah includes hope for restoration and renewal, encouraging believers to trust in God's redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Zephaniah 3:3?
2.How does Zephaniah 3:3 describe the leaders' behavior, and why is it significant?
3.What parallels exist between Zephaniah 3:3 and today's leadership challenges?
4.How can Christians ensure they are not like the "roaring lions" in leadership?
5.What scriptural principles counteract the behaviors described in Zephaniah 3:3?
6.How can we pray for leaders in light of Zephaniah 3:3's warnings?
7.How does Zephaniah 3:3 reflect the corruption of leaders in ancient Judah?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Zephaniah 3:3?
9.How does Zephaniah 3:3 challenge our understanding of justice and leadership?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Zephaniah 3?
11.Why does Zephaniah 3 depict divine punishment that seems inconsistent with a benevolent deity found elsewhere in the Bible?
12.Are there any historical or archaeological records supporting the specific judgments and restorations mentioned in Zephaniah 3?
13.How do we reconcile Zephaniah 3:17's depiction of a rejoicing God with earlier passages describing severe wrath and destruction?
14.How does the promised 'pure speech' in Zephaniah 3:9 reconcile with the many languages and dialects still present today?What Does Zephaniah 3:3 Mean
Her princes are roaring lions– Zephaniah points to the ruling class in Jerusalem, accusing them of devouring the very people they were meant to protect.
• Roaring lions hunt with strength and intimidation; likewise the princes ruled by fear (Proverbs 28:15).
• Instead of defending the weak, they seized property and oppressed the vulnerable, echoingEzekiel 22:6-7 andJeremiah 5:26-28.
• The roar suggests public, brazen sin—leadership that no longer bothers to hide corruption (Micah 3:9-11).
her judges are evening wolves– Judges, charged with upholding God-given justice, had become predators.
• Wolves hunt at dusk when prey is most defenseless; corrupt judges exploited cases under cover of “legal” darkness (Ezekiel 22:27).
• Evening wolves are noted for relentless appetite (Habakkuk 1:8); so these officials never tired of bribes and dishonest gain (Isaiah 1:23).
• By twisting the law they mirrored the wolf imagery Paul later applies to false teachers inActs 20:29.
leaving nothing for the morning– After a night of predation, neither lion nor wolf leaves scraps; so the leaders’ greed stripped the land bare.
• Victims awakened to empty barns, empty purses, and empty hope (Micah 3:1-3).
• The phrase underscores total, not partial, devastation—like fields gleaned so thoroughly that no sheaf remains (Isaiah 17:5-6).
• God had taught Israel to leave leftovers for the needy (Leviticus 19:9-10), yet these leaders left “nothing,” revealing hearts opposite His own.
summaryZephaniah 3:3 paints a threefold portrait of civic and judicial leadership gone feral: princes roaring like lions, judges ravaging like evening wolves, and a populace picked clean by dawn. The imagery exposes open, habitual oppression, calls God’s people to recognize corrupted authority for what it is, and anticipates the Lord’s righteous intervention that Zephaniah will soon describe.
Verse 3. -
Roaring lions. The princes, who ought to protect the people, are ready to tear them in pieces and devour them (
Proverbs 28:15). Probably the violence and arrogance of the chiefs had increased during the minority of the king. This must have been written before the great reformation.
Evening wolves (see note on Habakkuk 1:8). The judges, whose duty it was to administer justice and to set an example of equity and virtue, are themselves most cruel and rapacious.
They gnaw not the bones till tomorrow;
they gnaw no bones in the morning; that is, they are so greedy that they eat up all their prey at once and leave nothing till the morning. The versions drop the metaphor, and render, "They leave not to the morning" (comp.
Ezekiel 22:27).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Her princesשָׂרֶ֣יהָ(śā·re·hā)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8269:Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princeare roaringשֹֽׁאֲגִ֑ים(šō·’ă·ḡîm)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7580:To rumble, moanlions;אֲרָי֖וֹת(’ă·rā·yō·wṯ)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 738:A lionher judges [are]שֹׁפְטֶ֙יהָ֙(šō·p̄ə·ṭe·hā)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8199:To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigateeveningעֶ֔רֶב(‘e·reḇ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153:Eveningwolves,זְאֵ֣בֵי(zə·’ê·ḇê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2061:A wolfleavingגָרְמ֖וּ(ḡā·rə·mū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1633:To bone, denude, the bonesnothingלֹ֥א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nofor the morning.לַבֹּֽקֶר׃(lab·bō·qer)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242:Dawn, morning
Links
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OT Prophets: Zephaniah 3:3 Her princes in the midst of her (Zeph. Zep Zp) 
