Bible Commentaries
Zephaniah 2

Verse 1

Zep 2:1. Gather together is an exhortation for them to concentrate their attention upon the situation. Nation not desired means that their present state and conduct failed to meet the approval of the Lord.

Verse 2

Zep 2:2. Before the decree bring forth. If anything is to be done to avert the impending doom it must be done soon for the time of the invasion is near. As the chaff denotes that the nation was to be threshed and the worthless parts blown away.

Verse 3

Zep 2:3. Here is another instance of the apparent disagreement between the different announcements made to the people of Israel. The subject is explained by the long note offered in the comments on 2Ki 22:17 volume 2 of this Commentary.

Verse 4

Zep 2:4-5. The towns and places named in this paragraph were those of the Philistines and adjoining territory. Those people had been enemies to God's nation and He decreed that they should be punished. And when the Lord's own people have received their just chastisement and have come back to their native land, these other spots will serve for the use of the returning nation.

Verse 6

Zep 2:6. Some of the uses that will be made of these territories are specified in this verse. One of the chief industries in the land of Palestine was that of the production and raising of sheep. The area under consideration was to furnish shelter for the shepherds and their flocks.

Verse 7

Zep 2:7. This verse specifically looks beyond the captivity about to come upon Judah and includes the return to Palestine. The captivity was to serve as a chastisement for the people of Judah and was not intended to be continued any longer than was necessary to accomplish the Lord's purposes.

Verse 8

Zep 2:8. These heathen nations had spoken lightly of the Lord's people and he was aroused in his jealousy over it, so that He was determined to make them feel the sting of divine wrath.

Verse 9

Zep 2:9. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire from heaven (Genesis 19), and these Moabites and Ammonites were to be destroyed; not literally by fire, but with a destruction as decisive. Residue of my people means the remnant that was to return from the captivity ( Ezr 2:64).

Verse 10

Zep 2:10. A feeling of self-importance is often attributed to pride, and such was the case of the nations that arrayed themselves against Judah.

Verse 11

Zep 2:11. The heathen nations all depended upon their false gods and the Lord proposed to expose their weakness. Men shall worship him when they see His power to be superior to that of the idols. This does not mean they will become true servants of God in all of the requirements of divine law, but they will recognize Him as the superior deity over all beings claiming the adoration of mankind,

Verse 12

Zep 2:12. Ethiopia was another heathen nation that had made light of God's people and hence was threatened with divine vengeance.

Verse 13

Zep 2:13. The rest of the chapter is against the Assyrians and especially against the city of Nineveh which was their capital. That empire had invaded the land of Palestine in the days of the 10-tribe kingdom and had taken it into exile. As a punishment its territory was destined to become a wilderness.

Verse 14

Zep 2:14. After the Assyrians lost control of their territory, the same was to be used by their successors as a pasturage for their stock. Not only so, but wild creatures were to infest the desirable spots and enjoy themselves in the doleful place. Uncover the cedar work. The important buildings of ancient countries were lined with this beautiful wood, and the Lord predicted that they were to be ransacked and the ornamental cedar finishing be exposed to decay.

Verse 15

Zep 2:15. The disgrace of Nineveh is the subject of this verse. This was one of the proudest cities of the ancient world, but her pride was doomed to be brought down so low that all people passing by would cast reproachful glances and sneers at her.