The sea-coasts, the nation of the Cherethites - The sea-coasts mean all the country lying on the Mediterranean coast from Egypt to Joppa and Gaza. The Cherethites - the Cretans who were probably a colony of the Phoenicians. See on 1 Samuel 30:14 ; (note), and Amos 9:7 ; (note). read more
And the sea-coasts shall be dwellings - Newcome considers כרת keroth as a proper name, not cottages or folds. The Septuagint have Κρητη , Crete, and so has the Syriac. Abp. Secker notes, Alibi non extat כרת , et forte notat patriam των כרתים . "The word כרת is not found elsewhere, and probably it is the name of the country of the Cherethim." read more
The coast shall be for the remnant - Several devastations fell on the Philistines. Gaza was ruined by the army of Alexander the Great, and the Maccabees finally accomplished all that was predicted by the prophets against this invariably wicked people. They lost their polity, and were at last obliged to receive circumcision. read more
I have heard the reproach of Moab - God punished them for the cruel part they had taken in the persecutions of the Jews; for when they lay under the displeasure of God, these nations insulted them in the most provoking manner. See on Amos 1:13 ; (note), and Genesis 19:25 ; (note); Deuteronomy 29:23 ; (note); Isaiah 13:19 ; (note); Isaiah 34:13 ; (note); Jeremiah 49:18 ; (note); Jeremiah 50:40 ; (note). read more
The breeding of nettles - That is, their land shall become desolate, and be a place for nettles, thorns, etc., to flourish in, for want of cultivation. read more
Because they have reproached - See on Zephaniah 2:8 ; (note). read more
He will famish all the gods of the earth - They shall have no more sacrifices; their worship shall be entirely destroyed. Idolaters supposed that their gods actually fed on the fumes and spirituous exhalations that arose from the burnt-offerings which they made unto their idols. It is in reference to this opinion that the Lord says, "He will famish all the gods of the land." read more
Ye Ethiopians also - Nebuchadnezzar subdued these. See Jeremiah 46:2 , Jeremiah 46:9 ; Ezekiel 30:4 , Ezekiel 30:10 . See also on Amos 9:7 ; (note). read more
He will - destroy Assyria - He will overthrow the empire, and Nineveh, their metropolitan city. See on Jonah and Nahum. read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:4
Gaza shall be forsaken - This prophecy is against the Philistines. They had been greatly harassed by the kings of Egypt; but were completely ruined by Nebuchadnezzar, who took all Phoenicia from the Egyptians; and about the time of his taking Tyre, devastated all the seignories of the Philistines. This ruin we have seen foretold by the other prophets, and have already remarked its exact fulfillment. read more