Reference: Zephaniah, The Book of
Fausets
The bulk of the book forms the introduction to the grand closing consummation under Messiah (Zephaniah 1:2 to 3:8; Zephaniah 3:9-20).
I. Threat of judgments (Zep 1:2-7). On whom they shall fall (Zep 1:8-11). Nearness and awfulness of the day of the Lord, and impossibility of escape (Zep 1:12-18). Call to the apostate nation to repentance, and to the meek and righteous to exercise those graces which may avert the day of wrath (Zep 2:1-3). Motive to it: God's coming judgments on Israel's foes, the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites (the land of which three nations the remnant of Jehovah's people shall possess), Ethiopians, and Nineveh, which shall be a desolation;
He will famish all the gods of the earth (by destroying the nations worshipping them), and men shall worship Him each in his own house (Zep 2:4-15). The call being slighted and even Jerusalem being unreformed of her filthiness by the judgments on surrounding nations, the just God is constrained to chastise her (Zep 3:1-7). In all this the Chaldaeans' name, the executioners of God's vengeance on Judah, is not mentioned as in Jeremiah, for the latter being nearer the fulfillment prophesies more explicitly.
II. After her chastisement Jehovah invites the pious remnant of the Jews to wait upon Him, as He is about to interpose for Judah and Jerusalem against the nations gathered against her (Zechariah 12-14). "The remnant of Israel shall no longer do iniquity. The Lord her God shall rejoice over her with joy, and make her a praise among all people," who in consequence shall "all call upon Him and serve Him with one consent" (Zep 3:8-20). The style is graphic and vivid, and the language pure and free from Aramaisms.
Zep 2:14 corresponds to Isa 34:11; Zep 2:15 corresponds to Isa 47:8; Zep 3:10 corresponds to Isa 18:1; Zep 2:8 corresponds to Isa 16:6; Zep 1:5 corresponds to Jer 8:2; Zep 1:12 corresponds to Jer 48:11. Ro 15:6 apparently refers to Zep 3:9.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
We have heard of the pride of Moab and of his arrogance. We know of his pride, conceit and empty boasting.
Woe to the land of whirring wings which lies beyond the rivers of Ethiopia (Cush).
Pelicans and herons will take possession of the land. Porcupines and crows will live there. He will stretch the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of destruction over it.
Hear this you sensual one! You dwell securely and say in your heart: 'I am, and there is no one besides me. I will not sit as a widow. I will not lose children.' (Revelation 18:2-8)
They will be spread out and exposed to the sun, the moon, and all the stars in the sky. These are the things that they had loved, served, gone after, sought, and worshiped. Their bones will not be gathered or buried, but they will become manure on the ground.
Jehovah said: Moab has always lived secure and has never been taken into exile. Moab is like wine left to settle undisturbed and never poured from jar to jar. Its flavor has never been ruined, and it tastes as good as ever.
I will destroy (take away) (remove) (consume) everything on the face of the earth! declared Jehovah. (Zephaniah 2:3) I will terminate both man and beast. I will put an end to the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea. I will eliminate the sins that make people fall, together with the sinners. I will remove people from the face of the earth, declared Jehovah. read more. I will use my power against Judah and against the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will destroy followers of Baal in this place. I will remove the names of the pagan (idolatrous) priests along with my priests. I will remove those who bow down to worship the host of heaven on the housetops and those who bow down and swear to Jehovah and yet swear by Malcolm.
I will remove those who bow down to worship the host of heaven on the housetops and those who bow down and swear to Jehovah and yet swear by Malcolm. The same for those who have turned back from following Jehovah, and those who have not sought Jehovah or inquired of Him. read more. Be silent before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah! For the day of Jehovah is near! Jehovah has prepared a sacrifice. He has sanctified His guests. On that day of Jehovah's sacrifice, said Jehovah, I will punish the officials, the king's sons, and all who practice foreign customs. I will punish all who worship false gods and who steal and kill in order to fill their master's house with violence. On that day, said Jehovah, you will hear the sound of crying at the Fish Gate in Jerusalem. You will hear wailing in the newer part of the city and a loud crash from the hills. Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh! The people of Canaan have perished. Those wealthy with silver will be destroyed. At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps. I will punish the men that are satisfied with their wayward lifestyle. They say in their heart, 'Jehovah will not do good and he will not do evil.'
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps. I will punish the men that are satisfied with their wayward lifestyle. They say in their heart, 'Jehovah will not do good and he will not do evil.' Their wealth will be looted. Their homes will be demolished. They will build houses. However they will not live in them! They will plant vineyards. But they will not drink their wine! read more. The great Day of Jehovah is near. It is near and coming quickly. Listen! The mighty man will cry out bitterly on the Day of Jehovah. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish. That day will be a day of trouble, devastation and desolation! It will be a day of darkness and gloom. Indeed that day will be a day of clouds and overcast skies. That day will be a day of alarm signals and battle cries against the fortified cities and against the high corner towers. I will bring distress on humans and they will walk like they are blind! They have sinned against Jehovah! Their blood will be poured out like dust and their intestines like manure. Their silver and their gold will not be able to keep them safe in the Day of Jehovah's anger (rage) (wrath). He will devour all the nations by the fire of his zeal! He will exterminate all the inhabitants of the earth!
Come together, make everyone come together, you nation without shame! Before the decree takes effect. Before the day passes like the chaff. Before the fierce anger of Jehovah comes upon you. Yes, before the Day of Jehovah's anger comes upon you. read more. Seek Jehovah all you meek ones of the earth, you who have obeyed his Law! Seek righteousness! Seek meekness that you may be hidden in the Day of Jehovah's anger. (Hebrew: ulay-ulay, may-be; Septuagint: you may be hid.) (Hebrew: sathar: concealed, hidden, protected) (Zephaniah 1:2) (Amos 5:15) For Gaza will be abandoned. Ashkelon will be a desolate waste. They will drive out Ashdod at high noon. Ekron will be exterminated. Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Cherethites! The word of Jehovah is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines. I will destroy you and you will not be inhabited. The seacoast will be pastures, with cottages for shepherds and pens for sheep. The coast will be for the remnant of the house of Judah. They will feed their flocks there. They will rest at night in the houses of Ashkelon. Jehovah their God will visit them and gather back the captive ones. I have heard the reproach of Moab and the taunting by the children of Ammon. They have reproached my people. They behave arrogantly at the border.
I have heard the reproach of Moab and the taunting by the children of Ammon. They have reproached my people. They behave arrogantly at the border. Just as I live, said Jehovah of Hosts, the God of Israel, Moab will be like Sodom, and the children of Ammon like Gomorrah. They will be possessions of nettles and salt pits. They will be deserted forever! My people will plunder them and the remnant of my nation will take possession of their land. read more. They will have this instead of their pride. This is because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of Jehovah of Hosts. Jehovah will fill them with fear for he will starve (emaciate) all the gods of the earth! Men will worship him, each one from his place, even the coastlands of the nations. You Ethiopians (Cushites) will be slain by my sword! He will stretch out his hand (exercise his power) against the north, and destroy Assyria. He will make Nineveh a desolation. It will be barren like the desert wilderness. And herds will lie down in her midst, all the beasts of the nations. The pelican and the porcupine will lodge on the top of her pillars. Their voice will sing (hoot) (croak) in the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds for he will lay bare that which is built with cedar.
And herds will lie down in her midst, all the beasts of the nations. The pelican and the porcupine will lodge on the top of her pillars. Their voice will sing (hoot) (croak) in the windows. Desolation will be in the thresholds for he will lay bare that which is built with cedar. This is the joyous city that dwelled in security. She said in her heart, 'I am! There is no one else!' She has become an object of desolation, a place for wild animals to lie down in. Every one who passes by her will hiss, and wag his hand.
This is the joyous city that dwelled in security. She said in her heart, 'I am! There is no one else!' She has become an object of desolation, a place for wild animals to lie down in. Every one who passes by her will hiss, and wag his hand.
Woe to the oppressive city for she is rebellious and polluted (defiled)! She did not obey the voice of Jehovah. She would not accept correction (discipline). She did not trust Jehovah and draw close to her God. read more. Her princes (rulers) within her are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. They leave nothing till the morning. Her prophets are insolent and treacherous persons. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary! They have done violence to the law. Jehovah is righteous within her. He will do no wrong. He brings justice to the dawn of the morning. He does not fail! Yet the unjust know no shame. I have destroyed nations! Their battlements are completely destroyed! I have made their streets waste so that none pass by. I destroyed the people and the cities so that there is no inhabitant. I said, show me respect and receive discipline (instruction) (correction)! That way she would not loose her dwelling. This is according to all that I have appointed concerning her. But they rose early to corrupt all their deeds. Wait for me, said Jehovah, until the day that I rise up as a witness. I am determined to gather the nations. I will assemble the kingdoms to pour out upon them my indignation, even all my fierce anger! All the earth will be devoured with the fire of my zeal. I will give the peoples a pure language. They may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him (united in total agreement and purpose) shoulder to shoulder.
I will give the peoples a pure language. They may all call upon the name of Jehovah, to serve him (united in total agreement and purpose) shoulder to shoulder. The daughter of my scattered ones (my people) (my worshippers) will bring an offering to me from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.
The daughter of my scattered ones (my people) (my worshippers) will bring an offering to me from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia. At that time you will no longer be ashamed of your transgression against me. I will remove everyone who is proud and arrogant. You will never again be haughty on my holy mountain. read more. I will leave a faithful few, a humble and lowly people with you. They will seek refuge in the name of Jehovah. The faithful few (remnant) in Israel will not do wrong, tell lies, or use their tongues to deceive others. They will feed their sheep and lie down, and there will be no one making trouble for them. Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout (and sing) in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! Jehovah has removed his judgments against you. He has turned aside your enemies. The King of Israel, Jehovah, is in your midst! You will fear calamity no more. Jerusalem will be told in that day: Do not be afraid, O Zion! Do not loose courage. Jehovah your God is with you! He is a mighty one. He will exult over you with joy. He will refresh you with his love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts. They came from Jerusalem. The reproach of exile is a burden to them. I will deal at that time with all your oppressors. I will save the lame and gather the outcast. I will turn their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in! At that time I will gather you together. I will give you a name (honor) and praise among all the peoples of the earth! This will happen when I gather back your captive ones before your very eyes, declares Jehovah.
To this end you may glorify God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one accord (language) (united expression).