Zephaniah 1:1-3:20
v. 1 Word of the LORD…came – This refers to the prophetic calling placed upon the life of Zephaniah.
Hezekiah – Hezekiah was one of the most righteous kings in Judah's history (1 Kings 18-20, 2 Chron. 29-32, Is. 36-39). Zephaniah is a descendent of the great king, but not through the royal line.
Josiah – Along with Hezekiah, Josiah is regarded as one of the greatest kings in Judah's history. His rule marked a period of national repentance and revival, and saw the refurbishment of God's Temple, the rediscovery of God's Law, and the reestablishment of the observance of the Passover. Josiah was also faithful to tear down idols and shrines to false gods erected under the reigns of previous kings (2 Kings 22-23:30, 2 Chron. 34-35).
In the days of – In spite of Josiah's righteous reforms, many of the prophecies Zephaniah would deliver were proclamations of judgment upon the land. God's plan to judge the nation of Judah had been set in motion when Hezekiah and the wicked King Manasseh held authority over Israel and, although it would be postponed on account of Josiah's faithfulness, could not be postponed indefinitely (Is. 39, 2 Kings 24:3).
Amon – Josiah's father, Amon was one of the wicked kings of Judah and was assassinated by his own servants (2 Kings 21:19-26, 2 Chron. 33:21-25).
v. 2 Utterly consume – Literally, in the Hebrew this should read, "I will make a complete end." This along with most of Zephaniah's prophecies, are speaking of the judgment that God would bring upon Judah, when the Babylonians would invade Judah and carry her people into captivity, destroying the walls of the city of Jerusalem and decimating the Temple of God (2 Kings 24-25, 2 Chron. 23:5-21).
v. 3 Man and beast…birds…fish – The Lord is speaking of the scope of Judah's devastation, by pointing out that the entire ecosystem will be thrown into disarray by the invading Babylonians. It will not just be men that die in this judgment.
Stumbling blocks – This is referring to idols. The idols drew away the hearts of the men from the Lord, thus they are described as stumbling blocks, or things that cause people to trip.
Cut off…face of the land – The people would be utterly removed from the land during the Babylonian invasion. Here, as is common, the Lord is speaking with a measure of hyperbole, as a few of the very impoverished would remain in the land after the Babylonian invasion, but the vast majority of the people would be removed.
v. 4 Stretch out my hand – This phrase calls to mind the picture of a general stretching his arm out against his enemies and calling his armies to move forward and attack. It is often used as a picture of judgment, as God stretches out his arm and commands his armies to move forward and attack his enemies.
Baal – Technically this term means "Lord" and was most commonly used of the Canaanite god Hadad. The people of Syria and Phoenicia came to think of Hadad's name as too holy to speak and substitute the term "Lord" or "Baal" in its place. This term here is used to speak of all idolatry in the land.
Trace – There will not be even the slightest hint of Baal worship in the land of Judah after God effects his judgment on the land.
Pagan – This term is generally used to speak of people that worshipped false gods. Technically, it was not in the original Hebrew, but was added to help explain what kinds of priests would be judged.
Idolatrous…pagan priests – This is an example of parallelism, a literary tool commonly used by Hebrew writers in which the author repeats the same idea to emphasize a point. The prophetic writings frequently make use of this tool and is here driving home the point that all false worship in the land will end through God's judgment.
Host – The word "host" or "Sabaoth" in the Hebrew speaks of armies and is used metaphorically in this context to speak of the masses of the Sun, Moon, and stars, as they were frequently worshipped by pagan peoples. Here, the prophet is again using parallelism, speaking of the end of pagan worship in the land of Judah.
Housetops – It was common practice for pagans to go to high places in order to worship false gods. Generally speaking, they felt that the higher they went, the closer they were to their god. This is why many built temple shrines on the mountain tops and in the hills, and it is why many would go on the rooftops of their homes to worship their gods.
Also swear – These Jews did indeed worship the God of Israel, would take oaths in his name, and would nominally keep his Sabbaths and some of his Holy days, but, at the same time, they would worship the false gods commonly worshipped by the people of the surrounding nations.
Milcom – Also known as Moloch, this is an ancient Canaanite god that was often worshipped through the offering of children as burn offerings.
v. 6 Not sought the Lord…nor inquired – This speaks generally of those people that were not faithful to the God of Israel. Many think that a number of these prophecies were fulfilled by the King Josiah, who systematically destroyed the idols and shrines of the pagan gods, and put the pagan priests to death (2 Kings 23:3-7).
v. 7 Be silent – Here, the prophet is telling his hearers that they will not be able to make excuses for their sins. He is asserting that God is just in his judgment and that the people will not be able, nor will they be allowed to defend their actions. When the justice of God comes, everyone will know he is receiving his just desert (Rom. 3:19).
Day of the Lord – This is a general phrase that is used to speak of any judgment that God would bring upon a group of people (Jer. 46:10), but also points to the final and great "Day of the Lord" when God would judge the whole world with a final judgment (1 Thess. 5:2).
At hand – This is a metaphor implying that the judgments of which the prophet speaks would come to pass shortly.
Prepared a sacrifice…invited guests – In ancient times the offering of a sacrifice was always accompanied by the ritual enjoyment of a meal with friends and family. Here the Lord is describing his judgment as a sacrificial feast, in which his friends and family would be invited to participate.
Princes…king's children – Generally, this is referring to the fact that God's judgment would come upon the ruling class. It does however, have a very literal meaning as well, as the Babylonian armies would invade during the reigns of Josiah's three children and his grandson. Thus, the princes and the King's sons would specifically endure the judgment of which the prophet speaks.
Foreign apparel – The nobility of ancient Judah would adopt the clothing styles of many of the foreign nations and ignore God's frequent commands concerning dress as lain out in the Law. (Lev. 19:19, Num. 15:38) This term is simply used as a description of the nobility. It is telling us that God's judgment will come upon the nobility and the upper class.
v. 9 Leap over the threshold – This is referring to an ancient superstitious practice of some pagans. It probably is referring to a Philistine practice observed in honor of their god Dagon. When the Philistine's captured the Ark of the Covenant, the idol of Dagon on two successive nights fell down on the threshold of their temple, prostrate before the Ark of the Covenant. In honor of their god, the Philistines refused to cross the threshold of their temple out of fear that it would bring bad luck (1 Sam. 5:5) Perhaps idolatrous Israelites developed a similar practice.
Violence and deceit – This speaks generally of people that seek gain through dishonest means; trickery or extortion.
v. 10 Fish Gate – There were many gates in the walls surrounding Jerusalem, and the "Fish Gate" would refer to a northern gate where a well known fish market was established. The mention of this gate is to communicate to the Jews that their invaders will come from the North.
Second Quarter – This is an expansion of the city built under the King Hezekiah.
Hills – The Babylonian invaders would come swooping down on the city through the hills surrounding the city.
v. 11 Maktesh – This is a marketplace in Jerusalem. The references to these various areas, the Fish Gate, the Second Quarter, the Hills, and the marketplace, is given to let the reader know that the Babylonians will conquer and destroy every part of the city.
Merchant people…those who handle money – Having explained that every part of the city will be destroyed, the prophet now declares that nobody will be exempt from this judgment. Already he has said that the pagan priests, the princes, and the servants would experience God's judgment. He now points to the middle class merchants to round out his description of those that will suffer.
v. 12 Search Jerusalem with lamps – Here God is using a metaphor to describe his judgment. It's not that God actually needs to search for sinners; instead this implies that nobody will be able to hide from the judgment that is coming. God will seek out and punish everybody in the land.
Complacency…The Lord will not do good – The Lord here points out that the people of Judah do not believe that the Lord will actually judge the nation. They think that things will go on as they always have, and that they need not worry about the judgment that is to come.
v. 13 Goods – This refers to all of the valuables of the people.
Booty – These valuables will be taken by Babylonians soldiers as the spoils of war.
Build…plant – During the years leading up to the Babylonian invasion, the people will continue to work their property, build houses and grow crops, and grapes, but they will not be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor, because the Babylonians will destroy them before they get to enjoy them.
v. 14 Great day of the Lord – Although the prophet is still specifically talking of the eventual conquest of Judah at the hands of the Babylonians, his description of the judgments that follow foreshadow God's final judgment at the end of time, when he will pour out his wrath on all nations.
Near and hastens quickly – The key feature of God's judgment is its immanency. In describing it, the prophet desires to create a sense of urgency in the hearts of the people. This is true for us today as well as the Jews back then.
v. 15 Gloominess…clouds and thick darkness – These descriptions are given to inspire the hearer with a sense of dread and hopelessness that will come with God's judgment.
v. 16 Trumpet – The trumpet was used to direct armies in battle. Cities under attack would be stirred to fear by the sound of the trumpet blowing the advance as armies marched on the city. This sound caused great fear in those that heard the trumpet sound.
v. 17 Like blind men – The attacks upon them will come as a surprise and the people will become disoriented, incapable of organizing and defending themselves.
Blood like dust – This is a simile and a hyperbole. It means that the bloodshed will be so great that the blood will be like the dust in that it will cover the ground.
Refuse – This literally refers to dung and speaks of the fact that the dead flesh will reek like dung.
v. 18 Silver nor their gold – The Jews will not be able to pay off the Babylonians as a bribe to leave them alone.
Zephaniah 2
v. 1 Gather yourselves – The prophet is here calling upon the nation of Judah to assemble and make a decision as a nation to repent of their sins and turn to the Lord, in the hope that he might be merciful to them.
Undesirable – Unlike at the beginning of its history, when the Jews were entering a land flowing with milk and honey, their sins have ruined their land and by the end of God's judgments, there will be nothing desirable about their land.
v. 2 Before…seek the Lord – Here the prophet is warning the nation of Judah to repent and begin seeking the Lord before these judgments begin. If they wait until after these judgments begin, it will be too late.
Chaff – After wheat is harvested, the grain is separated from the stock through a process called winnowing. The chaff is what is left over and is usually burned. The prophet is warning that the opportunity to repent will soon be gone, just as the chaff is quickly burned in the fire.
Meek – This refers to those of a humble spirit, who are willing to recognize their sins and repent of them.
Upheld justice – This call is given to those few who have remained faithful to the Lord.
It may be that you will be hidden – This is an encouragement to those who are faithful to remain so, in the hopes that God might spare them the judgment that would come upon the whole land.
v. 4 Gaza…Askelon…Ashdod…Ekron – These are four of the principle cities of the Philistines, which would also be overran and conquered by the Babylonians.
v. 5 Seacoast…Cherethites…Philistines – Each of these terms is also used to speak of the Philistines, a people which inhabited the Gaza strip, a coastal region of the land of Canaan. In verses 4-5, the author uses parallelism to emphasize the judgment that would come upon these peoples.
Destroy... no inhabitant – Each of these Philistine cities would ultimately be destroyed during the Babylonian invasions around 600 BC.
v. 6 Shelters – This word connotes the idea of an underground cistern or dwelling.
Shepherds – The prophet is here pointing out that the once glorious cities of the Philistines will be so utterly destroyed that their territory will ultimately become pasture land for Shepherds.
v. 7 Remnant – This term is used to refer to those Jews that survived the Babylonian invasions.
Intervene…return their captives – This points out that, after bringing judgment on the land, God is going to bring the survivors of Judah back. This would happen after the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, when Cyrus decreed that the Jews should return to the land and rebuild the Temple (2 Chron. 36:22-23) The point of this verse is to contrast the Jews with the Philistines. Whereas the Philistines would be utterly destroyed and would never return to their land, the Jews would once again inhabit their land and would, in fact, control that which was once under Philistine control.
v. 8 Moab…Ammon – These two nations lay northeast of Israel and fought frequent wars with the Israelites over the course of their history.
Reproach…insults – These nations saw the affliction of Judah under the Babylonians and mocked them for it. Here God is telling them that they will suffer in like fashion.
v. 9 Sodom…Gomorrah – These cities were destroyed by fire and brimstone raining down from heaven, as a judgment from God on account of their great wickedness (Gen. 19:24-5) Moab and Ammon are compared to them, not because the judgment was the same, for these two countries were destroyed by the Babylonian armies, not by fire from the sky, but, because, as with Sodom and Gomorrah, the destruction of Moab and Ammon would be complete and final.
Overrun by weeds – Literally, this phrase means, "possessed by nettles" and implies that nobody would be able to plant crops there, for the land would be full of weeds.
Saltpits – It was common practice in antiquity for an invading army to pour salt in the fields of an enemy. The salt killed the soil and made the land useless for farming.
Perpetual desolation – To this day, the lands to the immediate northeast and east of Israel are non-arable lands. They are not useful for the production of crops and are not desirable for habitation.
Residue of my people – Again this is referring to the Jews that would survive the Babylonian conquests. Ironically, the Moabites and Ammonites, who mocked Judah in its misfortune, will be outlived by them, and the Jews would come to possess their lands.
v. 10 Pride…arrogant threats – God's judgment upon these peoples will come, in large part, because of the way they mocked the Jews in their misfortune. Their arrogance led them to miss the fact that the same thing could happen to them.
People of the Lord of hosts – In spite of God's judgment on Judah, he still considers them his people. He would not utterly forsake them (Lev. 26:44, Neh. 9:31).
v. 11 Awesome – This term means to inspire awe and fear. It speaks of the fact that these various peoples will know that the Lord has brought these judgments and they will stand in awe of him for it.
All the shores of the nations – It is not just Israel that will realize God's grandeur through these judgments, but all nations will come to know how great the God of Israel is through them.
v. 12 Ethiopians – This is most likely referring to Egypt, since the Egyptians ruled the northeast of Africa at this time. This seems to speak of the fact that Babylon would be victorious in battle against the Egyptians as well as the Jews, Philistines, Moabites, and Ammonites.
v. 13 Assyria – The Assyrian Empire was the great imperial power in the Middle East prior to the rise of Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian Empire. The Assyrians would ultimately be conquered by the Babylonians around 605 BC. This prophecy is speaking of the fact that the Babylonians would take control of the whole region.
Nineveh – This was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire and one of the greatest cities in the world.
v. 14 Herds shall lie down in her midst – This verse speaks of the utter ruin of Nineveh. It is pointing out that after the Babylonians and her allies are done fighting, no people will remain in the city, but it will be a dwelling place of animals.
Bittern – This is a species of bird.
He – This is referring to the Lord, who is the one that will ultimately bring this judgment upon Nineveh.
v. 15 Rejoicing city…dwelt securely – As with Moab and Ammon, the Ninevites did not believe that their destruction would come. They arrogantly assumed that things would continue for them as they always had.
Hiss and shake his fist – Just as Nineveh mocked the misfortunes of others, so too, people will see what happened to Nineveh and look on them with contempt.
Zephaniah 3
v. 1 Oppressing City – After describing God's judgment on these foreign nations at the hand of Babylon, the prophet again turns his attention to the nation of Judah. The city is described as "oppressive" on account of the sins of violence committed within the city, which went unpunished at the hands of unjust judges.
v. 3 Princes…roaring lions…judges…wolves – Those in positions of authority and entrusted with delivering judgment were using their authority as a means of gain through bribery and extortion, rather than delivering just judgments to the people. They are thus compared with lions and wolves, animals that are led by their stomachs and do not concern themselves with right and wrong.
v. 4 Prophets…insolent – Most prophets at this time prophesied falsely in telling people that they had nothing to fear from the judgment of God. They boldly encouraged Judah in her sins, and refused to speak the word of the Lord to the nation.
Sanctuary – the Temple of the Lord
Priests have polluted – The priests were not obeying the various laws concerning ritual observances in the Temple of God, but were purposely offering profane sacrifices in ways contrary to God's commands (1 Sam. 2:12-17, Eze. 22:26).
Violence – The Priests' refusal to obey God's commands in ministering in the Temple is described as a violent attack on God and his law.
v. 5 Justice – Unlike the unjust judges and rulers of Judah, God is just, and he will rectify the wrongs of the people.
Brings…to light – The complete lack of justice in judgment that the people were used to, might have led the people to think that there was no God, or that, if he did exist, he wasn't concerned with injustice. Here the prophet asserts that God will bring justice. It may seem delayed, but it will come.
Never fails…Unjust knows no shame – Here the prophet is contrasting the faithfulness of God, with the shameless lack of integrity displayed by the unjust. The judges and rulers of the land would go back upon their word, doing whatever profited them. God, on the other hand, will do everything he says.
v. 6 Nations – This is referring in general to nations that have been overthrown by the Lord. He is simply pointing to his ability to do whatever he desires with the peoples of the earth. Nobody can thwart his designs.
v. 7 I said – God here reminds his people of his faithfulness to warn people prior to judgment (the book of Jonah).
Rose early – This is a cultural idiom meaning that they diligently attended to doing their unrighteousness deeds. In essence, God is pointing out that the people that he judges were not making innocent mistakes. They were not misguided, deceived, or confused. They proactively sought to do wickedly.
v. 8 Therefore wait – God's judgment always comes suddenly and unexpectedly. People think that they're safe in their sin, and that if there is a God, he does not concern himself with their works. They think that things will go on as they always have. Here God is telling the Jews to wait, because although it may seem that judgment delays, it will come.
I rise up – This metaphor is often used in connection with God's judgment (Is. 14:22, 28:21). It contrasts the idea of sitting around and waiting with that of mobilizing to action.
Gather the nations…all nations – Here God tells his people that ultimately all nations are destined for judgment. Thus, this verse points to the final judgment to come at the end of time.
v. 9 Pure language – Literally this should be translated as "pure lips." Culturally the Jews identified the purification of one's mouth with the purification of the entire person (Is. 6:7). This passage indicates that God's judgment will culminate in the restoration of the righteous. His judgment is always succeeded by his salvation.
Call on the name – Here the action of calling upon the Lord for salvation is a phrase representative of the whole man turning to and following the Lord. The man with pure lips is able to call on the Lord, which means that the man that is purified will be able to serve the Lord with his whole being.
One accord – These passages seem to speak of the millennial reign of the Lord, which will be a thousand years of unparalleled peace and prosperity on the earth, in which Jesus Christ himself will reign in Jerusalem. This reign is described in more detail in Revelation 20:4-6.
v. 10 Beyond…Ethiopia – Ethiopia was the southernmost territory familiar to the Jews of this time. In saying that people will come from "beyond Ethiopia" Zephaniah is saying that people from the far reaches of the earth will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.
My dispersed ones – This is referring to those faithful to the Lord living across the face of the earth.
v. 11 Day – This is describing the general epoch of the Millennial Kingdom.
Not be shamed – This has a twofold meaning. First, the people will not be ashamed for the sins they committed, since those sins will have been forgiven them, and secondly, those sinners will be removed from the land so that these injustices would not again defile it.
v. 13 Remnant of Israel – After the judgments that will have been poured out on the Israelite people, God will spare many Jews and bring them into his Millennial Kingdom. Although Israel as a nation, has rejected Jesus Christ for the last two millennia, a remnant of them will turn to him at the end of time (Rom. 11:25-26). These will be brought into his Millennial Kingdom when it is established.
Speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue – Although this passage speaks specifically of lying and truthfulness, this is representative of righteousness as a whole. This indicates that sin will altogether be removed from Israel during this time.
Feed their flocks…no one shall make them afraid – The people of Israel will be completely at rest during this time and will have nothing to fear from enemies. They will be at peace as they tend their flocks and will not need to fear the work of the thief or the invading army.
v.15 Disaster no more – Although the first part of this book speaks of the Babylonian invasion, it is clear that the prophecies of chapter three are intended to be fulfilled long after those of chapter one, for Israel would continue to endure many great disasters after their judgment at the hands of Babylon. Once Christ institutes his millennial reign, however, they will no longer need to fear the judgment of God.
v. 17 Lord your God in your midst – God himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, will live in the midst of his people during the Millennial Kingdom.
Quiet – This speaks of putting fears and anxieties to rest.
v. 18 Gather – This is in contrast to the scattering of the peoples across the nations. Throughout Israel's history judgment involves a general removal from the land and a scattering across the nations, whereas salvation involves a gathering together and restoration to the land. This would happen after seventy years in Babylon and ultimately at the end of the age as well.
Appointed assembly – This refers to the assembling of the people for the purpose of worshipping the Lord in his Temple. This is saying that those that will be gathered and restored to the land are those that longed to worship the Lord in the assembly of his people.
Reproach – This speaks of the disgrace that the people of the Lord endured because of the destruction of the Temple.
v. 19 All who afflict – This is referring at once to the nations that afflicted Israel as well as to the wicked men within the city that afflicted the righteous.
Lame – This is referring to people that could not walk because of some kind of paralysis. God refers to these, because of the great affliction they suffered at the hands of those in power.
v. 20 Bring you back – As with "gathering," the bringing of the people back into the land is always associated with salvation. This could be speaking of Israel's return to the land under the Persian king Cyrus (Ezra 1), their return to the land in 1948, or the final salvation of the remnant at the end of time.
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2:3 Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger.
1 The word of the LORD which came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
Chapel Missions Arabian Penninsula