Zephaniah 2:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zephaniah 2:1-3

Here we see what the prophet meant in that terrible description of the approaching judgments which we had in the foregoing chapter. From first to last his design was, not to drive the people to despair, but to drive them to God and to their duty?not to frighten them out of their wits, but to frighten them out of their sins. In pursuance of that he here calls them to repentance, national repentance, as the only way to prevent national ruin. Observe, I. The summons given them to a national... read more

John Gill

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

Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff ,.... Which was like a woman big with child, ready to be delivered. The decree of God concerning the people of the Jews was pregnant with wrath and ruin for their sins, and just ripe for execution; and therefore, before it was actually executed, they are exhorted as above; not that the decree of God which was gone forth could be frustrated and made void by anything done by them; only that, when it was put into execution, such... 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

Albert Barnes

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

Before the decree bring forth - God’s word is full (as it were) of the event which it foretelleth; it contains its own fulfillment in itself, and “travaileth” until it come to pass, giving signs of its coming, yet delaying until the full time. Time is said to bring forth what is wrought in it. “Thou knowest not, what a day shall bring forth.”Before the day pass as the chaff - Or, parenthetically, “like chaff the day passeth by.” God’s counsels lie wrapt up, as it were, in the womb of time,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zephaniah 2:1-2

Zephaniah 2:1-2. Gather yourselves together, &c. Assemble yourselves to make a public humiliation: see Joel 2:16. O nation not desired Or coveted, as the word נכס Šproperly signifies. The Vulgate renders it, non amabilis, not lovely; and the Greek, το απαιδευτον , uninstructed, or, that will not receive instruction; that is, not to be amended but by the discipline of God’s judgments. Before the decree bring forth, before the day, &c. Before the decree of God shall... 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

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