{"commentary":{"id":"jamieson-fausset-brown","name":"Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary","website":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamieson-Fausset-Brown_Bible_Commentary","licenseUrl":"https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/","licenseNotes":null,"licenseNotice":null,"englishName":"Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary","language":"eng","textDirection":"rtl","sha256":"db3d4c8b3c1f32ef9d1430a57392e02bda3a17aac1f9bbe398461de021a3cb13","availableFormats":["json"],"listOfBooksApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/books.json","listOfProfilesApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/profiles.json","numberOfBooks":66,"totalNumberOfChapters":1187,"totalNumberOfVerses":17056,"totalNumberOfProfiles":0,"languageName":"English","languageEnglishName":"English"},"book":{"id":"ZEP","commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","name":"Zephaniah","commonName":"Zephaniah","introduction":"ZEPHANIAH, ninth in order of the minor prophets, prophesied \"in the days of Josiah\" (Zep 1:1), that is, between 642 and 611 B.C. The name means \"Jehovah hath guarded,\" literally, \"hidden\" (Psa 27:5; Psa 83:3). The specification in the introductory heading, of not only his father, but also his grandfather, and great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, implies that the latter were persons of note, or else the design was to distinguish him from another Zephaniah of note at the time of the captivity. The Jews' supposition, that persons recorded as a prophet's ancestors were themselves endowed with the prophetic spirit, seems groundless. There is no impossibility of the Hezekiah, who was Zephaniah's great-great-grandfather, being King Hezekiah as to the number of generations; for Hezekiah's reign of twenty-nine years, and his successor's reign of fifty-five years, admit of four generations interposing between. Yet the omission of the designation, \"king of Judah,\" is fatal to the theory (compare Pro 25:1; Isa 38:9).\n\nHe must have flourished in the earlier part of Josiah's reign. In Zep 2:13-15 rhe foretells the doom of Nineveh, which happened in 625 B.C.; and in Zep 1:4 he denounces various forms of idolatry, and specially that of Baal. Now Josiah's reformation began in the twelfth and was completed in the eighteenth year of his reign. Zephaniah, therefore, in denouncing Baal worship, co-operated with that good king in his efforts, and so must have prophesied somewhere between the twelfth and eighteenth years of his reign. The silence of the historical books is no argument against this, as it would equally apply against Jeremiah's prophetical existence at the same time. Jewish tradition says that Zephaniah had for his colleagues Jeremiah, whose sphere of labor was the thoroughfares and market places, and Huldah the prophetess, who exercised her vocation in the college in Jerusalem. The prophecy begins with the nation's sin and the fearful retribution coming at the hands of the Chaldeans. These are not mentioned by name, as in Jeremiah; for the prophecies of the latter, being nearer the fulfilment, become more explicit than those of an earlier date. The second chapter dooms the persecuting states in the neighborhood as well as Judea itself. The third chapter denounces Jerusalem, but concludes with the promise of her joyful re-establishment in the theocracy.\n\nThe style, though not generally sublime, is graphic and vivid in details (compare Zep 1:4-12). The language is pure, and free from Aramaisms. There are occasional coincidences with former prophets (compare Zep 2:14, with Isa 34:11; Zep 2:15, with Isa 47:8; Zep 3:10, with Isa 18:1; Zep 2:8, with Isa 16:6; also Zep 1:5, with Jer 8:2; Zep 1:12, with Jer 48:11). Such coincidences in part arise from the phraseology of Hebrew prophetic poetry being the common language of the inspired brotherhood. The New Testament, at Rom 15:6, seems to refer to Zep 3:9. \n\n\n\nNext: Zephaniah Chapter 1\n\n","order":36,"numberOfChapters":3,"sha256":"e354334a74c93028105a878735bb4c6f97358736dfa7659cea227f79cce72688","firstChapterNumber":1,"firstChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/ZEP/1.json","firstChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"ZEP","chapter":1},"lastChapterNumber":3,"lastChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/ZEP/3.json","lastChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"ZEP","chapter":3},"totalNumberOfVerses":50},"chapter":{"number":2,"content":[{"type":"verse","number":2,"content":["Before the decree bring forth--that is, Before God's decree against you announced by me (Zep. 1:1-18) have its fulfilment. As the embryo lies hid in the womb, and then emerges to light in its own due time, so though God for a time hides His vengeance, yet He brings it forth at the proper season. \n\nbefore the day pass as the chaff--that is, before the day for repentance pass, and with it you, the ungodly, pass away as the chaff (Job 21:18; Psa 1:4). MAURER puts it parenthetically, \"the day (that is, time) passes as the chaff (that is, most quickly).\" CALVIN, \"before the decree bring forth\" (the predicted vengeance), (then) the chaff (the Jews) shall pass in a day, that is, in a moment, though they thought that it would be long before they could be overthrown. English Version is best; the latter clause being explanatory of the former, and so the before being understood, not expressed.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":3,"content":["As in Zep 2:1 (compare Note, see on Zep 1:12) he had warned the hardened among the people to humble themselves, so now he admonishes \"the meek\" to proceed in their right course, that so they may escape the general calamity (Psa 76:9). The meek bow themselves under God's chastisements to God's will, whereas the ungodly become only the more hardened by them. \n\nSeek ye the Lord--in contrast to those that \"sought not the Lord\" (Zep 1:6). The meek are not to regard what the multitudes do, but seek God at once. \n\nhis judgment--that is, law. The true way of \"seeking the Lord\" is to \"work judgment,\" not merely to be zealous about outward ordinances. \n\nseek meekness--not perversely murmuring against God's dealings, but patiently submitting to them, and composedly waiting for deliverance. \n\nit may be ye shall be hid-- (Isa 26:20; Amo 5:6). This phrase does not imply doubt of the deliverance of the godly, but expresses the difficulty of it, as well that the ungodly may see the certainty of their doom, as also that the faithful may value the more the grace of God in their case (Pe1 4:17-19) [CALVIN]. Compare Kg2 25:12.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":4,"content":["For--He makes the punishment awaiting the neighboring states an argument why the ungodly should repent (Zep 2:1) and the godly persevere, namely, that so they may escape from the general calamity. \n\nGaza shall be forsaken--In the Hebrew there is a play of similar sounds, Gaza Gazubah; Gaza shall be forsaken, as its name implies. So the Hebrew of the next clause, Ekron teeakeer. \n\nat the noonday--when on account of the heat Orientals usually sleep, and military operations are suspended (Sa2 4:5). Hence an attack at noon implies one sudden and unexpected (Jer 6:4-5; Jer 15:8). \n\nEkron--Four cities of the Philistines are mentioned, whereas five was the normal number of their leading cities. Gath is omitted, being at this time under the Jews' dominion. David had subjugated it (Ch1 18:1). Under Joram the Philistines almost regained it (Ch2 21:16), but Uzziah (Ch2 26:6) and Hezekiah (Kg2 18:8) having conquered them, it remained under the Jews. Amo 1:6; Zac 9:5-6; Jer 25:20, similarly mention only four cities of the Philistines.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":5,"content":["inhabitants of the seacoast--the Philistines dwelling on the strip of seacoast southwest of Canaan. Literally, the \"cord\" or \"line\" of sea (compare Jer 47:7; Eze 25:16). \n\nthe Cherethites--the Cretans, a name applied to the Philistines as sprung from Crete (Deu 2:23; Jer 47:4; Amo 9:7). Philistine means \"an emigrant.\" \n\nCanaan . . . land of the Philistines--They occupied the southwest of Canaan (Jos 13:2-3); a name which hints that they are doomed to the same destruction as the early occupants of the land.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":6,"content":["dwellings and cottages for shepherds--rather, \"dwellings with cisterns\" (that is, water-tanks dug in the earth) for shepherds. Instead of a thick population and tillage, the region shall become a pasturage for nomad shepherds' flocks. The Hebrew for \"dug cisterns,\" Ceroth, seems a play on sounds, alluding to their name Cherethites (Zep 2:5): Their land shall become what their national name implies, a land of cisterns. MAURER translates, \"Feasts for shepherds' (flocks),\" that is, one wide pasturage.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":7,"content":["remnant of . . . Judah--those of the Jews who shall be left after the coming calamity, and who shall return from exile. \n\nfeed thereupon--namely, in the pastures of that seacoast region (Zep 2:6). \n\nvisit--in mercy (Exo 4:31).\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":8,"content":["I have heard--A seasonable consolation to Judah when wantonly assailed by Moab and Ammon with impunity: God saith, \"I have heard it all, though I might seem to men not to have observed it because I did not immediately inflict punishment.\" \n\nmagnified themselves--acted haughtily, invading the territory of Judah (Jer 48:29; Jer 49:1; compare Zep 2:10; Psa 35:26; Oba 1:12).\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":9,"content":["the breeding of nettles--or, the overspreading of nettles, that is, a place overrun with them. \n\nsalt pits--found at the south of the Dead Sea. The water overflows in the spring, and salt is left by the evaporation. Salt land is barren (Jdg 9:45; Psa 107:34, Margin). \n\npossess them--that is, their land; in retribution for their having occupied Judah's land.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":10,"content":["(Compare Zep 2:8). \n\ntheir pride--in antithesis to the meek (Zep 2:3).\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":11,"content":["famish--bring low by taking from the idols their former fame; as beasts are famished by their food being withheld. Also by destroying the kingdoms under the tutelage of idols (Psa 96:4; Isa 46:1). \n\ngods of the earth--who have their existence only on earth, not in heaven as the true God. \n\nevery one from his place--each in his own Gentile home, taught by the Jews in the true religion: not in Jerusalem alone shall men worship God, but everywhere (Psa 68:29-30; Mal 1:11; Joh 4:21; Co1 1:2; Ti1 2:8). It does not mean, as in Isa 2:2; Mic 4:1-2; Zac 8:22; Zac 14:16 that they shall come from their several places to Jerusalem to worship [MAURER]. \n\nall . . . isles of . . . heathen--that is, all the maritime regions, especially the west, now being fulfilled in the gathering in of the Gentiles to Messiah.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":12,"content":["Fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar (God's sword, Isa 10:5) conquered Egypt, with which Ethiopia was closely connected as its ally (Jer 46:2-9; Eze 30:5-9). \n\nYe--literally, \"They.\" The third person expresses estrangement; while doomed before God's tribunal in the second person, they are spoken of in the third as aliens from God.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":13,"content":["Here he passes suddenly to the north. Nineveh was destroyed by Cyaxares and Nabopolassar, 625 B.C. The Scythian hordes, by an inroad into Media and thence in the southwest of Asia (thought by many to be the forces described by Zephaniah, as the invaders of Judea, rather than the Chaldeans), for a while interrupted Cyaxares' operations; but he finally succeeded. Arbaces and Belesis previously subverted the Assyrian empire under Sardanapalus (that is, Pul?),877 B.C.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":14,"content":["flocks--of sheep; answering to \"beasts\" in the parallel clause. Wide pastures for sheep and haunts for wild beasts shall be where once there was a teeming population (compare Zep 2:6). MAURER, needlessly for the parallelism, makes it \"flocks of savage animals.\" \n\nbeasts of the nations--that is, beasts of the earth (Gen 1:24). Not as ROSENMULLER, \"all kinds of beasts that form a nation,\" that is, gregarious beasts (Pro 30:25-26). \n\ncormorant--rather, the \"pelican\" (so Psa 102:6; Isa 34:11, Margin). \n\nbittern-- (Isa 14:23). MAURER translates, \"the hedgehog\"; HENDERSON, \"the porcupine.\" \n\nupper lintels--rather, \"the capitals of her columns,\" namely, in her temples and palaces [MAURER]. Or, \"on the pomegranate-like knops at the tops of the houses\" [GROTIUS]. \n\ntheir voice shall sing in the windows--The desert-frequenting birds' \"voice in the windows\" implies desolation reigning in the upper parts of the palaces, answering to \"desolation . . . in the thresholds,\" that is, in the lower. \n\nhe shall uncover the cedar work--laying the cedar wainscoting on the walls, and beams of the ceiling, bare to wind and rain, the roof being torn off, and the windows and doors broken through. All this is designed as a consolation to the Jews that they may bear their calamities patiently, knowing that God will avenge them.\n\n"]},{"type":"verse","number":15,"content":["Nothing then seemed more improbable than that the capital of so vast an empire, a city sixty miles in compass, with walls one hundred feet high, and so thick that three chariots could go abreast on them, and with fifteen hundred towers, should be so totally destroyed that its site is with difficulty discovered. Yet so it is, as the prophet foretold. \n\nthere is none beside me--This peculiar phrase, expressing self-gratulation as if peerless, is plainly adopted from Isa 47:8. The later prophets, when the spirit of prophecy was on the verge of departing, leaned more on the predictions of their predecessors. \n\nhiss--in astonishment at a desolation so great and sudden (Kg1 9:8); also in derision (Job 27:23; Lam 2:15; Eze 27:36).\n\n\n\n\nNext: Zephaniah Chapter 3\n\n"]}],"introduction":"EXHORTATION TO REPENT BEFORE THE CHALDEAN INVADERS COME. DOOM OF JUDAH'S FOES, THE PHILISTINES, MOAB, AMMON, WITH THEIR IDOLS, AND ETHIOPIA AND ASSYRIA. (Zep 2:1-15)\n\nGather yourselves--to a religious assembly, to avert the judgment by prayers (Joe 2:16) [GROTIUS]. Or, so as not to be dissipated \"as chaff\" (Zep 2:2). The Hebrew is akin to a root meaning \"chaff.\" Self-confidence and corrupt desires are the dissipation from which they are exhorted to gather themselves [CALVIN]. The foe otherwise, like the wind, will scatter you \"as the chaff.\" Repentance is the gathering of themselves meant. \n\nnation not desired--(Compare Ch2 21:20), that is, not desirable; unworthy of the grace or favor of God; and yet God so magnifies that grace as to be still solicitous for their safety, though they had destroyed themselves and forfeited all claims on His grace [CALVIN]. The Margin from Chaldee Version has, \"not desirous,\" namely of returning to God. MAURER and GESENIUS translate, \"Not waxing pale,\" that is, dead to shame. English Version is best.\n\n"},"thisChapterLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/ZEP/2.json","thisChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"ZEP","chapter":2},"nextChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/ZEP/3.json","nextChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"ZEP","chapter":3},"previousChapterApiLink":"/api/c/jamieson-fausset-brown/ZEP/1.json","previousChapterReference":{"commentaryId":"jamieson-fausset-brown","book":"ZEP","chapter":1},"numberOfVerses":14}