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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:13

Verse 13 The Prophet proceeds here to the Assyrians, whom we know to have been special enemies to the Church of God. For the Moabites and the Ammonites were fans only, as we have elsewhere seen, as they could not do much harm by their own strength. Hence they stirred up the Assyrians, they stirred up the Ethiopians and remote nations. The meaning, then, is, that no one of all the enemies of the Church would be left unpunished by God, as every one would receive a reward for his cruelty. He... read more

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 2:1

Gather yourselves together . So the versions; and this rendering is probably correct. The prophet calls upon his nation to assemble themselves together in order to take mutual counsel or to make general confession and supplication to God. Another rendering, based on some alteration of letters, is, "Set yourselves to be ashamed; yea, be ashamed" (comp. Isaiah 46:8 ). Yea, gather together. The LXX . renders the two words, συνάχθητε καὶ συνδέθητε , "be ye gathered and bound... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:1-2

Having declared fully and faithfully the Divine judgments, the prophet changed his tone, and, turning, to another aspect of truth and blending compassion with severity, he tenderly entreated those who had become so estranged from God to return to him with all their hearts. This is how he appeals to his godless fellow countrymen. "Gather yourselves," etc. ( Zephaniah 2:1 , Zephaniah 2:2 ). Notice — I. THE HARDENING EFFECT OF SIN . Evil hardens those who indulge in it, even as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:1-2

I. THE CONDITION OF THE NATION DESCRIBED . Not its physical or material, but its moral or religious, condition. The former prosperous and fitted to inspire vain thoughts of stability and permanence. Its upper classes devoted to money making and pleasure seeking ( Zephaniah 1:8 , Zephaniah 1:12 ; cf. Jeremiah 4:30 ); its lower orders, here not the victims of oppression ( Zephaniah 1:9 ; Zephaniah 3:1 ; cf. Jeremiah 5:27 , Jeremiah 5:28 ; Jeremiah 6:6 ), well fed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:1-3

§ 1. The prophet urges all to examine their ways before the day of the Lord come; and he prays the righteous to seek the Lord more earnestly, in order that they may be safe in the judgment. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:1-3

"Gather yourselves together," etc. Here is an exhortation to the men of Judah to repent ere the Chaldean invaders approach, and wreak destruction on their land. Two thoughts are suggested. I. SIN EXPOSES MAN TO RUIN . It was sin, in the form of idolatry and gross immorality, that exposed the Jewish people to the terrible doom that was now hanging over them. Sin is evermore the cause of all human suffering. Corporeal sin brings corporeal suffering; moral sin brings moral... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:2

Before the decree bring forth. Before the result follows the fiat. The Divine purpose is represented as a woman labouring with child, travailing before it comes to execution. This is thrice repeated in substance, to show the certainty and speed of its arrival. Before the day pass as the chaff. "Before" is not in the Hebrew, and the clause is parenthetical, "Like chaff the day passeth." "The day" must be still the day of the Lord, not the day of life or the day of repentance. God brings on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:3

The prophet here addresses especially the pious among the people, urging them to perseverance in the right way. Ye meek of the earth. The humble, peaceable, religious, among the Israelites are primarily meant; whose character is the direct contrary of the proud, self-confident infidels mentioned above (comp. Isaiah 11:4 ; Amos 2:7 ). But there is no reason why the admonition should not include the heathen who are striving to live after the light of conscience ( Isaiah 24:5 ; Romans... read more

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