Lexical Summary bogedoth: Treacherous women, traitors Original Word: בֹּגְדוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance treacherous Feminine plural active participle of bagad; treacheries -- treacherous. see HEBREW bagad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bagad Definition treachery NASB Translation treacherous (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֹּגְדוֺת plural abstract אַנְשֵׁי בֹגְדוֺת men of treachery Zephaniah 3:4. Topical Lexicon Overview The expression בֹּגְדוֹת occurs once in Scripture, describing the prophets of Jerusalem as “faithless men” (Zephaniah 3:4). Derived from the broader verbal idea of betrayal, the word paints a picture of deliberate covenant disloyalty. Though feminine in form, it modifies the masculine “men,” underscoring the intensity of their treachery rather than their gender. Usage in Zephaniah 3:4 Zephaniah presents a courtroom-like indictment against the capital city. The prophets, whose vocation called for faithful proclamation, are branded “faithless men” (אֲנְשֵׁי בֹגְדוֹת). The labeling is not rhetorical flourish but legal testimony. By turning prophecy into self-serving speech, they violated both God’s commandments and the people they were to shepherd. “Her prophets are reckless, faithless men; her priests profane the sanctuary and do violence to the law.” (Zephaniah 3:4) Relation to Covenant Infidelity Treachery is a covenant concept. Old Testament writers repeatedly denounce “dealing treacherously” (for example, Malachi 2:10, Hosea 6:7). In Zephaniah, the single occurrence of בֹּגְדוֹת gathers this heritage into one sharp term. The prophets’ betrayal is not merely personal misconduct; it is a breach of the Sinai covenant, where fidelity to Yahweh’s word is non-negotiable (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). Historical Setting Zephaniah ministered during the reign of Josiah (circa 640–609 B.C.), before the reforms had fully taken hold. Political pressure from Assyria was easing, and complacency had set in. Religious officials exploited their positions, assuming divine judgment was either distant or toothless. The term בֹּגְדוֹת therefore captures a specific historical moment when spiritual leaders masked covenant unfaithfulness with the trappings of orthodoxy. Prophetic Message 1. Divine Accountability: Public office does not shield leaders from judgment. By styling the prophets “faithless,” Zephaniah underscores that God evaluates ministry by covenant loyalty, not professional title. Broader Biblical Witness to Treachery Although בֹּגְדוֹת itself is rare, the underlying sin threads through Scripture: These passages reveal betrayal as an affront to God’s steadfast love (חֶסֶד), heightening the severity of Zephaniah’s charge. Ministry Reflections 1. Integrity of the Pulpit: Modern proclaimers must guard against subtle forms of betrayal—watering down truth, courting applause, or aligning with ungodly power structures (2 Timothy 4:2-4). In every era, בֹּגְדוֹת warns that the gravest danger to God’s people often arises when those commissioned to speak for Him betray their calling—yet it also testifies to the Lord’s unwavering commitment to purify and preserve His covenant community. Forms and Transliterations בֹּֽגְד֑וֹת בגדות bō·ḡə·ḏō·wṯ bogeDot bōḡəḏōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Zephaniah 3:4 HEB: פֹּֽחֲזִ֔ים אַנְשֵׁ֖י בֹּֽגְד֑וֹת כֹּהֲנֶ֙יהָ֙ חִלְּלוּ־ NAS: are reckless, treacherous men; KJV: [are] light [and] treacherous persons: INT: are reckless persons treacherous her priests have profaned 1 Occurrence |
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