Zephaniah 2:8

Moab and Ammon

8. I have heard the reproach of Moab It is the Lord who speaks. The "reproach" or contempt of Moab is most likely that expressed in words, not that exhibited m insulting deeds; cf. Jeremiah 48:27-29; Ezekiel 35:12; Isaiah 16:6, "We have heard of the pride of Moab, he is very proud; … the injuriousness of his boastings."

revilings of the children of Ammon These revilings seem also to denote spoken obloquy (Ezekiel 21:28), though the term is also used of opprobrious deeds, Numbers 15:30; Ezekiel 20:27. Comp. Ezekiel 25:3; Ezekiel 25:6; Ezekiel 25:8, "Because thou saidst, Aha! against my sanctuary, when it was profaned."

Whereby they have reproached my people Rather: wherewith … and they have magnified. The phrase have magnified themselves, &c. is scarcely explanatory either of "reproach" or "revilings," but expresses an additional delinquency they have presumptuously violated the border of Israel and seized his territory. The charge is an old one against Ammon: Amos 1:13, "They have ripped up the women with child of Gilead that they might enlarge their border"; Jeremiah 49:1, "Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth Milcom possess Gad?" Moab also, whenever possible, overstepped what Israel regarded as its frontier and took possession of the territory of Reuben and Gad, as appears from the Moabite Stone. After Israel beyond Jordan was carried captive by Tiglath Pileser (b.c. 734), and especially after the fall of the northern kingdom (722), Moab and other peoples would naturally overflow the depopulated districts. For "theirborder" Sept. has "myborders"; cf. Jeremiah 48:26; Jeremiah 48:42, "he (Moab) hath magnified himself against the Lord."