Zephaniah 1:5

Translations

Modern

…those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,

Traditional

And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham;

Literal

…and those bowing down on the housetops to the host of the heavens, and those bowing down swearing to YHWH, and swearing to Milcom,

Latin

…et eos qui adorant super tecta militiam cæli, et adorant et jurant in Domino, et jurant in Melchom;

Original

Hebrew

English

…those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,

Notes

Zephaniah 1:5

Scripture condemned the worship of heavenly bodies like the sun, moon, and stars (see Deuteronomy 4:15–19; 2 Kings 21:3; 23:12).
Milcom was the national god of the Ammonites. In some Old Testament passages, Milcom is closely connected with Molech, a pagan deity linked with child sacrifice. Because of this connection, some texts use these names in overlapping ways.
The law clearly forbade the worship of Molech and related practices (Leviticus 20:1–5). Even so, these forms of worship continued to tempt Israel, especially through contact with neighboring nations (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6).

Zephaniah 1:4–6

After judging the entire earth (Zephaniah 1:2–3), Zephaniah now focuses on his own people, Judah and Jerusalem.

Zephaniah 1:1–2:3

Zephaniah's message from the Lord warns about worldwide judgment (Zephaniah 1:1–6). He urges his readers to repent (Zephaniah 1:7–13) before disaster strikes (1:14–18). He encourages them to seek the Lord and live righteously and humbly, hoping they may avoid his judgment (Zephaniah 2:1–3).

Theme notes and profiles

The Day of the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Zephaniahc. 610 BC

Related verses

2 Kings 17:33
They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away.
Jeremiah 19:13
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like that place, Topheth—all the houses on whose rooftops they burned incense to all the host of heaven and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”
1 Kings 11:33
For they have forsaken Me to worship Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in My ways, nor done what is right in My eyes, nor kept My statutes and judgments, as Solomon’s father David did.
1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
2 Kings 17:41
So these nations worshiped the LORD but also served their idols, and to this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did.
2 Kings 23:12
He pulled down the altars that the kings of Judah had set up on the roof near the upper chamber of Ahaz, and the altars that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the house of the LORD. The king pulverized them there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.
Jeremiah 5:7
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes.
Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
1 Kings 11:5
Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
Hosea 4:15
Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
Joshua 23:7
So you are not to associate with these nations that remain among you. You must not call on the names of their gods or swear by them, and you must not serve them or bow down to them.
Deuteronomy 10:20
You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.

Parallels

Matthew 13:36–43

People

Molech: Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice

Glossary

Book of Zephaniah Host, Host of Heaven Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Malcham

Topics

Apostasy: Guilt and Punishment of Apostates: Guilt and Punishment of House: Architecture of Altars On Houses: The Flat Roofs of had often Idolatrous Altars on Them Idolatry: Objects of Sun, Moon, and Stars Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: On the Tops of Houses Malcham: An Idol Seeking God: Punishment of Those Who Neglect Stars: Worshiped

Zephaniah 1:5

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Related verses

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Glossary

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