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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:14

Verse 14 The Prophet describes here the state of the city and the desolation of the country. He says, that the habitations of flocks would be in the midst of the city Nineveh. The city, we know, was populous; but while men were so many, there was no place for flocks, especially in the middle of a city so celebrated. Hence no common change is here described by the Prophet, when he says, that flocks would lie down in the middle of Nineveh; and he adds, all wild beasts. For beasts, which seek... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:15

Verse 15 He seems to have added this by way of anticipation, lest the magnificent splendor of the city Nineveh should frighten the Jews, as though it were exempt from all danger. The Prophet therefore reminds them here, that though Nineveh was thus proud of its wealth, it could not yet escape the hand of God; nay, he shows that the greatness, on account of which Nineveh extolled itself, would be the cause of its ruin; for it would cast itself down by its own pride: as a wall, when it swells,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:12

Ethiopians ; Cushites. These are named as the most remote inhabitants of the south with which the Israelites were acquainted ( Ezekiel 38:5 ). Ye shall be slain by my sword; the slain of my sword are they, the second person being dropped, as one cannot address the dead (Orelli). The Lord's sword is the instrument which he uses to effect his purpose of punishment (comp. Isaiah 27:1 ; Isaiah 34:5 ; Isaiah 66:16 ). The Ethiopians are reckoned among the forces of Egypt ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:12-15

5. The judgment shall fall upon the Ethiopians and Assyrians, representing the south and north. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:13

The north, represented by Assyria, as yet unconquered, and still apparently flourishing. Though this country lay to the northeast of Palestine, its armies attacked from the north, and it is generally represented as a northern power. Its destruction was foretold ( Isaiah 10:12 ; Ezekiel 31:11 , etc.; Nahum 1:14 , etc.). In this verse the Hebrew verbs are not in the simple future, but in the imperative or optative mood, "Let him stretch out his hand," etc; as though the prophet were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:14

Flocks ; herds. The prophet describes graphically the desolation mentioned in the preceding verse. The "herds" are not sheep and cattle, as in parallel cases ( Isaiah 17:2 ; Isaiah 27:10 ; Isaiah 32:14 ), but all the beasts of the nations — all the wild beasts that infest the country. Septuagint, πάντα τὰ θηρία τῆς γῆς . The Hebrew will hardly hear Keil's rendering, "all kinds of beasts in crowds." (Compare similar predictions, Isaiah 13:21 ; Isaiah 34:11 , Isaiah... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:15

This is the rejoicing city. Such is the fate of this once exulting city, that dwelt carelessly, secure, with no fear of danger at hand ( Isaiah 47:8 , on which this passage is founded). I am, and there is none beside me. Thus, in effect, Nineveh claimed for himself the attributes of Almighty God. She stands alone, mistress of nations, a type of the powers of this world, which deify themselves and defy the Lord. Septuagint, οὐκ ἔστι μετ ἐμὲ ἔτι , "There is no more any after... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zephaniah 2:12

Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by My sword - Literally, “Ye Ethiopians also, the slain of My sword are they.” Having summoned them to His throne, God speaks of them, not to them anymore; perhaps in compassion, as elsewhere in indignation . The Ethiopians were not in any direct antagonism to God and His people, but allied only to their old oppressor, Egypt. They may have been in Pharaoh Necho’s army, in resisting which, as a subject of Assyria, Josiah was slain: they are mentioned... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zephaniah 2:13

Zephaniah began by singling out Judah amid the general destruction, “I will also stretch out My Hand upon Judah” Zephaniah 1:4; he sums up the judgment of the world in the same way; “He will stretch out, or, Stretch He forth, “His Hand against the north and destroy Asshur, and make Nineveh a desolation.” Judah had, in Zephaniah’s time, nothing to fear from Assyria. Isaiah Isaiah 39:6 and Micah Micah 4:10 had already foretold, that the captivity would be to Babylon. Yet of Assyria alone the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zephaniah 2:14

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her - No desolation is like that of decayed luxury. It preaches the nothingness of man, the fruitlessness of his toils, the fleetingness of his hopes and enjoyments, and their baffling when at their height. Grass in a court or on a once beaten road, much more, in a town, speaks of the passing away of what has been, that man was accustomed to be there, and is not, or is there less than he was. It leaves the feeling of void and forsakenness. But in... read more

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