Zephaniah 3

Zephaniah 3:1

HEr that is filthy and polluted] Or, gluttonous. Heb. craw.

citie] That is, Jerusalem.

Zephaniah 3:2

voice] Namely, Gods voice, calling her to repentance by his servants.

correction] Or, instruction.

Zephaniah 3:3

Her princes within her are roring lions] Ezekiel 22:27. Micah 3. 9, 10.

evening wolves] Jeremiah 5:6. Habakkuk 1:8.

gnaw not the bones] Or, leave not. Which are even raging with hunger, being so greedy that they eat up bones and all.

till the morrow] Or, in the morning.

Zephaniah 3:4

prophets] Jeremiah 23:11. Hosea 9:7.

light and treacherous persons] Or bold: in feigning prophecies of their own inventions, uttering them, and boldly maintaining of them.

violence to the law] Ezekiel 22:26.

Zephaniah 3:5

just LORD] That is, God, who hath chosen Jerusalem, for the place of his residence, and manifestation in the world, cannot in justice suffer these sinnes to escape punishment.

every morning] Heb. morning by morning. That is, every day, even in the morning, which seemed to have been the ordinary time for the Prophets preaching, he doth denounce to them his judgements to come: and represents unto them those which he had already executed upon other nations, to call his people to repentance. See 2 Chronicles 36:15. Jeremiah 7:13. & Jeremiah 11:7. & Jeremiah 25:3.

but] Or, yet. as Jeremiah 5:3.

Zephaniah 3:6

cut off the nations] By the destruction of other nations he sheweth, that the Jews should have learned to feare God.

towers are desolate] Heb. corners. See Chap. 1. 16. Because towers were set in corners of citie wals. The Hebrew word may also be taken for princes and lords, Judges 20:2. 1 Samuel 14:38.

Zephaniah 3:7

howsoever I punished them] Though I brought them into great miseries, by reason of their sinnes: yet will I save Jerusalem from finall ruine, if so be she will be converted.

they rose early] They were most earnest and ready to do wickedly, notwithstanding Gods judgements, Isaiah 1:5.

Zephaniah 3:8

wait ye upon me] O ye remainder of true beleevers, comfort your selves still, with the hope of my vengeance upon your enemies: and of the deliverance which I shall send to you in the Messias his time: for then will I gather all the nations together to serve me, as heretofore I have gathered them to punish them.

jealousie] Chap. 1. 18.

Zephaniah 3:9

For then will I turn to the people a pure language] Heb. lip. He giveth a reason of the former reason: for, under the Messias, the face of the earth shall be changed, by the conversion of the Gentiles, and by their sanctification in heart and tongue. See Isaiah 18:19.

one consent] Heb. with one shoulder. A phrase taken from oxen, which are yoked together. See Zechariah 7:11.

Zephaniah 3:10

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia] Even by the farthermost countreys, which have least knowledge of me, and of my grace, will I be served and worshipped. See Isaiah 18:7. Acts 8:27.

dispersed] My elect, as well Jews as Gentiles, dispersed throughout the world.

Zephaniah 3:11

shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings] Romans 6:21. O my Church, I will take away that ignominie from thee, wherewith I had heretofore punished thee for thy sinnes, and especially for thy pride, which thou wast grown to, by reason of the great prerogative which I had bestowed upon thee, of my presence and abode with thee.

because of my holy] Heb. in my holy.

Zephaniah 3:12

leave in the midst of thee, &c.] Out of the carnall and reproved Israel, and out of lost mankinde, will I deliver mine elect and beleevers, which are poore and wretched in the worlds esteeme. See Isaiah 14:32. Zac 11:11. & 13. 9.

Zephaniah 3:13

The remnant of Israel] The true beleevers, chosen out of all the world, being regenerated by the holy Ghost, shall live in puritie, sinceritie, and innocencie, like Christs true sheep, fed by the word of truth, and kept safe under his protection: without any other devices or cunning.

a deceitfull tongue be found in their mouth] Vers. 9.

Zephaniah 3:14

daughter of Zion] Isaiah 12:6. and Isaiah 54:1.

Zephaniah 3:15

judgements] That is, the punishments and visitations for thy sinnes.

enemy] As the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, and other nations.

the King of Israel] Namely, Jesus Christ, the true everlasting God, shall alwayes be with thee, in the power and grace of his Spirit, to defend and comfort thee.

Zephaniah 3:16

Let not thine hands be slack] Or, faint. Be not discouraged: strengthen thy self in faith and in perseverance in all the duties of thy calling, not fearing any harme, which may happen to thee.

Zephaniah 3:17

rejoyce over thee with joy] His delight shall be in thee, in loving thee, and in doing thee good, Jeremiah 32:41. Ezekiel 20:40.

he will rest in his love] Heb. he will be silent.

Zephaniah 3:18

sorrowfull for the solemn assembly] The poor Jews led into captivitie, and afflicted, chiefly by the cessation of Gods service: whereby (though God was at first honoured by offerings and sacrifices) he was dishonoured and blasphemed by his enemies. A figure of the elects being gathered together in the Church, out of which there is no true service of God.

the reproch of it, &c.] Heb. the burden upon it was reproch.

Zephaniah 3:19

save her] I will deliver the Church, which now is afflicted, as Mic. 4. 6. 7.

halteth] Ezekiel 34:16. Micah 4:7.

I will get them praise] Heb. I will set them for a praise.

in every land] As among the Assyrians, Chaldeans and Grecians, which did mock them and put them to shame.

where they have been put to shame] Heb. of their shame.

Zephaniah 3:20

bring you again] Into your countrey, which is the figure of the Church.