Bible Commentary

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, [that there shall be] the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and a howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills. 10. the fish gate ] The gate may have received its name from its vicinity to the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:10”

In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit. 9. those that leap on the threshold ] Rather: leap (or, spring) over the threshold. The priests of Dagon avoided treading on the threshold of his temple because the idol had … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:9”

And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. 8. I will punish the princes ] lit. visit upon the princes. The princes are the nobles, particularly those entrusted with judicial and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:8”

Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD [is] at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. 7. Hold thy peace Lord God ] lit. the Lord Jehovah. The divine name Jehovah was not pronounced in the synagogue reading, the word … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:7”

And them that are turned back from the LORD; and [those] that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him. 6. In this verse also one class of persons is described in two ways: those who have turned away from Jehovah and who do not seek Him. Comp. the prophet’s exhortation ch. Zep 2:2, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:6”

And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship [and] that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham; 5. Besides the priests who lead the false worship, the various classes of worshippers shall be swept away: (1) those that worship the host of heaven on the house-tops; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:5”

I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, [and] the name of the Chemarims with the priests; 4. The prophet turns to Judah and Jerusalem. Though the Day of the Lord was the revelation of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:4”

I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. 3. Zep 1:3 particularises the “all things” of Zep 1:2, cattle and fowl and fishes of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:3”

I will utterly consume all [things] from off the land, saith the LORD. Ch. Zep 1:2-7. The Universal Judgment of the Day of the Lord 2. from off the land ] from off the face of the ground, i.e. the earth, cf. Zep 1:3. The judgment is indiscriminate, all that lives shall be swept away. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:2”

The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. Chap. 1 The Title 1. The word unto Zephaniah ] The name Zephaniah means, He whom Jehovah has … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Zephaniah 1:1”