CHAPTER 2 YHWH'S JUDGMENT WILL ALSO COME ON THE SURROUNDING NATIONS FOR THEIR SINS. A Final Plea to Judah and Jerusalem (Zephaniah 2:1). Zephaniah 2:1 “Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O nation which has no shame (or ‘is not longed for'), Before the decree brings forth, The da... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PHILISTINES (ZEPHANIAH 2:4). Zephaniah 2:4 ‘For Gaza will be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation. They will drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron will be rooted up. Woe to the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites. The word of YHWH is against you, O Canaan, the land o... [ Continue Reading ]
MOAB AND AMMON (ZEPHANIAH 2:8). Zephaniah 2:8 “I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the revilings of the children of Ammon, With which they have reproached my people, And magnified themselves against their border.” Judgment is to come on Moab and Ammon, not only because of their sinfulness, b... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ETHIOPIANS (ZEPHANIAH 2:12). Zephaniah 2:12 “You Ethiopians also, you will be slain by my sword.” This brief reference takes us by surprise. The Ethiopians (Cushi) would probably be the furthest nation south known to Zephaniah. But we would have expected more comment. This suggests that rathe... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ASSYRIANS (ZEPHANIAH 2:13). Zephaniah 2:13 ‘And he will stretch out his hand against the north, And destroy Assyria, And he will make Nineveh a desolation, And dry like the wilderness. And herds will lie down in the midst of her, All the beasts of the nations, Both the tawny owl (qa'ath)... [ Continue Reading ]