Zephaniah 3

1 filthy. Rather, “rebellious,” as R.V.

2 the voice. The voice of God’s messengers, the prophets.

3 till the morrow. Rather, “for the morning”; i.e., They leave nothing for the morrow, but greedily devour all immediately.

5. He falleth not. A motto of encouragement for to-day and every day. A good morning text.

6. I have cut off the nations. Rather, as R.V., “I have cut off nations.” By their punishment the Jews should have taken warning: see ii. 4.

their towers. “their battlements,” R.V.

7. So their dwelling should not be cut off, etc. The better reading appears to be that of the Septuagint and Syriac, which give “from her eyes” (an almost identical word in the Hebrew letter) instead of “their dwelling.” Moffatt translates, “she will never lose sight of My orders.”

9. For then will I turn to the people (the peoples), etc. The rest of this chapter is very similar to Isa. xi., xxxv., ix.; Ezek. xxxvi., xxxvii.; and the same general principles are applicable to its interpretation: see the notes on those chapters.

10 the daughter of My dispersed. i.e., “My scattered people.”

11 shall thou not be ashamed. Thy punishment and disgrace shall have ceased.

12 afflicted. Or, “humble”; “poor in spirit” (Matt. v. 3).

17. He will rest in His love. Rather, “He will be silent in His love”; i.e., in His mercy He will mention thine iniquities no more: see Jer. xxxi. 34; Micah vii. 19. G. A. Smith reads: “He will renew His love.” This is a various reading of the Hebrew.

18 them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly. That is, those who mourned the loss of public worship.

19. I will get them praise and fame, etc. More exactly, as R.V., “I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.”