Chapter 2

1 An exhortation to repentance. 4 The judgment of the Philistines, 8 of Moab and Ammon, 12 of Ethiopia and Assyria.

1. Gather yourselves. Since association adds strength through common counsel, united confession, and appealing to God, the prophet admonishes his people to assemble together (see Heb. 10:24, 25; cf. Joel 1:14; 2:16–18).

Desired. Heb. kasaph, meaning literally, “to become pale” (thus keseph, “the pale metal,” is “silver”). Kasaph, in the form used here, has two possible meanings, “to long for,” and “to be ashamed.” If Judah was “not longed for,” it means the nation was not worthy of God’s love and protection. If the nation was “not ashamed,” it means that the people had no proper sense of guilt for their sins (see Isa. 29:22).

2. The decree. That is, God’s purpose to punish Judah (see ch. 1:2, 4, 8, 18). For the latter-day application, see on ch. 1:7).

3. Seek ye. Addressing those who claim to serve God and obey His law, the prophet encourages them to hold firm for God.

Meek. Those opposite in character to the proud, self-sufficient, and shameless addressed previously (see on v. 1). Concerning the spirit of pride see on Matt. 5:5.

Wrought. Though Judah had become apostate and degenerate, there were those who remained loyal to God.

It may be. Heb. Хulay, “perhaps”; an expression of hope, pleading, or fear.

4. Gaza. Four of the five principal cities of the Philistines are named here to represent the whole of that country (see Amos 1:6–8). Like Amos, Zephaniah omits mention of Gath (see on Amos 1:6).

Noon. Since this was the hottest part of the day, a time when the enemy would be least likely to attack, the expression “at the noon day” evidently means “unexpectedly,” or “suddenly” (see Jer. 15:8).

5. Cherethites. The Cherethites are believed to have inhabited the southern part of the Philistine seacoast (see on 1 Sam. 30:14). The LXX has paroikoi Kreµtoµn, “the neighbors of the Cretans,” or “the sojourners among the Cretans.”

6. Dwellings. Literally, “pasturelands.”

7. Coast. This will be given to the “remnant” of Judah when they return to their land (see Obadiah 17–20).

Visit. Here the purpose of God’s “visit” is for good and blessing (see on Ps. 8:4; 59:5). The prophet expresses a firm confidence that his people will be restored from the Babylonian captivity, and evidently considers the overthrow of Philistia as preparatory to that event.

8. Reproach of Moab. The descendants of Lot, the Moabites and the Ammonites, were the unrelenting enemies of the Israelites, although they were related to them by blood (see on Amos 1:13; 2:1).

Against their border. The LXX reads, “against my coasts.” As the Lord called Israel “my people,” so the boundaries of the nation could properly be called “my” borders, and their violation was an offense against God (see Deut. 32:8, 9).

9. Lord of hosts. See on Jer. 7:3. God so speaks of Himself to show that the resources of His strength will make effective His threat against His people’s enemies.

Surely Moab. The proximity of the Moabites and the Ammonites to the Dead Sea, the vicinity of ancient Sodom and Gomorrah (see on Gen. 13:10), would make more forceful this prophecy against these neighbors of Judah.

10. Lord of hosts. See on v. 9; Jer. 7:3.

11. Famish. Heb. razah, “to diminish.” The prophet was looking forward to the time when God would cause “all the gods of the earth” to diminish, a time when they would have no more worshipers to offer them sacrifices.

Every one. See Isa. 19:18, 19; Mal. 1:11.

Isles. Or, “coastlands.” A reference to distant countries reached by sea travel.

12. Ethiopians. Heb. Kushim, “Cushites,” or “inhabitants of Cush” (see on Gen. 10:6). Kush included Nubia and some parts of Arabia bordering on the Red Sea.

13. Assyria. While Assyria appeared prosperous and flourishing, the prophet foretold that it would also suffer the divine wrath (see Isa. 10:12; Eze. 31:3–12; the book of Nahum).

Dry like a wilderness. The abundant fertility of Nineveh was due to irrigation. When the irrigation system was destroyed, it did not take long for Nineveh to become an arid region.

14. Flocks. A detailed description is given here of the “desolation” to come upon Nineveh (see v. 13). In graphic language the prophet pictures the absence of human inhabitants in the ruins of the city.

Cormorant. Heb. qaХath, a bird not identified positively; possibly the “owl,” the “pelican,” or the “vulture” (RSV).

Bittern. Heb. qippod, probably the “short-eared owl,” Asio flammens; by some it is believed to be the hedgehog, Erinaceus auritus.

15. Carelessly. Or, literally, “securely,” “safely,” or “undisturbed.” The city is pictured as being without fear of attack. In her pride Nineveh arrogated to herself the very attributes of Deity, “I am, and there is none beside me” (cf. Isa. 14:13, 14; Isa. 47:7; Rev. 18:7).

Hiss. To show derision or scorn (see Jer. 19:8; Micah 6:16).

Wag his hand. A gesture of contemptuous dismissal.

Ellen G. White comments

1–3PK 390; 1T 180; 5T 99

3     MYP 90; 1T 426, 619; 2T 222, 405, 438; 5T 137

14   PK 365

15        PK 364