OET interlinear ZEP 2:3

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

בַּקְּשׁ֤וּ אֶת־יְהוָה֙

seek DOM YHWH

Zephaniah is speaking as if he literally wanted the Judeans to Seek or look for Yahweh. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. See how you translated the similar expression in 1:6. Alternate translation: “Pray to Yahweh for mercy”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

כָּל־עַנְוֵ֣י הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ

all/each/any/every humble_of the=earth/land

Zephaniah is using the adjective humble as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. While Zephaniah is speaking of these people in the third person, he is addressing them directly. Alternate translation: “all you humble people of the earth”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

כָּל־עַנְוֵ֣י הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ

all/each/any/every humble_of the=earth/land

Here the term earth could mean: (1) the land of Judah, since Zephaniah is addressing a specific “nation,” the nation of Judah, in verses 1–3. Alternate translation: “all you humble people of the land” or “all you Judeans who are willing to humble yourselves” (2) the entire world, since that is what the term means in 1:18. Alternate translation: “all you humble people in the world”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִשְׁפָּט֖⁠וֹ פָּעָ֑לוּ

which/who commands_of,his do

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of justice, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “who do what he has said is just”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

בַּקְּשׁוּ־צֶ֨דֶק֙ בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ עֲנָוָ֔ה

seek righteousness seek humility

Zephaniah is speaking as if he literally wanted the Judeans to Seek or look for righteousness and humility. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. The meaning of this image is slightly different from its meaning in 1:6 and in the first part of the verse. Alternate translation: “Practice righteousness. Cultivate humility”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בַּקְּשׁוּ־צֶ֨דֶק֙ בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ עֲנָוָ֔ה

seek righteousness seek humility

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of righteousness and humility, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “Do what is right. Be humble”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

תִּסָּ֣תְר֔וּ

hidden

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you will be able to hide”

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תִּסָּ֣תְר֔וּ

hidden

Zephaniah is speaking as if the Judeans could literally be hidden somewhere where Yahweh could not find them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you will be spared”

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

בְּ⁠י֖וֹם אַף־יְהוָֽה

in/on=day also/though YHWH

See how you translated the similar expression at the end of the previous verse. Alternate translation: “at the time when Yahweh angrily punishes people”