In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

ZEPHANIAH 3:11KJV
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Zephaniah 3:11 (KJV)

What does Zephaniah 3:11 mean?

Zephaniah 3:11 says that there will come a time when the people will no longer feel shame for their past wrongdoings against God, because God will remove those who are proud and arrogant from among them, and the people will no longer act pridefully because of God’s holy mountain. This verse promises a future cleansing of pride and a restoration of humble relationship with God.

The prophet Zephaniah is speaking God’s words to the people of Jerusalem, warning them about judgment but also describing a future hope. In this verse, God explains that He will take away those who are proud (often leaders or influential people who led others astray) so that the community will no longer be marked by arrogance, especially in connection to the temple (“my holy mountain”). The focus is on God’s action to purify His people and remove the root causes of their shame.

The Hebrew behind Zephaniah 3:11

  • “ashamed” (בּוּשׁ, bosh): This word means to feel disgrace or embarrassment. Here, it shows that the people’s sense of shame for past sins will be taken away, not because the sins never happened, but because God is changing their situation.
  • “pride” (גָּאוֹן, ga’on): This word means arrogance or self-exaltation. God promises to remove those who “rejoice in pride,” highlighting that the problem is not just actions, but a proud attitude that separates people from God.
  • “haughty” (גָּבַהּ, gavah): This word means to be lifted up or exalted in one’s own eyes. God says the people will no longer be haughty because of His “holy mountain,” meaning they will not misuse their religious position or privileges to look down on others.

Why Zephaniah 3:11 matters

  • Zephaniah 3:11 clarifies that God’s restoration involves both forgiveness and the removal of prideful influences, not just overlooking past sins.
  • The verse highlights that the problem was not only what people did, but the prideful attitude connected to their religious identity and the temple.
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Zephaniah, which moves from warning and judgment to hope and renewal, showing that God’s goal is a humble, purified community.

Where else these words appear

“rejoice” Hebrew H5947 · used in 7 verses

  • Isaiah 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
  • Isaiah 23:7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.
  • Isaiah 32:13 Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:

“pride” Hebrew H1346 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
  • Psalms 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
  • Isaiah 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,

“doings” Hebrew H5949 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 22:14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
  • Psalms 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
  • Ezekiel 14:23 And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.

“haughty” Hebrew H1361 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
  • Psalms 113:5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
  • Ezekiel 16:50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.