OET interlinear ZEP 3:4

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

פֹּֽחֲזִ֔ים

reckless

Zephaniah is speaking as if the prophets in Jerusalem were literally light, that is, as if they did not weigh very much. He could mean: (1) that they are frivolous in character and so what they say is not profound or significant. Alternate translation: “are frivolous” (2) that nothing restrains them from doing wrong things, as if they were a light object with nothing weighing it down that would float away or be blown away. Alternate translation: “are unprincipled” or “are reckless”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / distinguish

אַנְשֵׁ֖י בֹּֽגְד֑וֹת

men_of treacherous

The phrase men of treacheries gives further information about the prophets whom Zephaniah is describing. It does not refer to a different group of people. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. It may be helpful to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “They are men of treacheries”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

אַנְשֵׁ֖י בֹּֽגְד֑וֹת

men_of treacherous

Zephaniah is using this possessive form not to describe men who belong to treacheries but to describe men who habitually commit treacheries. This could mean: (1) that these prophets deceive and betray other people in order to take advantage of them. Alternate translation: “They treat others treacherously” (2) that they are not faithful to Yahweh, that is, they do not speak only messages that Yahweh has given them. Rather, they speak messages that they claim are from Yahweh but which Yahweh has not given them. Alternate translation: “They do not speak faithfully only what Yahweh has told them”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

חִלְּלוּ־קֹ֔דֶשׁ

profane sanctuary

Zephaniah is using the adjective holy as a noun to mean a certain thing or kind of thing. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. The word holy could be referring to: (1) the temple, as a holy place set apart for the worship of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “treat the temple as if it were just an ordinary place” (2) in addition to the temple, all of the clothing, equipment, and food that was set apart for the use of the priests in leading the people in the worship of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “treat the special things that they are supposed to use in worship as if they were ordinary things”