_Wo to her that is filthy_ (Bishop Newcome reads, _rebellious_, and the Vulgate, _provoking,_) _and polluted_ That is, defiled with various crimes; _to the oppressing city_ It is well deserving of our notice, that the oppression of the poor is always ranked by God among those things which are most o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Her princes are roaring lions_ Are like devouring lions, who roar in the act of seizing their prey. _Her judges are evening wolves_ Like so many beasts of prey. The princes and judges devour the people by injustice and oppression. _They gnaw not the bones till the morrow_ That is, they greedily dev... [ Continue Reading ]
_The just Lord is in the midst thereof_ Namely, of Jerusalem, and sees all these things. _He will not do iniquity_ He is just and holy, and will do nothing but what is right; nor will he suffer wickedness to pass unpunished. _Every morning doth he bring his judgment to light_ “The sense is, not a da... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have cut off the nations_ I have executed vengeance upon that great city Nineveh, Zephaniah 2:15, and have brought my judgments nearer to you, by giving up your brethren of the ten tribes into the hands of Shalmaneser; who hath put an end to that kingdom, and hath carried its inhabitants captive... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore_ Rather, _Nevertheless, wait ye upon me, saith the Lord_ “Notwithstanding these provocations, saith God, I exhort the godly among you to expect the fulfilment of the promises I have made, of restoring the Jewish nation to my wonted favour in the latter ages of the world: in order to which... [ Continue Reading ]
_For then_ Or, _afterward_, as the particle אז seems to signify here, _will I turn_, or _restore, to the people a pure language_ I will turn them from their idolatries, and other wickedness, (see Zephaniah 3:13,) to glorify me _with one mind and one mouth._ The same thing is expressed by _speaking t... [ Continue Reading ]
_From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia_ The expression, מעבר, rendered _from beyond_, may be translated, _from the borders of_, as it signifies indifferently the _hither_ or _further_ side of a river. In the war with Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt, many of the Jews were made captive and carried into Egyp... [ Continue Reading ]
_In that day_ Or, after that time; _shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings_ Thy guilt and thy punishment shall cease: thou shalt be pardoned and reformed. _For then will I take away them that rejoice in thy pride_ Or, _greatness:_ or, as some render it, _that exult in their pride. And thou sha... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will also leave in the midst of thee_ Of Judea and Jerusalem; _an afflicted and poor people_ Hebrew, עם עני ודל, _a people humble_, or _meek, and poor._ When the Chaldeans carried away the Jews into captivity, they left of the poor of the land for vine-dressers and husbandmen; and such as returne... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sing, O daughter of Zion_ At that time, O daughter of Zion, thou shalt break forth into loud and joyful praises to Jehovah, for his goodness toward thee; and thou mayest even now do it, for thou shalt certainly enjoy this prosperous state. The injunction here to Zion, to be thankful and joyful, is... [ Continue Reading ]
_In that day_ Or, _time of restitution_, when the captives shall return and be settled in their own land; _it shall be said to Jerusalem _ By prophets, or by friends congratulating and encouraging them; _Fear thou not_ Disquiet not yourselves with unnecessary fears, though you may apprehend some dan... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly_ I will collect together those Israelites who are dispersed in their several captivities, both that of Babylon, and those of following times; who mourn for the loss of the public ordinances, and are grieved at the reproaches wherewith th... [ Continue Reading ]