Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:11

Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

11. ye inhabitants of Maktesh ] The term Maktesh is rendered “hollow-place,” Jdg 15:19, and mortar, Pro 27:22. Some depression or valley in the city is referred to: Hitzig thinks of that between Acra and the Temple area, and others of the valley of the Tyropon or cheese-makers, a depression, now filled up with the rubbish of many centuries, which ran from north to south, dividing the city into two parts. The probability is that the Maktesh lay in the northern part of the city. It was on this side that Jerusalem was most liable to attack, and the prophet has in view throughout an invasion by a foe from the north.

all the merchant people ] lit. the people of Canaan. The Canaanites or Phenicians were the chief traders in Palestine, and the name Canaan came to be used for merchant. It is scarcely actual Canaanites that are referred to here; already in Hos 12:7 the term Canaan is applied figuratively to Ephraim, and in Eze 16:29; Eze 17:4, Chaldea is called the “land of Canaan,” i.e. the merchant land. In Isa 23:8 the word Canaan seems to be used in the plur., and certainly in a figurative sense: “her (Tyre’s) traffickers are the honourable of the earth.” In Pro 31:24 the form Canaanite is used for merchant, and so perhaps Job 41:6 (Heb. 40:30).

are cut down ] R.V. are undone, as Isa 6:5; the word is usually rendered cut off, Hos 10:7; Hos 10:15.

All they that bear silver ] Or, money. The reference is not to the trade of silversmiths, but rather to merchants in general.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh – Literally, Mortar , in which, Jerome says, corn is pounded; a hollow vessel, and fit for the use of medical men, in which properly ptisans are wont to be beaten (or made). Striking is it, that Scripture saith not, who dwell in the valley or in the alley, but who dwell in the mortar, because as corn, when the pestle striketh, is bruised, so the army of the enemy shall rush down upon you (Jerome). The place intended is probably so much of the valley of the Tyropoeon, which intersected Jerusalem from north to south, as was enclosed by the second wall, on the north, and the first wall on the south. The valley extended as far as the fountain of Siloam, and united with the valley of Jehoshaphat a little below Ophel. It was full of houses, and, from its name as well as from its situation, it was probably the scene of petty merchandise, where the occasions in which men could and did break the law and offend God, were the more continual, because they entered into their daily life, and were a part of it. The sound of the pestle was continually heard there; another sound should thereafter be heard, when they should not bruise, but be themselves bruised. The name Maktesh was probably chosen to express how their false hopes, grounded on the presence of Gods temple among them while by their sins they profaned it, should be turned into true fears. They had been and thought themselves Mikdash, a holy place,. sanctuary; they should be Maktesh , wherein all should be utterly bruised in pieces.

Jerome: Whoso considereth the calamities of that siege, and how the city was pressed and hemmed in, will feel how aptly he calls them the inhabitants of a mortar; for, as grains of corn are brought together into a mortar, to the end that, when the pestle descendeth, being unable to fly off, they may be bruised, so the people flowing together, out of all the countries of Judaea, was narrowed in by a sudden siege, and through the savage cruelty of the above leaders of the sedition, was unutterably tortured from within, more than by the enemy without.

For all the merchant people are cut down – (Literally, the people of Canaan) that is Ch.: they who in deeds are like the people of Canaan, according to that , Thou art of Canaan and not of Judah, and, Thy father is an Amorite and thy mother a Hittite . So our Lord says to the reprobate Jews, Ye are of your father the devil Joh 8:44.

All they that bear silver are cut off – (Literally, all laden with). The silver, wherewith they lade themselves, being gotten amiss, is a load upon them, weighing them down until they are destroyed.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 11. Maktesh] Calmet says this signifies a mortar, or a rock in form of a mortar, and was the name of a quarter of Jerusalem where they hulled rice, corn, &c., according to St. Jerome. Some think the city of Jerusalem is meant, where the inhabitants should be beat and pounded to death as grain is pounded in a mortar.

Newcome translates it, the lower city, and considers it the valley in Jerusalem, which divided the upper from the lower city.

They that bear silver] The merchants, moneychangers, usurers, rich men.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

Howl, cry aloud, and bitterly,

ye inhabitants of Maktesh: some read it appellatively: the mortar in which of old, before the corn-mill was known and used, they did pound and beat their corn for bread; they also pounded spices. Others say it is the lower town, or valley of Cedron in Jerusalem, a deep valley that surrounded the mountain of the temple, to which, fancied like a deep mortar, they gave the name Maktesh.

All the merchant people; who were wont either to lodge in this place when they came to trade, or, if Jewish merchants, dwelt there, which was much to the advantage of the place; but now, by the invasion of the land, and by the siege, all trade is cut off, and many merchants either slain or made slaves.

All they that bear silver, that brought it with them to pay for what they bought up, and so enriched the inhabitants of this Maktesh, all that traded and paid ready money,

are cut off. Others say the money-changers or bankers are here meant by them that bear silver, persons that furnished all sorts of people with silver for goods laid to pledge or bartered.

Are cut off, i.e. shall be as surely as if it were already done.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

11. Makteshrather, “themortar,” a name applied to the valley of Siloam from its hollowshape [JEROME]. The valleybetween Zion and Mount Olivet, at the eastern extremity of MountMoriah, where the merchants dwelt. Zec14:21, “The Canaanite,” namely, merchant [ChaldeeVersion]. The Tyropoeligon (that is, cheese-makers’)valley below Mount Akra [ROSENMULLER].Better Jerusalem itself, so called as lying in the midst ofhills (Isa 22:1; Jer 21:13)and as doomed to be the scene of its people being destroyed as cornor drugs are pounded in a mortar (Pr27:22) [MAURER].Compare the similar image of a “pot” (Eze 24:3;Eze 24:6). The reason for thedestruction is subjoined, namely, its merchant people’sgreediness of gain.

all the merchantpeopleliterally, the “Canaanite people”: irony: allthe merchant people of Jerusalem are very Canaanites in greedfor gain and in idolatries (see on Ho12:7).

all . . . that bearsilverloading themselves with that which will prove but aburden (Hab 2:6).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh,…. The name of a street in Jerusalem, as Aben Ezra; perhaps it lay low in the hollow of the city, and in the form of a mortar, from whence it might have its name, as the word q signifies; which is used both for a hollow place and for a mortar, Jud 15:19 unless it might be so called from such persons dwelling in it, that used mortars for spice, and other things. The Targum is,

“howl, all ye that dwell in the valley of Kidron;”

and Jerom thinks the valley of Siloah is intended, which is the same; which, Adrichomius r says, was broad, deep, and dark, and surrounded the temple in manner of a foss, or ditch; and was disposed in the form of a mortar, called in Hebrew “machtes”; in Latin, “pila”; in which merchants and tradesmen of all kinds dwelt. It is thought by others to be the same which Josephus s calls “the valley of the cheese mongers”, which lay between the two hills Zion and Acra. The reason of their howling is,

for all the merchant people are cut down; either cut to pieces by the sword of the enemy, and become silent, as the word t sometimes signifies, and the Vulgate Latin version here renders it; become so by death, and laid in the silent grave, and no more concerned in merchandise; or else stripped of all their wealth and goods by the enemy, and so cut down, broke, and become bankrupt, and could trade no more. The word for merchant signifies a Canaanite; and the Targum paraphrases it thus,

“for all the people are broken, whose works are like the works of the people of the land of Canaan:”

all they that bear silver are cut off; that have large quantities of it, and carry it to market to buy goods with it as merchants; these shall be cut off, and so a great loss to trade, and a cause of howling and lamentation; or such that wear it in their garments, embroidered with it; or rather in their purses, who are loaded with this thick clay, abound with it. The Targum is,

“all that are rich in substance shall be destroyed.”

q “mortarii”, Vatablus, Tigurine version; “cavi”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator “loci concavi”, Calvin. r Theatrum Terrae Sanctae, p. 163. s De Bello Jud. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 1. t “conticuit”, V. L. “in silentium redactus est”, Drusius.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

The Prophet addresses the merchants here who inhabited the middle part of the city, and hence thought themselves farther off from all danger and trouble. As then they were concealed as it were in their hiding-places, they thought that no danger was nigh them; and thus security blinded them the more. After having spoken of the king’s palace and of the princes and their servants, Zephaniah now turns his discourse to the merchants.

And he calls them the inhabitants of the hollow place, מכתש, mecatesh. The verb כתש, catash, means to be hollow; hence the Hebrews call a hollow place מכתש, mecatesh. So Solomon calls a mortar by this name, because it is hollow: (79) and we learn also from other parts of scripture that the word means sometimes either a cavern or some low place. But we know that merchants have for the most part their streets on level ground, and it is for their advantage, as they have goods to carry. It may then have been, that at Jerusalem there was a large company of merchants in that part of the city, which was in its situation low. But they who regard it as a proper name, bring nothing either of reason or probability to confirm their opinion: and it is also evident from the context that merchants are here addressed, for cut off, he says, is the mercantile people. The word כנען, canon, means a merchant. Some think that the Jews are here, as often elsewhere, called Canaan, because they were become degenerate, and more like the Canaanites than the holy fathers, from whom they descended. (80) But the Prophet speaks here no doubt of merchants, for an explanation immediately follows, all who are laden with money. And he says that merchants were laden with money, because they would not transact business without making payments and counting money, and also, because merchants for the most part engrossed by their gainful arts a great portion of the wealth of the world.

We now then understand what the Prophet means: He threatens howling to the merchants, who were concealed in their hidden places, for they occupied that part of the city, as I have already said, which was below the hills; and he then makes use of the word כנען, canon, a trafficker; and lastly he speaks of their wealth, as it is probable that they became rich through frauds and most dishonest means, and shows that their money would be useless to them, for they would find in it no defense, when the Lord extended his hand to punish them. It now follows—

(79) This original meaning of the word is much more probable than what lexicographers generally give. The braying or pounding is evidently derived from the noun, and the noun from the form of the mortar. Most agree that the word here means the lower part of the city—the hollow, from the circumstance of being surrounded by hills. The “hills” were those on which a part of the city was built, such as Zion, Moriah and Ophal.— Ed.

(80) This opinion has been entertained, because the Jews are so called in Hos 12:8. That the word means a trader or merchant is evident from Job 41:6, (in the Hebrew Bibles, 40:30;) Isa 23:8; Eze 17:4. In the last passage it is rendered “traffic” in our version; and it may be so rendered here—“all the people of traffic,” or of trade. The version of Newcome is, “all the trafficking people.” The verse may be thus literally rendered,—

Howl ye, the inhabitants of the lower part, For reduced to silence have been all the people of trade, Cut off have been all the laden with silver.

They are called to howl, as though their calamity had already taken place, a mode of speaking often used by the Prophets. That the event was future is clear from the context, especially from the next verse. “Reduced to silence”—[ נדמה ], is literally the meaning, not “destroyed;” and appropriate is the term, as people of trade create much bustle and noise. “The laden with silver,” may be rendered, as Newcome does, “the bearers of silver:” and silver is here for money.— Ed.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

(11) Maktesh.Better, the mortar, a term indicating probably some part of the city lying in a hollow: perhaps that part which was in the valley of Tyropon. This quarter is described by Josephus as full of houses (B.J. V. iv. 1). Hence some detect in the name mortar an allusion to the noisy din of the commerce here conducted. The name occurs here only. Some suppose that it is a term coined by Zephaniah, to signify how everything in Jerusalem should be bruised to pieces as in a mortar.

Merchant people.Literally, people of Canaan, a phrase used elsewhere for traders and merchants, and therefore not to be restricted to its original signification here.

All they that bear silver.Literally, all they that are laden with silver. Another mode of designating this commercial class.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

11. Maktesh This must be another portion of the city. The context suggests that it was the quarter of the merchants, but its location is uncertain; it is not improbable, however, that it also should be looked for in the northern part of Jerusalem. Targum reads “in the ravines of the Kidron,” but that is purely a guess. The noun means “depression” (Jdg 15:19) or “mortar” (Pro 27:22); hence it is probable that some valley or depression in the city is referred to. Most writers think of the northern end of the Tyropoeon valley. The name may have been selected because of its suggestiveness; the inhabitants are to be crushed as in a mortar.

The merchant people Literally, the people of Canaan; but the interpretation embodied in the translation of A.V. is correct (see on Hos 12:7).

They that bear silver R.V., “they that were laden with silver,” that is, possessed silver in large quantities. The reference is to the rich merchants.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

The Extent of the Judgment

v. 11. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, meaning the mortar, a small section of Jerusalem, so called because it presented a depression or hollow, for all the merchant people are cut down, entirely destroyed; all they that bear silver, the traders laden with silver, who occupied that part of the lower city, are cut off.

v. 12. And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with candles, investigating even the dark and hidden corners, so that not one of the wrong-doers is overlooked, and punish the men that are settled on their lees, like old wine which is not drawn off, a fit picture of moral and religious indifference, Jer 48:11, that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil, that is, there is no need of worry, matters will go on as they always have been.

v. 13. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, to be robbed by the enemies, and their houses a desolation, in the overthrow of the city; they shall also build houses, but not Inhabit them, the destruction taking place before they can move into them, and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof. Cf Amo 5:11; Mic 6:15.

v. 14. The great day of the Lord, the day of His mighty judgment, is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, there will be no further delay, even the voice of the day of the Lord, or, “Hark! the day of Jehovah”; the mighty man shall cry there bitterly, the hero crying in bitter lamentation, because he cannot save himself, and must yield to the power of the foe.

v. 15. That day is a day of wrath, Cf Isa 19:18, a day of trouble and distress, of anguish and pressure, Job 15:24, a day of wasteness and desolation, of the greatest devastation, a day of darkness and gloominess, Joe 2:2, a day of clouds and thick darkness, Deu 4:11,

v. 16. a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, in proclaiming God’s power upon a sinful people, in the war-signal of desolation, and against the high towers, the battlements of the forts.

v. 17. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, groping about in a futile effort to escape from existing evils, because they have sinned against the Lord; and their blood shall be poured out as dust, in endless quantities, and their flesh as the dung, which is not regarded.

v. 18. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them In the day of the Lord’s wrath, they would not be able to buy themselves off when His fury is once set in motion; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, His indignation jealous for His honor; for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land, consuming them with a suddenness which they had not anticipated. Even so will the Day of Judgment come upon a world which, as a whole, is not prepared for the Lord’s last advent. Cf Mat 24:44

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

Zep 1:11. Maktesh This may be interpreted, says Houbigant, rock; what follows points out the place of the city where the merchants and silversmiths lived, and which perhaps was so named from a certain rock that was situated there. Instead of, All they that bear silver, Houbigant reads, All they that are loaded with silver.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Zep 1:11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

Ver. 11. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh ] Or, of the mortar, or of the low and hollow place, of the base town, where grain was ground in mortars, before mills were in use. These are here called upon to “turn their laughter to mourning, and their joy into heaviness, to weep and howl for the evils that shall come upon them,” Jas 4:9 ; Jas 5:1 , but especially for their sins, the cause of those miseries; for God’s judgments upon sinners are feathered from themselves: as a fowl shot with an arrow feathered from her own body.

For all the merchant people are cut down ] The merchant men were wont to furnish the mortar men, such as dealt in grain, spicery, and the like. These shall be cut down, as being more like Canaanites (a people devoted to destruction) than Israelites, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of their help, and the sword of their excellency, Deu 33:29 . See Hos 12:13 . See Trapp on “ Hos 12:13 “ He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand, he loveth to oppress, see Amo 8:5-6 Mic 6:10-12 . Merchandise well managed is of great use to kingdoms and states, for many reasons. 1. For determining the counsels and strength of other nations. 2. For procuring the love and friendship of foreign princes and people. 3. For exchanging of commodities; for non omnis fert omnia tellus. not everything is born from all ground. 4. For gaining experience of many and great matters; this caused Thales, Hippocrates, and Solon to exercise merchandise. 5. It occasioned the building of many famous cities: Massilia for one, as Plutarch writeth. Nevertheless this honourable profession is much abused by those whom Nahum calleth cankerworms, Nah 3:16 , for their covetousness, luxury, oppression, bringing in unnecessary wars (that emasculate and dissolve men’s spirits), and heretical books that undo their souls; and, lastly, for their carrying out the wealth of their country to strangers, yea, to enemies sometimes. Hence they are justly cut down by God, and are to be ordered by the magistrates according to Lev 19:35-36 Deu 25:15 Eze 45:9-12 .

All they that bear silver are cut off ] The rich traders, that had marsupia plena full purse, and carried money in great burdens, these shall be also cut off or silenced, have nothing to say for themselves why they should not be destroyed with the rest, as those that have been involuti argento, as the Vulgate translation hath it here, so wrapped up in their money, and affected to it, as that it hath rather possessed them than they it. Cor habent in aere non in aethere, “their heart goeth after their covetousness,” Eze 33:31 . Here they are called portatores argenti, silver carriers, sumpter horses, laden with thick clay. Silver is that which the basest element yieldeth, the most savage Indians get, servile apprentices work, Midianitish camels carry, miserable muck worms admire, covetous Jews swallow, unthirsty ruffians spend. It is to be wondered (saith one) that treading upon these minerals we cannot condemn them. They lie furthest from heaven; and the best of them are in India, furthest from the Church; and yet how many doth money make to run quick to the devil on an errand, and pays them home for their pains?

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Maktesh = the mortar. Probably the local name of the merchants’ quarter in the Tyropoeon valley, west of Zion. App-68. So called from its basin-like shape.

cut down = laid low.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Maktesh

Lit. The Mortar, a depression in Jerusalem where the bazaars were.

Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes

Howl: Jer 4:8, Jer 25:34, Eze 21:12, Joe 1:5, Joe 1:13, Zec 11:2, Zec 11:3, Jam 5:1

all the: Neh 3:31, Neh 3:32, Hos 12:7, Hos 12:8, Joh 2:16, Rev 18:11-18

Reciprocal: Jer 18:22 – a cry Jer 30:5 – a voice Jer 47:2 – then the Eze 30:2 – Howl Zep 1:18 – their silver Rev 2:23 – and all

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zep 1:11. Maktesh was a spot in Jerusalem that was evidently a commercial center. The traffic had become quite estionable and the merchants were to be punished for it which is the reason they are told to howl.

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary

1:11 Howl, ye inhabitants of {g} Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

(g) This is meant of the street of the merchants which was lower than the rest of the place around it.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes

Zephaniah called the inhabitants of the Mortar, the market or business district of Jerusalem, to wail because judgment was coming. This section of Jerusalem may have received the name "mortar" (bowl) because it lay in the somewhat geographically depressed Tyropoeon Valley. The Canaanites who did business there would fall silent because business would cease. Those who weighed silver as they conducted commercial transactions would also perish from the city.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)