Bible Commentaries
Zephaniah 2

Verse 1

Gathers = Collect. Hebrew. kashash. Occurs only in Exodus 5:7 , Exodus 5:12 .Numbers 15:32 , Numbers 15:33 ; 1Ki 17:10 , 1 Kings 17:12 . It is not the same word as in Zephaniah 3:8 , Zephaniah 3:18 ; or in Zephaniah 3:19 , Zephaniah 3:20 . See the notes there.

not desired = not desirable. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Verb), App-6 .

Verse 2

day = judgment. See note on Zephaniah 1:8 .

Verse 3

Seek . . . seek. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:29 ), as in Zephaniah 1:6 .

judgment = ordinances; as in Isaiah 58:2 .Jeremiah 8:7 .

ye shall be hid. Referring to Isaiah 26:20 , and the meaning of the name Zephaniah.

Verse 4

For Gaza. Supply the logical Ellipsis ( App-6 ), here, and in verses: Zep 8:12 , Zep 8:13 , Zephaniah 3:1 , thus: "[Mine anger shall be upon Gaza, saith the Lord ], For", &c.

Gaza . . . forsaken. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Heb 'azzah . . . 'azubah.

Ashkelon. Now 'Askalan, on the coast of Philistia.

desolation = ruin. Long since fulfilled.

Aahdod Now Esdud. The same as Azotus in Acts 8:40 .

at the noon day: i.e. during the noon day siesta.

Ekron . . . rooted up. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia , for emphasis. Hebrew. 'ekron . . . te'aker.

Verse 5

sea coast: or, country by the sea.

Verse 6

dwellings = pastures.

cottages = pens.

Verse 7

be for. Supply the Ellipsis = "be for [a possession] to".

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

shall visit them. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 50:24 .Exodus 3:16; Exodus 3:16 ). App-92 .

them: i.e. the remnant of Judah.

Verse 8

I have heard. Supply the logical Ellipsis ( App-6 ): "[My judgment shall come upon Moab], for I have heard", &c, as in Zephaniah 2:8 , &c.

Moab. Compare Isaiah 1:0 5 and Isaiah 16:0 . Jeremiah 48:0 . Amos 2:1-3 .

children = sons.

Ammon. Compare Jeremiah 49:1-6 . Amos 1:13-15 .

reproached. See Judges 11:12-28 .

Verse 9

saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

the God of Israel. See note on Isaiah 29:23 .

shall be as Sodom. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 19:24 , Genesis 19:25 ). App-92 .

the breeding of nettles, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 29:23 , &c.)

of My People. Some codices, with two early printed editions (one Rabbinic), read "of the nations".

People = nation.

possess = inherit.

Verse 11

famish = cause to waste away.

the isles of the heathen = the coast-lands of the nations. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:5 ). App-92 . The phrase occurs nowhere else.

isles = coast-lands.

heathen = nations.

Verse 12

ye. See note on "For", Zephaniah 2:4 .

Verse 13

And He. See note on "For", Zephaniah 2:4 .

stretch out His hand. Idiom for executing judgment.

the north: i.e. against Assyria, because although west of Canaan, the road and entrance was by the north.

Verse 14

all = all kinds of. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 .

upper lintels = chapiters, or carved capitals.

cedar work: i.e. the wainscotting.

Verse 15

wag his hand. Idiom expressive of derision.