Bible Commentaries

Gathers = Collect. Hebrew. kashash. Occurs only in Exodus 5:7, Exodus 5:12. Numbers 15:32, Numbers 15:33; 1 Kings 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.

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

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.

For Gaza. Supply the logical Ellipsis (App-6), here, and in verses: Zephaniah 8:12, Zephaniah 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.

sea coast: or, country by the sea.

dwellings = pastures.

cottages = pens.

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). App-92.

them: i.e. the remnant of Judah.

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 Isa 15and Isa 16. Jer 48. Amos 2:1-3.

children = sons.

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

reproached. See Judges 11:12-28.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

upper lintels = chapiters, or carved capitals.

cedar work: i.e. the wainscotting.

wag his hand. Idiom expressive of derision.