Zephaniah 1

Zephaniah 1:2

I Will] A threatening of the Countries desolation by the Caldeans.

Zephaniah 1:3

The fowles] A kinde of amplification very frequent amongst the Prophets. See Jer. 4. 25. and 12. 4. Hosea 4:3 Stumbling blocks] the Idols, and all the objects and instruments of Idolatry; by which men were induced to sinne, even to their owne ruine, See Deuteronomy 7:1-26. 5. Ezekiel 14:3; Ezekiel 14:7

Zephaniah 1:4

The remnant] that which remained since Josias Reformation, 2 King. 23. 3, 4, 5 Chemarins] they were a certaine kinde of ministring Officers, belonging to Idols, See 2 King. 23. 5. Hosea 10:5 The Priests] namely; of Idols. Or Leviticall Priests; but corrupted by Idolatry, 2 King 23. 8; 9. or by a wicked life, Zeph. 3, 4.

Zephaniah 1:5

That worship and] by an outward profession, gain-sayed by their life and conversation, Isaiah 48:1. Others, translate it; which worshipping the Lord, and swearing by him, sweare also by Macham; that is to say; which mixe the service of the true God with the service of Idols. See Hosea 4:15 Sweare by] the Italian, sweare to] peradventure 〈◊〉th a relation to the renewing of the Coe by Josia, 2 King 23 3. Others, sweare by the Lord, which comprehendeth the whole profession of true Religion, Psal. 63. 11. Isa. 19. 18. and 45. 23 Malcham]an Idoll of the Ammonites, served in Tophet, neare to Jerusalem, 2 King. 23. 10, Jeremiah 49:3. Amos 1:15.

Zephaniah 1:7

Hold thy peace] let every one in humility and reverence adore Gods judgements, without any murmuring or contradiction A sacrifice] A great slaughter, as it were, to prepare a banquet; which he intends to make for the Caldeans, who are as it were, his guests: or for the fowles of the aire, and for ravening beasts, as Isaiah 34:6. Jeremiah 46:10. Ezek. 39 17. Revelation 19:17.

Zephaniah 1:8

As are cloathed] he seemes to meane the great Courtiers; who clothed themselves in a Caldean or Egyptian habit, according to the party they followed: or by a prophane affectation.

Zephaniah 1:9

That leap] this was indeed a very frequent Superstition amongst the heathen upon many occasions; as 1 Sam. 5 5. but because that agreeth not with this place, it seemes to be a proverbiall kinde of speech, to signifie, great mens Officers; who by an absolute power went into other mens houses; and to whom no doores were sht.

Zephaniah 1:10

The noise] A great umult at the taking of Jerusalem by the Caldeans; who came in at these two gates, Je. 3. 3. See concerning this Fishgate, 2 Chron. 33 14. Nehemiah 3:3. which is also called the first gate, Zech. 14 10. to make a difference between it, and this second gate Te hils] as the hils of Gareb, and Goath, Jeremiah 31:39. on the West side of Jerusalem; where it should seeme, the Chaldeans did also endevour to force the City.

Zephaniah 1:11

Of Mtesh] It is thought that hee meanes a low village within the City betweene two hills; which was so called: Which by the Greekes for the same cause was called Tiropeon; as who should say: shape of a cheese; and that there were the shop-keepers for all manner of mercery wares That beare silver] the Italian, The money-bearers] Hereby is signified the rich trading, which was in that place to which money was carryed in great burthens.

Zephaniah 1:12

I will search] I will cause the Chaldeans to seeke out the most hidden things that are in Jerusalem That are setled] A phrase taken from such liquors as grew thicke when they are powred out of one vessell into another: Jeremiah 48:11. to signifie either the gathering together of riches in Jerusalem; which for many yeeres before had not been taken nor pillaged: Or, the stupidity and carnall security of the Inhabitants: to which seeme to be referred the following words of those prophane men, who denied Gods providence, or took no care of it: See Psal. 119. 10.

Zephaniah 1:14

The voyce of] The Chaldeans shall come so suddenly, that the first newes that shall be heard of it, shall be the terrible cries of the tumult of the captaines and souldiers being already at the gate.

Zephaniah 1:16

The higher towers] the Italian, The high corners] Which are the places in Cities most fortified with towers and bastions, &c. Others translate it towers.

Zephaniah 1:17

They shall walke] They shall be amazed and unprovided of counsell and advice.