Definition: Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD [is] at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Zephaniah 1:7. It’s a pretty intense and symbolic passage about the coming of God’s judgment and preparation. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is about to deliver a very significant punishment. It's not just a bad day; it's a massive and unavoidable event. Let’s unpack the parts: “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD” : This means we need to be calm, quiet, and obedient to God. It's about recognizing that God is in control and powerful. Think of it like a moment of reverence and submission before something big happens. “for the day of the LORD [is] at hand” : This is the most important part. "The Lord" refers to Jesus Christ. “The day of the Lord” means the end of time, or the future . It’s not about a specific date, but rather a future event that will happen eventually. “for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice” : This is a HUGE statement. God isn't just planning something bad; He's actively preparing for it. It’s like He’s setting up a massive offering to be presented to Him. “he hath bid his guests” : This is a very dramatic and ominous phrase. It implies that God has already chosen who will be involved in this sacrifice – it’s not just about the event itself, but also the people participating. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: Zephaniah 1:7 describes a time of impending judgment and preparation for God's return. It suggests a period of intense suffering and upheaval that will occur because of God's plan. It’s a call to humility, obedience, and reverence – urging us to be ready for what is coming. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy about the end times, but it also carries a deeper message about God's sovereignty and His ultimate judgment. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or themes? Give you a quick summary of the overall context of Zephaniah 1?