_Gather yourselves together_, &c. Assemble yourselves to make a public humiliation: see Joel 2:16. _O nation not desired_ Or _coveted_, as the word נכס Šproperly signifies. The Vulgate renders it, _non amabilis, not lovely;_ and the Greek, το απαιδευτον, _uninstructed_, or, _that will not receive in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek_ Here the prophet addresses some others, different from those addressed before, namely, the few pious, who still remained in Jerusalem and Judah amidst the general corruption; _which have wrought his judgment_ Who have obeyed his laws, and done his will. _Seek righteou... [ Continue Reading ]
_For Gaza shall be forsaken_ The prophet digresses here to foretel the fate of some cities and nations bordering on Judea; probably with a view to show that when Judea should be invaded, and Jerusalem attacked, there would be no place for the Jews to escape to, since all the neighbouring cities woul... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of Ammon_ These countries were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem: see the places referred to in the margin, where, as well as here, they are threatened with destruction, for their insulting over the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye Ethiopians also shall be slain_ Here a denunciation of divine wrath is uttered against the Ethiopians, as, Zephaniah 2:8, against the Moabites and Ammonites. It is said that they should be slain by _God's sword;_ because Nebuchadnezzar, who was to subdue them, was raised up by the divine provide... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he will stretch out his hand against the north_ Nor will the southern nations only be punished, but judgments will be executed by the divine justice on the nations lying toward the north; _and will make Nineveh a desolation_ What is here foretold was fulfilled before the predictions recorded in... [ Continue Reading ]
_This is the rejoicing city_ This is supposed to be said by those who should pass by it after its desolation; _that said in her heart, I am, and there is none besides me_ Its inhabitants indulged themselves in their ease and pleasures; and they arrived at that degree of presumption, as to fancy that... [ Continue Reading ]