4I will stretch out my hand against Judah,
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
and I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal
and the name of the idolatrous priests;b
5those who bow down on the roofs
to the host of the heavens;
those who bow down and swear to the LORD,
but also swear by Milcom;c
6those who have turned back from following the LORD,
who have not sought the LORD or inquired of him.
7Be silent before the Lord GOD!
For the day of the LORD is at hand;
the LORD has prepared a sacrifice,
he has consecrated his guests.
8And on the day of the LORD’s sacrifice
I will punish the officials and the king’s sons
and all who dress themselves in foreign attire.
9On that day I will punish
all who leap over the threshold,
who fill their master’s house
with violence and fraud.
10On that day, says the LORD,
a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second Quarter,
a loud crash from the hills.
11The inhabitants of the Mortar wail,
for all the traders have perished;
all who weigh out silver are cut off.
12At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the people
who rest complacentlyd on their dregs,
those who say in their hearts,
“The LORD will not do good,
nor will he do harm.”
13Their wealth shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.
The Great Day of the LORD
14The great day of the LORD is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the LORD is bitter,
the warrior cries aloud there.
15That day will be a day of wrath,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
17I will bring such distress upon people
that they shall walk like the blind;
because they have sinned against the LORD,
their blood shall be poured out like dust,
and their flesh like dung.
18Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath;
in the fire of his passion
the whole earth shall be consumed;
for a full, a terrible end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
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a Cn: Heb sea, and those who cause the wicked to stumble
b Compare Gk: Heb the idolatrous priests with the priests
c Gk Mss Syr Vg: Heb Malcam (or, their king)
d Heb who thicken
1.1 Using a frequently found title for a prophetic book, the superscription identifies the account as a revelation from the Lord, names the recipient with genealogical information, and concludes with historical information (cf. Hos 1.1; Joel 1.1; Mic 1.1). The long genealogy suggests that the prophet came from a prominent family (cf. Jer 36.14). If the Hezekiah mentioned here is the well-known king, Zephaniah would have been a relative of Josiah. Zephaniah, however, is a fairly common Hebrew name meaning “the LORD hides or protects.” In the days of King Josiah, 640–609 BCE.
1.2–2.3 A variety of individual announcements of judgment from different occasions that develop older prophetic traditions, especially the “day of the LORD” motif.
1.2–3 An announcement of judgment against all humans and animals sets a universal context, which is developed throughout the book. I will sweep away occurs three times to emphasize the totality of the destruction (cf. Ps 26.9). From the face of the earth begins and ends this judgment, forming a literary device known as an inclusio. The phrase calls to mind the threefold repetition of it in the flood story (cf. Gen 6.7; 7.4; 8.8). Says the LORD, a formulaic identification of an oracle of the Lord used extensively in Zephaniah and other prophetic literature.
1.4–6 The beginning of the series of specific announcements of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem. Stretch out my hand typically announces an action against an enemy (see Ezek 14.9, 13; 25.13) instead of toward the Lord’s people. Idolatrous priests translates a rare Hebrew word that refers to pagan priests banned by Josiah (see 2 Kings 23.5; Hos 10.5). The list of those who will be cut off in vv. 5–6 includes syncretists who worship the heavenly bodies (cf. Deut 4.19) and Milcom, an Ammonite deity (cf. 2 Kings 23.13), as well as those who were unfaithful (turned back; see Ps 78.57).
1.7–13 A direct address to the prophet begins this section.
1.7 The day of the LORD is a major motif known widely in Judah and Israel. The expectation was that the Lord would appear one day to destroy all enemies, and that this day would be one of great victory for the Lord’s people. Yet, just as Amos does (Am 5.17–20), Zephaniah announces that the day will bring punishment and not rescue for the Lord’s people. Sacrifice plays further on the unexpected, since Judah will become the offering.
1.8 I will punish continues the direct address of the Lord and is repeated two more times (vv. 9, 12) to emphasize the message of judgment. Foreign attire continues the objection to syncretism (1.4–5).
1.9 All who…threshold. See 1 Sam +115.5.
1.10 Fish Gate. See Neh 12.38–39.
1.11 Mortar, a district in Jerusalem.
1.12 At that time, in parallel with On that day in vv. 9–10. I will punish, in parallel with the same phrase in v. 9.
1.14–18 These verses develop with even greater anticipation (hastening fast) the coming of the day of the LORD. Although Judah and Jerusalem are not mentioned in this section, given the immediate context it is apparent that they are the recipients of the announcement of utter desolation.
1.15 A day of darkness and gloom. See Joel 2.2.
1.16 Trumpet blast. See Judg 3.27.
1.17–18 The deity again speaks in the first person. Walk like the blind. See Deut 28.29; Isa 59.10.
1.18 The whole earth…consumed returns to the broader context of vv. 2–3 and serves to underscore the comprehensiveness of the destruction.
ZEPHANIAH 2
Judgment on Israel’s Enemies
1Gather together, gather,
O shameless nation,
2before you are driven away
like the drifting chaff,a
before there comes upon you
the fierce anger of the LORD,
before there comes upon you
the day of the LORD’s wrath.
3Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
who do his commands;
seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you may be hidden
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.
4For Gaza shall be deserted,
and Ashkelon shall become a desolation;
Ashdod’s people shall be driven out at noon,
and Ekron shall be uprooted.
5Ah, inhabitants of the seacoast,
you nation of the Cherethites!
The word of the LORD is against you,
O Canaan, land of the Philistines;
and I will destroy you until no inhabitant is left.
6And you, O seacoast, shall be pastures,
meadows for shepherds
and folds for flocks.
&nb
sp; 7The seacoast shall become the possession
of the remnant of the house of Judah,
on which they shall pasture,
and in the houses of Ashkelon
they shall lie down at evening.
For the LORD their God will be mindful of them
and restore their fortunes.
8I have heard the taunts of Moab
and the revilings of the Ammonites,
how they have taunted my people
and made boasts against their territory.
9Therefore, as I live, says the LORD of hosts,
the God of Israel,
Moab shall become like Sodom
and the Ammonites like Gomorrah,
a land possessed by nettles and salt pits,
and a waste forever.
The remnant of my people shall plunder them,
and the survivors of my nation shall possess them.
10This shall be their lot in return for their pride,
because they scoffed and boasted
against the people of the LORD of hosts.
11The LORD will be terrible against them;
he will shrivel all the gods of the earth,
and to him shall bow down,
each in its place,
all the coasts and islands of the nations.
12You also, O Ethiopians,b
shall be killed by my sword.
13And he will stretch out his hand against the north,
and destroy Assyria;
and he will make Nineveh a desolation,
a dry waste like the desert.
14Herds shall lie down in it,
every wild animal;c
the desert owld and the screech owle
shall lodge on its capitals;
the owlf shall hoot at the window,
the raveng croak on the threshold;
for its cedar work will be laid bare.
15Is this the exultant city
that lived secure,
that said to itself,
“I am, and there is no one else”?
What a desolation it has become,
a lair for wild animals!
Everyone who passes by it
hisses and shakes the fist.
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a Cn Compare Gk Syr: Heb before a decree is born; like chaff a day has passed away
b Or Nubians; Heb Cushites
c Tg Compare Gk: Heb nation
d Meaning of Heb uncertain
e Meaning of Heb uncertain
f Cn: Heb a voice
g Gk Vg: Heb desolation
2.1–3 A hint that the people might avoid the “day of the LORD’s” wrath.
2.1 Gather together. The Hebrew term is used for the gathering of straw or sticks (see Ex 5.7–12; Num 15.32), contrasting with the gathering of people for rejoicing in 3.20. The shameless nation is Judah. The Hebrew term translated shameless is unusual; the phrase is lit. a “nation not longing for [God]” (see Ps 84.2). The Hebrew word used for nation is one used for non-Israelite people, further emphasizing that God’s people have become no different than any other nation.
2.3 Perhaps indicates only a hope, not an assurance, that judgment is avoidable.
2.4–15 The threat now expands to foreign nations, following the familiar movement in prophetic books from threats against Judah and Jerusalem to threats against foreign nations.
2.4 For links these judgments with those against Judah, serves to underscore the totality of God’s judgment, and provides an additional motivation for the possibility given Judah in vv. 1–3.
2.4–7 Philistines occupied the area to the west. Four of the five major Philistine cities are mentioned (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron) from south to north; and the fifth, Gath, was already destroyed by the Assyrian king Sargon II. The destruction of this ancient enemy of the Hebrew people would have delighted them, had they not already heard in the previous chapter of their own demise. Cherethites (v. 5), a group within the Philistines (2 Sam 8.18).
2.7 Remnant of the house of Judah, those who have been judged (1.4–16).
2.8–11 Judgment against Moab and the Ammonites, who lived to the east. The direct address of the deity in vv. 8–9 is followed by a prophetic comment in vv. 10–11.
2.9 Therefore as I live indicates the beginning of an oath. LORD of hosts, the God of Israel comes from the earlier Zion theology (2 Sam 7.27) and may hint at the hope of reuniting Israel and Judah.
2.12 Ethiopians. The location of judgment now moves to the south, probably indicating a remote region as well as the extent of the Lord’s power, which includes even the most faraway places.
2.13–15 After the threats have been issued to the areas west, east, and south, Zephaniah turns to the north with judgment against Assyria and Nineveh. Stretch out his hand recalls the same words used against Judah and Jerusalem in 1.4. Exultant city, Nineveh.
ZEPHANIAH 3
The Wickedness of Jerusalem
1Ah, soiled, defiled,
oppressing city!
2It has listened to no voice;
it has accepted no correction.
It has not trusted in the LORD;
it has not drawn near to its God.
3The officials within it
are roaring lions;
its judges are evening wolves
that leave nothing until the morning.
4Its prophets are reckless,
faithless persons;
its priests have profaned what is sacred,
they have done violence to the law.
5The LORD within it is righteous;
he does no wrong.
Every morning he renders his judgment,
each dawn without fail;
but the unjust knows no shame.
6I have cut off nations;
their battlements are in ruins;
I have laid waste their streets
so that no one walks in them;
their cities have been made desolate,
without people, without inhabitants.
7I said, “Surely the citya will fear me,
it will accept correction;
it will not lose sightb
of all that I have brought upon it.”
But they were the more eager
to make all their deeds corrupt.
Punishment and Conversion of the Nations
8Therefore wait for me, says the LORD,
for the day when I arise as a witness.
For my decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
to pour out upon them my indignation,
all the heat of my anger;
for in the fire of my passion
all the earth shall be consumed.
9At that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call on the name of the LORD
and serve him with one accord.
10From beyond the rivers of Ethiopiac
my suppliants, my scattered ones,
shall bring my offering.
11On that day you shall not be put to shame
because of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
in my holy mountain.
12For I will leave in the midst of you
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD—
13the remnant of Israel;
they shall do no wrong
and utter no lies,
nor shall a deceitful tongue
be found in their mouths.
Then they will pasture and lie down,
and no one shall make them afraid.
A Song of Joy
14Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all you
r heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
15The LORD has taken away the judgments against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
17The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew youd in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
18as on a day of festival.e
I will remove disaster from you,f
so that you will not bear reproach for it.
19I will deal with all your oppressors
at that time.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the LORD.
* * *
a Heb it
b Gk Syr: Heb its dwelling will not be cut off
c Or Nubia; Heb Cush
d Gk Syr: Heb he will be silent
e Gk Syr: Meaning of Heb uncertain
f Cn: Heb I will remove from you; they were
3.1–13 The city addressed is not identified, but it is generally agreed to be Jerusalem. This is confirmed by v. 4.
3.2–5 Every type of political and religious leader in the city (cf. Ezek 22.23–29) is contrasted with the Lord (v. 5).
3.2 Jerusalem has not heeded or paid any attention to the Lord, which was first mentioned in 1.6 (see Jer 7.28).
3.4 Prophets. See Mic 3.5–7. Priests. See Hos 4.6–9; 6.9. Priests are to discern for the people (Lev 10.10; Hag 2.10–13; Ezek 22.26).
3.6–13 A shift back to a direct quotation of the Lord. Here begins a section suggesting that there will exist among the people a remnant (2.7, 9; 3.13) who will listen to the Lord.
HarperCollins Study Bible Page 338
