Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible · Zephaniah 第3章

Zephaniah 3:1. Woe to her that is filthy, &c.— Woe to her that provoketh wrath, and is defiled; to the oppressed city; or city of oppressors. Zephaniah 3:2. Which heareth not the voice, nor receiveth instruction, nor hath hope in Jehovah, nor approacheth to her God. Zephaniah 3:3. Whose princes, &c.—They do not gnaw the bones or, they leave no bones to gnaw in the morning; or, they rest not even till the morning. Houbigant; who observes, that the prophet in this verse compares the judges of Jerusalem to evening wolves, because they begin to hunt for their prey in the evening, yet they continue to do so throughout the whole night, and even till the morning.

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Zephaniah 3:5. Every morning, &c.— That is, "Every day he fails not to give fresh evidences of his justice upon these princes, false prophets, and idolatrous priests." The allusion is to the custom of the Jews and neighbouring nations, who passed judgments only in the morning.

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Zephaniah 3:7. Thou wilt receive instruction— Thou, that is, Jerusalem, whom, nevertheless, the examples of the neighbouring nations, whom God had destroyed, Zep 3:6 profited not. Instead of, But they rose early, &c. Houbigant reads, But they delayed not to worship their vain gods.

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Zephaniah 3:8. Therefore— Nevertheless. "Notwithstanding these provocations, I exhort the pious among you to expect the accomplishment of the promises which I have made of restoring the Jewish nation to my favour: in order to which, I will execute remarkable judgments upon the unbelievers and disobedient." It is very common with the prophets to subjoin the most comfortable promises to the most fearful threatenings, and, after having denounced the captivity, to foretel the deliverance of the people; but the prophet here seems to look farther; even to the Gospel times, and perhaps to the future and final restoration of the Jews. See the following verses.

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Zephaniah 3:9. For then will I turn, &c.— Houbigant renders it, For then will I pour into the people a pure language; that they may all invoke the name of Jehovah, and serve him with one shoulder; that is to say, with unanimity and consent; alluding to the unanimity of the Levites in carrying the ark. The prophet foretels the same things here with Joel, Joel 2:28. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, &c.

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Zephaniah 3:10. From beyond the rivers, &c.— From the borders of the rivers of Ethiopia, those whom I have hitherto dispersed shall become my suppliants, and shall bring me an offering. Houbigant. The Jews, dispersed in the most distant countries, as the farthest parts of Ethiopia, shall come into the Christian church, and there pay their adorations to the God of their fathers.

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Zephaniah 3:11. Them that rejoice in thy pride— Those who raised, or caused thy pride; namely, the Jewish priests and scribes, who proudly boasted themselves against the Messiah; and in whose stead the Lord introduced the meek and lowly people, the disciples of Christ; Zephaniah 3:12. Instead of, not be ashamed—and, because of my holy mountain, we may read, not be put to shame and in my holy mountain.

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Zephaniah 3:14. Sing, O daughter of Zion— These hymns of joy, though in some measure applicable to the return of the captivity, yet in their full propriety belong to the times of the Gospel. The king of Israel, spoken of in the next verse, is Jesus Christ, who reigns truly over his people, by his empire of grace and of love.

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Zephaniah 3:16. Let not thine hands be slack— Let not thine hands fall down. Houbigant. See Hebrews 12:12.

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Zephaniah 3:17. He will save, &c.— He will bring salvation; he will rejoice and be glad over thee; he will renew his love, and joy over thee with singing, as in a solemn assembly. Zephaniah 3:18. For I will take away those who oppressed thee; they shall be far from thee, that they may bring no reproach upon thee. Houbigant.

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