Zephaniah 2:14-15 NIV

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 2:14

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:15

This is the rejoicing city - The city in which mirth, jocularity, and pleasure, reigned without interruption. And wag his hand - Will point her out as a mark and monument of Divine displeasure. 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 2:12-15

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 2:14

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 2:14

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

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:15

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:12-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:15

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

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