Zephaniah 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Gather yourselves - Others, sift yourselves. Separate the chaff from the wheat, before the judgments of God fall upon you. O nation not desired - unlovely, not delighted in; hated because of your sin. The Israelites are addressed.
Open source ↗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) Gather 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. nation 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.
Open source ↗Gather yourselves together This is said to the people of the Jews in general; that whereas the judgments of God were coming upon them, as predicted in the preceding chapter ( Zephaniah 1:1-18 ) , it was high time for them to get together, and consider what was to be done at such a juncture; it was right to call a solemn assembly, to gather the people, priests, and elders, together, to some one place, as Joel directs, ( Joel 1:14 ) ( Joel 2:15 Joel 2:16 ) the inhabitants of Jerusalem to the temple, and the people of the land to their respective synagogues, and there humble themselves before the Lord; confess their sins, and declare their repentance for them; and pray that God would show favour to them, and avert his wrath and judgments from them: or, "gather the straw" F25; from yourselves, and then gather it from others, as follows: or, "first adorn yourselves", and "then others", as in the Talmud F26; and the sense is the same with the words of Christ, "first cast out the beam out of thine own eye" ( Matthew 7:3-5 ) and the meaning of both is, first correct and amend yourselves, and then reprove others: this sense is given by the Jewish commentators, and is approved by Gussetius F1: or "search yourselves" F2; as some render the word; and that very diligently, as stubble is searched into, or any thing searched for in it; let the body of the people inquire among themselves what should be the cause of these things; what public sins prevailed among them, for which they were threatened with an utter destruction; and let everyone search into his own heart and ways, and consider how much he has contributed to the bringing down such sad calamities upon the nation: thus it became them to search and inquire into their state and circumstances of affairs, in a way of self-examinat…
Open source ↗Call to conversion. - Zep 2:1. "Gather yourselves together, and gather together, O nation that dost not grow pale. Zep 2:2. Before the decree bring forth (the day passes away like chaff), before the burning wrath of Jehovah come upon you, before the day of Jehovah's wrath come upon you. Zep 2:3. Seek Jehovah, all ye humble of the land, who have wrought His right; seek righteousness, seek humility, perhaps ye will be hidden in the day of Jehovah's wrath." The summons in Zep 2:1 is addressed to the whole of Judah or Israel. The verb qōshēsh, possibly a denom. from qash, signifies to gather stubble (Exo 5:7, Exo 5:12), then generally to gather together or collect, e.g., branches of wood (Num 15:32-33; Kg1 17:10); in the hithpoel, to gather one's self together, applied to that spiritual gathering which leads to self-examination, and is the first condition of conversion. The attempts of Ewald and Hitzig to prove, by means of doubtful etymological combinations from the Arabic, that the word possesses the meanings, to grow pale, or to purify one's self, cannot be sustained. The kal is combined with the hiphil for the purpose of strengthening it, as in Hab 1:5 and Isa 29:9. Nikhsâph is the perf. nipahl in pause, and not a participle, partly because of the לא which stands before it (see however Ewald, 286, g), and partly on account of the omission of the article; and nikhsâph is to be taken as a relative, "which does not turn pale." Kâsaph has the meaning "to long," both in the niphal (vid., Gen 31:30; Psa 84:3) and kal (cf. Psa 17:12; Job 14:15). This meaning is retained by many here. Thus Jerome renders it, "gens non amabilis, i.e., non desiderata a Deo;" but this is decidedly unsuitable. Others render it "not possessing strong desire," and appeal to the paraphrase of the…
Open source ↗Here we see what the prophet meant in that terrible description of the approaching judgments which we had in the foregoing chapter. From first to last his design was, not to drive the people to despair, but to drive them to God and to their duty - not to frighten them out of their wits, but to frighten them out of their sins. In pursuance of that he here calls them to repentance, national repentance, as the only way to prevent national ruin. Observe, I. The summons given them to a national assembly (Zep 2:1): Gather yourselves together. He had told them, in the last words of the foregoing chapter, that God would make a speedy riddance of all that dwelt in the land, upon which, one would think, it should follow, "Disperse yourselves, and flee for shelter where you can find a place." When the decree had absolutely gone forth for the last destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, that was the advice given (Mat 24:16), Then let those who are in Judea flee into the mountains; but here it is otherwise. God warns, that he may not wound, threatens, that he may not strike, and therefore calls to the people to use means for the turning away of his wrath. The summons is given to a nation not desired. The word signifies either, 1. Not desiring, that has not any desires towards God or the remembrance of his name, is not desirous of his favour or grace, but very indifferent to it, has no mind to repent and reform. "Yet come together, and see if you can stir up desires in one another." Thus God is often found of those that sought him not, nor asked for him, Isa 65:1. Or, 2. Not desirable, no ways lovely, nor having any thing in them amiable, or which might recommend them to God. The land of Israel had been a pleasant land, a land of delight (Dan 11:41); but now it is unlovely, it is a n…
Open source ↗2:1-3 In light of the horrifying spectacle he has described, Zephaniah calls on his nation to repent and humble themselves before God.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
קָשַׁשׁ (qâshash, H7197) — to forage for straw, stubble or wood; figuratively, to assemble גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… כָּסַף (kâçaph, H3700) — properly, to become pale, i.e. (by implication) to pine after; also to fear
Open source ↗חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… מֹץ (môts, H4671) — chaff (as pressed out, i.e. winnowed or (rather) threshed loose) לֹא (lôʼ, H3808) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Open source ↗בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָו (ʻânâv, H6035) — depressed (figuratively), in mind (gentle) or circumstances (needy, especially saintly) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity עֲנָוָה (ʻănâvâh, H6038) — condescension, human and subjective (modesty), or divine and objective (clemency) אוּלַי (ʼûwlay, H194) — if not; hence perhaps סָתַר (çâthar, H5641) — to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗עַזָּה (ʻAzzâh, H5804) — Azzah, a place in Palestine עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. אַשְׁקְלוֹן (ʼAshqᵉlôwn, H831) — Ashkelon, a place in Palestine שְׁמָמָה (shᵉmâmâh, H8077) — devastation; figuratively, astonishment גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce אַשְׁדּוֹד (ʼAshdôwd, H795) — Ashdod, a place in Palestine צֹהַר (tsôhar, H6672) — a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon עֶקְרוֹן (ʻEqrôwn, H6138) — Ekron, a place in Palestine עָקַר (ʻâqar, H6131) — to pluck up (especially by the roots); specifically, to hamstring; figuratively, to…
Open source ↗הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… כְּרֵתִי (Kᵉrêthîy, H3774) — a Kerethite or life-guardsman דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כְּנַעַן (Kᵉnaʻan, H3667) — Kenaan, a son a Ham; also the country inhabited by him אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Open source ↗יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… נָוֶה (nâveh, H5116) — (adjectively) at home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also (noun) a home,… כָּרָה (kârâh, H3741) — a meadow רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… גְּדֵרָה (gᵉdêrâh, H1448) — enclosure (especially for flocks) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Open source ↗חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… שְׁאֵרִית (shᵉʼêrîyth, H7611) — a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… אַשְׁקְלוֹן (ʼAshqᵉlôwn, H831) — Ashkelon, a place in Palestine רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שְׁבוּת (shᵉbûwth, H7622) — exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants גִּדּוּף (giddûwph, H1421) — vilification בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country חָרַף (châraph, H2778) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the…
Open source ↗חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants סְדֹם (Çᵉdôm, H5467) — Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country עֲמֹרָה (ʻĂmôrâh, H6017) — Amorah, a place in Palestine מִמְשָׁק (mimshâq, H4476) — a possession חָרוּל (chârûwl, H2738) — properly, pointed, i.e. a bramble or other thorny weed מִכְרֶה (mikreh, H4379) — a pit (for salt)
Open source ↗גָּאוֹן (gâʼôwn, H1347) — {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament} חָרַף (châraph, H2778) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth… גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten רָזָה (râzâh, H7329) — to emaciate, i.e. make (become) thin (literally or figuratively) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… אִי (ʼîy, H339) — properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight…
Open source ↗כּוּשִׁי (Kûwshîy, H3569) — a Cushite, or descendant of Cush הֵם (hêm, H1992) — they (only used when emphatic) חָלָל (châlâl, H2491) — pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or…
Open source ↗נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) אָבַד (ʼâbad, H6) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy) אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… נִינְוֵה (Nîynᵉvêh, H5210) — Nineveh, the capital of Assyria שְׁמָמָה (shᵉmâmâh, H8077) — devastation; figuratively, astonishment צִיָּה (tsîyâh, H6723) — aridity; concretely, a desert מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also…
Open source ↗עֵדֶר (ʻêder, H5739) — an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals) רָבַץ (râbats, H7257) — to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline,… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… קָאַת (qâʼath, H6893) — probably the pelican (from vomiting) קִפּוֹד (qippôwd, H7090) — a species of bird, perhaps the bittern (from its contracted form) לוּן (lûwn, H3885) — to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense)… כַּפְתֹּר (kaphtôr, H3730) — a chaplet; but used only in an architectonic sense, i.e. the capital of acolumn, or a… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound שִׁיר (shîyr, H7891) — to sing חַלּוֹן (challôwn, H2474) — a window (as perforated) חֹרֶב (chôreb, H2721) — drought or desolation סַף (çaph, H5592) — a vestibule (as a limit); also a dish (for holding blood or wine)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.
So the people of Judah gathered to seek the LORD, and indeed, they came from all the cities of Judah to seek Him.
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads.
At that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.
For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.
And in one month I dismissed three shepherds. My soul grew impatient with the flock, and their souls also detested me.