Denunciations of destruction

ZEPHANIAH.

to Judah and Jerusalem.

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A. M. 3374. 21I will utterly consume all things || this place, and the name of the A. M. 3374. from off the land, saith the LORD. Chemarims with the priests;

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Verses 2, 3. I will utterly consume all things, &c. || nant of Baal-The altars, or places of worship, de-That is, I will make the land of Judea quite deso-dicated to Baal, which still remain in this place, late. I will consume man and beast, &c.—That is, namely, Jerusalem; and the name of the Chemarims beasts of the tame and domestic kind. I will con--Of the idolatrous priests, for so the same word is sume the fowls of the heaven and the fishes of the rendered 2 Kings xxiii. 5, where see the note; with sea-Or of the waters, as we are wont to speak, for the priests-That is, I will destroy these together the Jews called every large collection of waters a with the priests of the tribe of Levi, who have been sea. The meaning is, I will bring a judicial and ex-joined in the worship of idols, in which, as we learn traordinary desolation on the land, which shall extend itself even to the birds and fishes: see notes on Hos. iv. 3; Jer. iv. 23-25. Virgil speaks of pestilential disorders affecting both the fishes of the sea and the fowls of the heaven.

"Jam maris immensi prolem, et genus omne natantum
Litore in extremo, ceu naufraga corpora, fluctus
Proluit."
GEORG. iii. 1. 541.
"Ipsis est aër avibus non æquus; et illæ
Præcipites altâ vitam sub nube relinquunt."

Ib. 1. 546.

"The scaly nations of the sea profound,
Like shipwreck'd carcasses, are driven aground:
And mighty phocæ, never seen before,
In shallow streams, are stranded on the shore.
To birds their native heavens contagious prove,
From clouds they fall, and leave their souls above."
DRYDEN.
"It is known," says Bishop Newcome, “that birds
are affected by pestilential disorders arising from pu-
trified carcasses. They fall dead when they alight on
bales of cloth infected by the plague." And St. Je-
rome upon this place says, that there are sufficient
proofs when cities are laid waste, and great slaughter
is made of men, that it creates also a scarcity or soli-
tude of beasts, birds, and fishes; and he mentions
several places which, in those days, bore witness to
this, where he says, there was nothing left but earth
and sky, and briers and thick woods. And the stum-
bling-blocks with the wicked-In the Hebrew it is,
The offences with the wicked; that is, the idols
with their worshippers. I will cut off man from the
land-The land shall be depopulated, either by its
inhabitants being slain, or carried away captive.

from Ezek. viii. 11, xxii. 26, some of them were joined. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the house-tops-They were wont to worship the moon and stars upon the roofs of their houses, which were made flat. And that swear by the Lord, and by Malcham-That join the worship of idols to that of the true God. Malcham is the same with Moloch, to whom many of the people of Judah continued to offer their children, as Jeremiah upbraids them, chap. vii. 31; xix. 5; and that, it seems, after the reformation that Josiah had made. Swearing is an act of religious worship, or a solemn invocation of God, as a witness and a judge, Deut. x. 20; and therefore the Israelites were expressly forbidden to swear by idols, Josh. xxiii. 7. And them that are turned back, &c. That are apostates to idolatry. And those that have not sought the Lord-That live without any sense of religion, and, as it were, without God in the world.

dsVerse 7. Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord-Keep silence in token of an awful reverence toward God. For the day of the Lord is at hand— Now he is coming to execute his judgments upon the land. Humble thyself under his mighty hand, without repining or murmuring at his corrections, which thy sins do so justly deserve. For the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice-The slaughter of the wicked is called a sacrifice, because it is, in some sense, an atonement to God's justice. He hath bid his guests-This is an allusion to the custom of those who offered sacrifices, which was to invite their friends to partake of the feasts which accompanied them. So here God is said to invite his guests, that is, the Babylonians, who were to reap the spoils of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem, and of the desolation of Judea: or, as some explain it, the guests may mean ravenous birds wild beasts, and dogs, collected to devour the carcasses of the slain.

Verses 4-6. I will also stretch out my hand upon Judah-I will manifest my power upon Judah, as I have done upon Israel. And I will cut off the rem

A. M. 3374. Lord GOD: m for the day of the LORD is at hand: for "the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath 5 bid his guests.

Verses 8, 9. In that day I will punish the princes and the king's children-In 2 Kings xxv. 7, 21, we read of the fulfilling of both these particulars; the sons of King Zedekiah, and the principal officers of the state, being slain by the order of the king of Babylon. And all such as are clothed with strange apparel-Used for idolatrous purposes: see Deut. xxii. 11. There were peculiar vestments belonging to the worship of each idol; hence the command of Jehu, 2 Kings x. 22, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. The text may likewise be explained of such men as wore women's apparel, and such women as wore that of men, which was contrary to an express law, Deut. xxii. 5, and was a rite observed in the worship of some idols. In the same day will I punish all those that leap on the threshold-Or rather, over the threshold. The expression is thought to denote some idolatrous rite, like that which was practised in the temple of Dagon, where the priests did not tread upon the threshold, 1 Sam. v. 5. Thus the Chaldee paraphrast interprets it of those who walked after the laws or rites of the Philistines. Capellus, however, understands it of those who invaded the house of their neighbours, joyfully bounding on the threshold. "This sense is favoured by what follows."-Newcome. Which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit--|| Who enter into other men's houses, and take away their goods by fraud or violence, and carry them to the houses of their masters. The iniquitous officers of the kings and princes seem to be here intended, who employed all the arts of deceit and oppression, as well as of open violence, to fill their master's

coffers.

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to Judah and Jerusalem

from the second, and a great crash- A. M. 3374. ing from the hills.

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11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

13 Therefore, their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the " wine thereof.

P 2 Chron. xxxiii. 14.-9 James v. 1.- 7 Heb. curded, or, thickened.- Jer. xlviii. 11; Amos vi. 1.- - Psalm xciv. 7. t Deut. xxviii. 30, 39; Amos v. 11.-" Mic. vi. 15.

bylonians. The great crashing from the hills might be intended to signify the noise that should be heard from the palace and temple, which were situated on the mountains, Zion and Moriah. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh-The inhabitants of some particular part in or near Jerusalem. The Chaldee interprets it of the inhabitants near the brook Cedron. Bishop Newcome renders the clause, Howl ye inhabitants of the lower city, understanding it of the valley in Jerusalem, which divided the upper from the lower city, "This," says he, "is agreeable to the etymology of the word, which signifies a hollow place, a mortar." In this sense the word is understood by Buxtorf. For all the merchant people are cut down -All they who used to traffic with you shall be destroyed. All they that bear silver are cut off—All the money-changers: the rich merchants in general, or the money-changers in particular, may be meant.

Verses 12, 13. At that time, I will search Jerusalem with candles-I will deliver up Jerusalem into the hands of the Chaldeans, who shall let no corner of it escape them, but shall diligently search the houses, even with lights or torches, that they may plunder them of every thing. And punish the men that are settled on their lees-Who live securely in ease and plenty: see notes on Jer. xlviii. 11, and Amos vi. 1. That say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, &c.-Who have not God in all their thoughts, or imagine that he doth not concern himself with the affairs of the world, and that neither good nor evil is brought to pass by his providence. The prophet especially describes those men, who, trusting in their riches, paid very little regard to the threats of the prophets, and seemed entirely safe in their own eyes, while they kept their beloved treasures. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, &c.-The enemy shall plunder their goods, and turn them out of their houses and possessions, so that they shall not inherit the houses they have built, nor drink the wine of the vineyards which

Verses 10, 11. In that day there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish-gate-Mentioned Neh, iii. 3. It was opposite to Joppa, according to Jerome, and at the entering of the city from that quarter. The sundry expressions of this verse are intended to describe the cries and shrieks that should arise from all parts of the city, upon the taking of it by the Ba- || they have planted.

CHAPTER II.

In this chapter we have, (1,) An earnest exhortation to the Jews to repent, and make their peace with God, in order to prevent the judgments threatened before it was too late, 1-3. (2,) A denunciation of desolating judgments to the neighbour. ing nations, which had assisted in bringing calamities on Israel, or had rejoiced therein; particularly the Philistines, 4-7; the Moabites and Ammonites, 8-11; the Ethiopians and Assyrians, 12-15.

GATHER yourselves together, || 2 Before the decree bring forth, A. M. 374.
yea, gather together, O nation before the day pass as the chaff,
before the fierce anger of the LORD come

Joel ii. 16. Or, not desirous.- b Job xxi. 18; Psalmi. 4; Isaiah xvii. 13; Hosea xiii. 3.

A denunciation of judgments

CHAPTER II.

to the neighbouring nations.

A. M. 3374. upon you, before the day of the || upon in the houses of Ashkelon A. M. 3374. LORD's anger come upon you. shall they lie down in the evening:

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3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: fit may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.

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2 for the LORD their God shall" visit them, and turn away their captivity.

8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ash-magnified themselves against their border. dod at the noon-day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

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9 Therefore, as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely ⚫ Moab shall

5 Wo unto the inhabitants of the sea-coasts, || be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the || Gomorrah, " even the breeding of nettles, and LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of salt-pits, and a perpetual desolation: *the the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that residue of my people shall spoil them, and the there shall be no inhabitant. remnant of my people shall possess them.

6 And the sea-coast shall be dwellings, and cottages for shepherds, 1 and folds for flocks.

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10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of

7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed there-hosts.

d Psa. cv. 4; Amos v. 6.— Le Psa. lxxvi. 9.- f Joel ii. 14; Amos v. 15; Jonah iii. 9.- - Jer. xlvii. 4, 5; Ezek. xxv. 15;|| Amos i. 6, 7, 8; Zech. ix. 5, 6. Jer. vi. 4; xv. 8.- Li Ezek. XXV. 16.Josh. xiii. 3. Isa. xvii. 2; Verse 14. m Isa. xi. 11; Mic. iv. 7; v. 7, 8; Hag. i. 12; ii. 2; Verse 9.2 Or, when. Ezek. iv. 31; Luke i. 68.

Psalm cxxvi. 1; Jeremiah xxix. 14; Chap. iii. 20. Jer. xlviii. 27; Ezek. xxv. 8.- Ezek. xxv. 3, 6.- Jer. xlix. 1. Isa. xv.; Jer. xlviii.; Ezek. xxv. 9; Amos ii. 1.- Amos i. 13.- Lu Genesis xix. 25; Deuteron. xxix. 23; Isaiah xiii. 19; xxxiv. 13; Jer. xlix. 18; 1. 40.— Verse 7.- -y Isa. xvi. 6; Jer. xlviii. 29.

cipline of God's judgments. Before the decree bring|| read, Taρoikoι Kpпrwv, strangers of the Cretans. forth, before the day, &c.-Before the decree of God || shall bring forth the day that shall be like the passing of chaff; that is, wherein the wicked shall be dispersed, as the chaff is by the wind. God's consuming the wicked is often compared in Scripture to the dispersing of chaff.

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They are supposed to have been a colony removed from Crete to Palestine. O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee-The Canaanites, properly so called, were the same with the Philistines, and seated in that part of Palestine: see Josh. xiii. 3. And the sea-coast shall be dwellings Verse 3. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek-Here the for shepherds—The merchants, who inhabited there prophet addresses some others, different from those before, being driven far away by the calamities of addressed before, namely, the few pious, who still the times, or carried into captivity, and no others reremained in Jerusalem and Judah amidst the gene- sorting thither. And the coast shall be for the remral corruption; which have wrought his judgment—nant of the house of Judah-This is a declaration Who have obeyed his laws, and done his will. Seek that the sea-coasts, of which the Philistines should righteousness-That is, continue to seek it; perse- be dispossessed, should afterward come into the vere in the practice of every branch of piety and vir- possession of the Jewish people, namely, after Seek meekness-Patiently wait on the holy their return from their captivity; and that they and gracious God. It may be ye shall be hid, &c.—should feed their flocks there, which should lie down That ye shall be protected and preserved by the di- in the evening in the desolate or ruined houses of vine providence, amidst the dangers and calamities|| Ashkelon. of that dreadful time, when God shall execute his judgments.

tue.

Verses 8-11. I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of Ammon―These countries were Verses 4-7. For Gaza shall be forsaken-The destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, about five years after prophet digresses here to foretel the fate of some the destruction of Jerusalem: see the places referred cities and nations bordering on Judea; probably with to in the margin, where, as well as here, they are a view to show that when Judea should be invaded, threatened with destruction, for their insulting over and Jerusalem attacked, there would be no place for the Jews in their calamities. And magnified themthe Jews to escape to, since all the neighbouring selves against their border-Have invaded their cities would be brought to ruin, as well as those of territories: see Jer. xlix. 1. Surely Moab shall be Judea. Nebuchadnezzar, as history informs us, took as Sodom, and Ammon as Gomorrah-Proverbial many of the cities of the Philistines. Wo to the in- expressions signifying utter destruction; and a perhabitants of the sea-coasts-Wo to the Philistinespetual desolation--That shall never more be poswho live upon the coast of the Mediterranean sea: sessed by its former inhabitants. The residue of compare Ezek. xxv. 16, where, as well as here, they my people shall spoil them-Judas Maccabeus and are called Cherethiles, or Cherethims. The LXX. || his brethren subdued the Ammonites: see 1 Mac. v. 6.

11 The LORD will be terrible unto || Nineveh a desolation, and dry like A. M. 3374. them; for he will famish all the a wilderness. gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all isles of the heathen.

12bYe Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing by my sword.