Zephaniah 3

The prophet complaint of the sins among all sorts and conditions of people of Juda, especially of their stiffneckedness, verse 1. &c. he threateneth them with the judgements of God. 8 after that, he prophecieth, how God would bring the heathen unto the knowledge of him and cleanse his church from her sins, protecting her, and destroying her enemies, till he should bring her to Glory.

1. Wo unto the heinous [Or, corrupt, rotten, vicious, or greedy. Oth. Wo to the crop. i.e. the city with the great crop, that followes up all like unto the birds of prey, that swallow all they meet with though never so course or raw] and the defiled: [or, prey-city: the Hebr. Word signifies to prey and oppress. Oth. The strained city. Viz. with all manner of abominable sins. Some read here, the pigeon-city, the sort of fowl having a great crop, and devouring up much meat] the oppressing city: [meaning, whose kings and princes and oter mighty and insolent citizens and inhabitants were wont variously and grievously to abuse and oppress many. Compare with this verse, the first and fifth chapters of the prophet Isaiah.]

2. She doth not hearken after the voice, [that is, after the warnings and exhortations of the LORD by his prophets] she doth not receive instructions: [i.e. she refuseth to be instructed, which is a sure mark f folly Proverbs 1:7. compare Jeremiah 2:30. and chapter 5.3. and chapter 7.28.] she trusteth no in the LORD; she draweth not inceer to her LORD. [viz. with all her heart. Compare Isaiah 29:12. but, Hosea 6:1 the godly call one upon another, to turn unto the LORD.]

3. Princes are roaring lions in the midst of her, [see Proverbs 28:15. and compare Ezekiel 22:27.] her Judge are evening-woves, [the range about in the evening, to see what sheep they may catch and worrie. See Habakkuk 1:8. by the evening here the night also may be understood; as Habakkuk 2:6.] that do not break the bones until the morning [Or, on the morning, but presently devour all, flesh and bones together, not leaving so much as the bare bones behinde to the next morning. Heb. That do not unbone (exossare) in the morning. See Num. 24. on verse 8. and compare Jeremiah 5:6.]

4. Her prophets are light, very faithlesse men: [Heb. Men of faithlesse; which are faithful to neither God nor man; their; their preist pollute the holy (thing) [i.e. they profane, or, unhallow the sanctuary; or, that which is hallowed and consecrated to the LORD: or, they do not preach the word of God uprightly, nor explain the true meaning thereof] they do violence to the law. [see Ezek. 22. the annotate. R verse 26. compare are Matthew 23:16. and Mark 7:9, 10, 10, &c.]

5. The righteous LORD, [Or, the Lord that is righteous] is in the midst of her [to wit, the city of Jerusalem; in regard that there he set up his worship; some conceive that these are the Jewes words, objected against those of the prophet, verse 4.] he doth no wrong: every morning [Heb. In morning, in morning i.e. dayly. See Chro. 36.15. Jeremiah 5:13. and 7.25. and 11.7. & 25.3] doth he give his right in the light. [i.e. doth he cause his right or judgement to be publickly taught, viz. by his Prophets who doubtless did what Paul commends to his disciple Timotheus 1 Tim. 4.16 and 2 Tim 4.2.] there is no want; [to wit,of any thing, whereby this people may be instructed Isaiah 5:4.] yet the perverse knows of no shame. [all is like to him. Comp. Jeremiah 3:3. &c and chapter 5.3.]

6. I have destroyed the heathen, their corners [see above chapter 1.16. yet some do here understand by corners the uttermost borders or frontiers of their countries] are laid waste; I have made their streets solitarie, that none passeth them: their cities are destroyed, so that there is none, that there is no inhabitant. [i.e. there is not a man to be found in them. Comp. above chapter 2.5, 56.14, 15.]

7. I said [i.e. I thought with my self] sure, [namely, in consideration of the judgements, that were executed upon the heathen] thou [O Jerusalem] wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction, [taking example and warning by the Heathen, oth. Read, fear me, yet receive instruction &c.] that her habitation may not be destroyed: [viz. Jerusalem. Others understand here by the inhabitation the inhabitants of that city; or, her habitation, for their habitations] however I visited them, [or, (by) all, wherewith I visited them: by them some understand the hearthen, others, the Jewes] verify they got up early, they corrupted all their doings [Or, neverthelesse they made haste, &c. i.e. they willfully hastened on their own destruction: or from the morning early have they corrupted, (or, spoiled) all their works: or; neverthelesse they did spoil all their works. See of the like joining of two verbs. Psalms 45:5]

8. Therefore wait for me, saith the Lord, in the day when I arise for the prey; [he continueth his speech to the wicked Jews; the sense is, do ye but attend, I will surely come and visit you by the Chaldeans and other nations] for my jugement [i.e. the decree of my decree of my purpose] is to assemble the heathen, to gather the kingdoms, [understand the Chaldeans and other nations. See Ezekiel 16:37.] to pour out [see Psalms 79:6 and comp. Ezekiel 22:31.] upon them [to wit, upon the Jewes, namely the stiffnecked ones. See ab. chapter 1.18.] my fiecenesse, all the heat of my wrath; for the whole land [viz. of Judea, as above chapter 1.18. understand thereby the major part of its inhabitants. So Genesis 41:57. that all the countries came into Egypt to Joseph i.e. many inhabitants of the neighbouring countries] shall be consumed by the fire of my jealousie.

9. Assuredly, the [viz. after that have visited these nations and the Jews in manner aforesaid: others conceive that by them here is to understood the tome of the Messia his coming] will I turn a pure language [Heb. Lip.] to the nations; [Or, then will I change the lips unto the nations into pure (lips): that is so say: I will then regenerate mine elect among the Gentiles, by the Holy spirit, that their tongues and hearts shall be pure entertaining pure and communications, of God, and serving him holy, see Isaiah 51:17] that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, that they may serve him with one even shoulder. [i.e. with one accord, or consent, unanimously: the phrase is borrowed from men or beasts bearing burdens. See Hos. 6 on verse 9. compare Jeremiah 32:39. and see the fulfilling, Acts 1:14. and chapter 2.1.46. and chap 4.32. see also John 10:16. Ezek. 2.14, &c.]

10. from the side of the rivers of the Ethopians, [i.e. from Ethiopia, yet under their name are likewise to be understood other remote people and nations, Isaiah 18:4. and chapt. 60.4.] shall worshippers, [see the annotate. Genesis 25:21 and Ezekiel 35:13 understand here those that being converted to God, are dayly addressing their prayers to God] (with) the daughter of my dispersed, [that is, together with the Jewes, that were dispersed in the Babylonian captivity, who are as dear unto me as a daughter to her mother. Compare Job 11.52. some Translators instead of (with) here, insert namely) in this sense, that the present of offering to be brought in this place, shall be the Jews, that were dispersed in the countries situate on the side of the rivers of Ethiopia] bring my sacrifice. [to wit spiritual sacrifices, or presents. i.e they shall serve and obey me. Compare Isaiah 18:7 and Malach. 1.11. Roma. 12.1. Oth. From the other side (or beyond) the river of Moores, shall my serious worshippers be brought unto me for a present. See the Accomplishment of this prophecie. Acts 8:27.35, 36.]

11. on that day shall ye [O my people, O my children] not being ashamed because of all your dealings, whereby ye transgressed against me: [the sense isfince, ye shall be sanctified and cleansed from all your sins, by the blood and spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, ye shall not be made ashamed fro the same before God’s tribunal] for then shall I take away out of the midst of thee those that leap up for joy, because of thy pride, [Oth. Glory, excellencie: for the Hebrew word is taken sometimes in a good and sometimes in a bad sense, and the sense seems to be this here, there shall be none more found among you thence forward, that shall exalt themselves boasting of their outward ceremonies, and that glorious structure of the temple; (Jeremiah 7:4) for the kingdom of God and his church shall from that time forward be dispersed all the world over. Job 4:21, 23.] and thou shalt henceforth no more exalt thy self for my holy mountains sake: [or, upon mine holy mountain. Heb. Upon the mountain of my holiness i.e. therefore that ye come and offer in my temple, upon the mountains of the LORD, or because of your vain confidence in the outward ceremonies, without heeding how your consciences may be sanctified]

12. But I will cause to remain in the midst of thee are afflicted [i.e. sufficiently by me chastised and humbled] and poor people, [i.e. mean and contemptible in the eyes and account of the word, and yet through the gazes of God made rich in faith and other spiritual gifts] they shall trust in the name of the LORD, [i.e. in the LORD himself, not in an outward thing, whether I be the city or the temple at Jerusalem, or any other thing but onely soly in the LORD. See Jer. 9.33, 34.]

13. The remains of Israel [i.e. those whom the LORD elected from among the rejected and forlorn Jews] shall do no wrong: [to wit, of set purpose, willfully, or, against their consciences. See I Job 3:9.] nor speak no lies and in their mouth, no deceitful tongue shall be found: [i.e. they shall not give or use themselves to lying and deceit, but rather unto all is holy, upright and honest] but they shall feed and lie down, [i.e. God shall protect and keep them from all the evil, that wicked men shall seek to bring upon them. Compare Mich. 4.4.] and none shall make them afraid . [i.e. they shall live quietly and safe: the wicked crue shall not dare to molest or annoy them, at the pleasure.]

14. Sing cheerfully thou daughter of Zion, shout Isaiah [the Hebrew verb is plural and Israel, singular] be glad and leap for joy with all the heart thou daughter of Jerusalem. [I.e. ye Israelites in the same sense, as the daughter of Zion, viz. in this place, the believing church of the New Testament.]

15. The Lord hath taken away thy judgements, [i.e. the chastisements or punishment for thy sins. This is the cause of that rejoicing spoken of before verse 14.] he hath chastised away [or, rid away, or, out of the way, see Genesis 24:21. Leviticus 14:39] thine enemy: [to wit, the Assyrians, Chaldeans, c as also and especially thy spiritual enemies, the divel and hell, hath he laid under thy fee. 1 Cor. 15.25, 26, 56, 57.] the king of Israel the LORd, is in the midst of the, [viz. for to descend and protect thee] thou shalt see no evil more. [thou shalt not need infear of any evil more. For there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, which is Jesus Christ our LORD, Romans 8:39. see Job 7:7. Psalms 80:10. Isaiah 40:3 and 57,14 and 62,10. Malachi 3:1.]

16. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, fear not O Zion; [Oth. To Zion] let not thine hands be slack i.e. be discouraged, do not grow remise and backward in the zeal of Godliness: the reason is given verse 15. viz. because the LORD is in the midst of her. See of this phrase 2 Sam 4 on verse 1.]

17. The Lord thy God is in the midst of thee, a champion that is able to deliver [in and through Christ alone we are able to over come, Rom, 8.37 and 1 Cor. 15.57. and 1 Job 5:4, 5.] he shall rejoice over thee with gladness, [by reason of that singular love, which he beareth unto thee] he shall keep silence in his love, [or, be still, at rest, that is he shall take content and satisfaction which he shall bear thee, 1 Pet. 2.5 or he shall no more afflict thee as formerly he did, because he loves you now in Christ and forgiveth you your sins] he shall rejoice over thee with shouting.

18. The sorrowfull (ones) for the assemblies sake [i.e. those that are sad and sorrowfull, for not being able to meet in the temple of God’s worship and service. Compare psalms 42.2, 3, 5. I will assemble; there are out thee, [i.e. because they also are God’s people or out of thee, O Jerusalem that is of the people of God] the scoffing is a burden upon her. [to wit, the sad congregation, namely, whem must converse with and among these scoffing companions, which make but a mock of God and his word. See the 42. Psalms throughout]

19. Behold, I, at that time, will undo all thine oppressours: and I will preserve the halting (one) [i.e. my church, now suffering. See Mich. 4 on verse 6. and compare Ezekiel 34:16. Mich. 4.7.] and gather the ejected one, [hereby some do understand the heathen, as also Mich. 4.6. others, those Jewes of Israelite which were carried away and dispersed into banishment] and I will set them., for a praise. [my people namely, the church, whom just now he had called the halting, or creeple and ejected one.] and for a name, [to wit, of honour and renown, as below verse 20.] in all the land where they were ashamed. [Heb. In all the land of their shame. Oth. Whose shame hath been all the land over that is, even there, where they were the common object of every ones scorn and reproach, especially among the Assyrians and Chaldeans, that made a mock and jear of god’s people.]

20. At that this time will I bring you [O ye ye Jewes] hitherward, [to wit, into this land of yours, which ye so greatly long after] in the time when I shall gather you. Assuredly [or for or then,] I will set you for a praise, among all nations of the earth, [this is to be understood in respect in respect of the church her spreading all the world over, at the coming of the Messia] when I shall turn your captivities [i.e. the exceeding great number of your captives. Compare Amos 9.24.] before your eyes saith the LORD.