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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zephaniah 2:8-11

The Moabites and Ammonites were both of the posterity of Lot; their countries joined, and, both adjoining to Israel, they are here put together in the prophecy against them. I. They are both charged with the same crime, and that was reproaching and reviling the people of God and triumphing in their calamities (Zeph. 2:8): They have reproached my people; while God's people kept close to their duty it is probable that they reproached them for the singularities of their religion; and now that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:11

The Lord will be terrible unto them ,.... To the Moabites and Ammonites in the execution of his judgments upon them, and make their proud hearts tremble; for with him is terrible majesty; he is terrible to the kings of the earth, and cuts off the spirit of princes, Job 37:22 or, as Kimchi observes, this may be understood of the people of God reproached by the Moabites and Ammonites, by whom the Lord is to be feared and reverenced with a godly and filial fear: so it may be rendered, "the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:12

Ye Ethiopians also ,.... Or, "as for ye Ethiopians also" F8 גם א־תאם כושים "etiam ad vos Aethiopes quod attinet", Piscator. ; not the Ethiopians in Africa beyond Egypt, at a distance from the land of Israel, and the countries before mentioned; but the inhabitants of Arabia Chusea, or Ethiopia, which lay near to Moab and Ammon; these should not escape, but suffer with their neighbours, who sometimes distressed the people of the Jews, and made war with them, being nigh them; see 2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:13

And he will stretch out his hand against the north ,.... Either the Lord, or Nebuchadnezzar his sword; who, as he would subdue the nations that lay southward, he would lead his army northward against the land of Assyria, which lay to the north of Judea, as next explained: and destroy Assyria ; that famous monarchy, which had ruled over the kingdoms of the earth, now should come to an end, and be reduced to subjection to the king of Babylon: and will make Nineveh a desolation ; which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:14

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her ,.... In the midst of the city of Nineveh; in the streets of it, where houses stood, and people in great numbers walked; but now only should be seen the cottages of shepherds, and flocks of sheep feeding or lying down, as is before observed of the sea coast of the Philistines, Zephaniah 2:6 , all the beasts of the nations ; that is, all sorts of beasts, especially wild beasts, in the several parts of the world, should come and dwell here;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:15

This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly ,.... Once exceeding populous, and the inhabitants full of mirth and gaiety, abounding with wealth and riches, and indulging themselves in all carnal delights and pleasures; and, being well fortified, thought themselves out of all danger, and were careless and unconcerned, not fearing any enemy that should attack them; imagining their city was impregnable and invincible: these are the words of the prophet, concluding his prophecy concerning... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:11

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:12

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:13

He will - destroy Assyria - He will overthrow the empire, and Nineveh, their metropolitan city. See on Jonah and Nahum. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:14

And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her - Nineveh was so completely destroyed, that its situation is not at present even known. The present city of Mossoul is supposed to be in the vicinity of the place where this ancient city stood. The cormorant קאת kaath ; and the bittern, קפד kippod . These Newcome translates, "The pelican and the porcupine." Their voice shall sing in the windows - The windows shall be all demolished; wild fowl shall build their nests in them, and... read more

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