Zephaniah 1:6
And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for him.
Study Note
Study Note
'And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for him' — the final category in Zephaniah's opening judgment catalog names not apostasy or active idolatry but religious indifference: those who have drifted back from the Lord and those who have never seriously sought him. The synonymous verbs 'sought' (biqesh) and 'enquired' (darash) are the standard terms for intentional, covenantal God-seeking in Psalms and Deuteronomy, making their absence the defining mark of spiritual complacency. The verse functions as a prophetic warning against the comfortable middle ground of neither active sin nor active faith — a position Jesus addresses directly in the lukewarm-church letter to Laodicea (Revelation 3:15–16).
Other Translations
and them that are turned back from following Jehovah; and those that have not sought Jehovah, nor inquired after him.
And those removing from after Jehovah, And who have not sought Jehovah, nor besought Him.
And those who are turned back from going after the Lord, and those who have not made prayer to the Lord or got directions from him.
Cross References
It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, …
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, …
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of …
Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the …
For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.
But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out …