Zephaniah 2:4,Zephaniah 2:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zephaniah 2:4-7

The prophet here comes to foretel what share the neighbouring nations should have in the destruction made upon those parts of the world by Nebuchadnezzar and his victorious Chaldees, as others of the prophets did at that time, which is designed, 1. To awaken the people of the Jews, by making them sensible how strong, how deep, how large, the inundation of calamities should be, that the day of the Lord, which was near, might appear the more dreadful, and they might thereby be quickened to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:4

For Gaza shall be forsaken ,.... Therefore seek the Lord; and not to the Philistines, since they would be destroyed, to whom Gaza, and the other cities later mentioned, belonged; so Aben Ezra connects the words, suggesting that it would be in vain to flee thither for shelter, or seek for refuge there; though others think that this and what follows is subjoined, either to assure the Jews of their certain ruin, since this would be the case of the nations about them; or to alleviate their... read more

Adam Clarke

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:4

Verse 4 The Prophet begins here to console the elect; for when God’s vengeance had passed away, which would only be for a time against them, the heathens and foreigners would find God in their turn to be their judge to punish them for the wrongs done to his people; though some think that God’s judgment on the Jews is here described, while yet the Prophet expressly mentions their neighbors: but the former view seems to me more suitable,—that the Prophet reminds the faithful of a future change of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:4

There is reason enough why Judah should tremble when the nations around her, such as the powerful and turbulent Philistines, fall before the invading host. Four of the five cities of the Philistines are mentioned, as denoting the whole territory, which again is the representative of the heathen world more definitely particularized later on. Thus the four quarters of the world are virtually specified: the Philistines representing the west,, the Moabites and Ammonites ( Zephaniah 2:8-10 ) the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:4-7

§ 2. The admonition is enforced by the announcement of the punishment that is about to fall on various nations, which shall prepare the way for the general acceptance of true religion; and first the sentence shall reach the Philistines. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zephaniah 2:4

For - As a ground for repentance and perseverance, he goes through Pagan nations, upon whom God’s wrath should come. Jerome: “As Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, after visions concerning Judah, turn to other nations round about, and according to the character of each, announce what shall come upon them, and dwell at length upon it, so doth this prophet, though more briefly” And thus under five nations, who lay west, east, south and north, he includes all mankind on all sides, and, again, according to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zephaniah 2:4-7

Zephaniah 2:4-7. For Gaza shall be forsaken The prophet digresses here to foretel the fate of some cities and nations bordering on Judea; probably with a view to show that when Judea should be invaded, and Jerusalem attacked, there would be no place for the Jews to escape to, since all the neighbouring cities would be brought to ruin, as well as those of Judea. Nebuchadnezzar, as history informs us, took many of the cities of the Philistines. Wo to the inhabitants of the sea-coasts Wo to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:1-15

The certainty of judgment (2:1-15)In spite of the certainty of judgment, there is still hope for those who will turn to God in humility and faith. The only ones to escape the divine wrath will be those who renounce their former wrongdoing and determine to live in obedience to God (2:1-3).To impress upon the Jerusalemites that no sinners will escape God’s wrath, Zechariah gives them examples of coming judgment on neighbouring nations. The first judgment concerns regions to the west of Judah. The... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Zephaniah 2:4

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