Zephaniah
11
Zephaniah, Joel, Obadiah, and Hosea, painting by John Singer, 1895.
son of Cushi,
son of Gedaliah,
son of Amariah,
son of Hezekiah (Hebr. Chizqijah)
– in the days of [King] Josiah (Hebr. Joshijahos) [622-609 BC when he reigned as king], son of Amon, king of Judah.
[Josiah was a good king who reigned from 640-609 BC, but because he was young, he did not come to power until 622 BC, see . Zephaniah's connection to King Hezekiah in the fourth generation is emphasized. Hezekiah was king of the southern kingdom from 715-686 BC and restored temple service and abolished idolatry, see . He is also known for building the Siloam Tunnel and a dam to improve the water supply to Jerusalem.]Coming judgment on Jerusalem
2I will sweep away, sweep away everything (sweep away, harvest everything)
from the surface (literally face) of the earth (Hebr. adama), proclaims (says, proclaims) the Lord (Yahweh).
3I will sweep away people and animals,
I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea
and the stumbling blocks [idols of birds and fish] along with the wicked.
I will wipe out (cut off) mankind
from the face of the earth (literally, face), proclaims (says, declares) the Lord (Yahweh). [God had created the fish, the birds, the animals, and humans, see . The list here is reversed—which reinforces the seriousness of Zephaniah's prophetic words. The number four represents the whole earth (the four cardinal directions). The word "sweep away" is used four times and a total of four times humanity/the earth (Hebr. adam 2x and Hebr. adama 2x). Hebr. adama is a general word that can refer to the whole world but also to the land of Israel. In these first three verses, it is unclear whether a worldwide catastrophe is imminent – Zephaniah has the reader's full attention; now follow three lines that show that the words are primarily directed at Judah and Jerusalem.] 4I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
I will cut off (cut down) the remnant of Baal from this place,
the names of the idol priests along with the priests,
5those who bow down on the roofs
before the hosts of heaven (the demonic powers)
those who bow down and swear by the Lord (Yahweh)
and at the same time swear by Molech,
6those who turn away from following the Lord (Yahweh),
do not seek the Lord (Yahweh) or consult him.Coming judgment on corrupt leaders
7Be still (silent) before the face (presence) of the Lord of Lords (Adonai Yahweh),
for the day of the Lord (Yahweh) is near.
The Lord (Yahweh) has prepared a sacrifice,
he has sanctified his guests. 8On the day of the Lord's (Yahweh's) sacrifice
I will punish the princes and the king's sons
and all those who dress in foreign clothes. [Foreign clothes refer to the people adapting to pagan culture and religion. Why is the king not mentioned? Perhaps Zephaniah received the message early in Josiah's reign, when he was eight years old, see . If so, perhaps he was omitted because of his age or because he was righteous, see .] 9On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold [worship Dagon, see ]
they fill their master's house [idol temple] with evil and deceit. [The expression "over the threshold" may refer to the fact that a blood covenant can be made by crossing a threshold; jumping over the threshold is a way of desecrating the covenant.] 10On that day, the Lord (Yahweh) proclaims (says, declares),
there shall be heard cries [from people in distress/pain] from the Fish Gate [; – in the north where fish from, among other places, Tyre were imported],
wailing (cries of lamentation) from the other area [the new quarters in Jerusalem]
and a great crash from the hills.
[The second area () probably refers to the expansion of Jerusalem, west of the City of David, see ; . Huldah lived here, see , and it is to her that Josiah sends a message in 621 BC when the Books of Moses are found in the temple.] 11Lam., you inhabitants of Machtesh (Mortar Quarter; literally: 'the bowl') [probably the name of the marketplace in Jerusalem],
for all the merchants (Hebr. ; the same name as the Canaanite people) are no more,
all those who weigh silver [exchange or lend money] are gone (cut off). [The marketplace is also probably located in the new part; the word means bowl/mortar, so it was probably in the depression at the Tyropeon Valley, the same part that is still today the market street in the Old City of Jerusalem.]
12And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and I will punish the men who are like the dregs of wine that has congealed (have hardened hearts – are stuck in their evil ways)
and who say in their hearts:
"The Lord (Yahweh) can neither do good nor evil."
13Their possessions shall be left for plunder
and their houses for destruction.
They shall build houses
but not live in them [Deut. 28:30].
They shall plant vineyards
but not drink their wine []. [During the eighteenth year of King Josiah's reign (621 BC), the Books of Moses are found in the temple, see . It is probably from these newly found scrolls that Zephaniah quotes these verses. The three groups correspond to the three categories in verses 8-12. The royals will lose their palaces and their wealth, the wealthy merchants will lose their houses, and those who are stuck in their apathy (like the hard sediment in the wine) will not be allowed to drink the wine.]The Lord's judgment on all nations
14The day of the Lord (Yahweh) is near—the great,
near, and coming quickly [].
Hear [the sound of] the day of the Lord (Yahweh)—bitter (Hebr. mar; tragedy),
the cry of warriors is there.
15That day is a day of wrath,
a day of trouble and distress,
a day of devastating storms and destruction,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of thick clouds and intense darkness,
16a day of shofar and alarm (war cry) [the trumpet warned of danger, see ]
against fortified cities
and against the high corner towers. 17I will bring such anguish upon mankind
that they will walk like the blind
because they have sinned against the Lord (Yahweh).
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like manure. 18Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's (Yahweh's) wrath.
In the fire of his zeal [], the whole earth (the land – Hebr. ha-erets) shall be consumed,
for he shall bring about a complete and terrible destruction of all the inhabitants of the earth (the land).Call to repentance
21Gather yourselves together [like straw],
yes, gather yourselves together, you shameless people,
2before the decree (literally "things engraved") goes forth,
before the day passes like chaff,
before the Lord's (Yahweh's) burning anger comes upon you,
before the Lord's (Yahweh's) day of wrath comes upon you. 3Seek the Lord (Yahweh), all you humble in the land
who have carried out his judgments (do what he has commanded).
Seek righteousness, seek humility (meekness);
perhaps you will be hidden
on the day of the Lord's (Yahweh's) wrath. [This verse speaks of protection from the Lord's punishment, see .]The Lord's judgment on all nations
West – Philistia
4Gaza [furthest south along the coast] shall be forsaken
and Ashkelon [north of Gaza] shall become a desolation.
Ashdod shall be driven out at noon
and Ekron shall be uprooted.
5Woe to the inhabitants along the sea,
the land of the Kerethites [Cretans – a people originally from the island of Crete].
The word of the Lord (Yahweh) is against you.
Canaan, the land of the Philistines:
"I will destroy you
until there are no more inhabitants among you." 6The seashore shall become pastureland
with meadows for shepherds and pens for flocks. 7The coast shall belong to the remnant of the house of Judah
and there they shall graze.
In the house of Ashkelon they shall lie down in the evening,
for the Lord their God (Yahweh Elohim) will visit them
and bring them back from captivity.East – Moab and Ammon
8I have heard the taunts of Moab
and the scoffing of the children of Ammon
who have taunted my people
and questioned their borders.
9Therefore, as surely as I live,
declares (says, proclaims) the Lord of hosts (Yahweh Sebaot), the God of Israel (Elohim),
Moab shall be like Sodom
and Ammon like Gomorrah
they shall become a possession for weeds and a salt pit,
an eternal desolation.
The remnant of my people shall plunder them;
the remnant of my people shall depopulate them. 10This is the reward for their pride,
for they have mocked and oppressed the people of the Lord of Hosts (Yahweh Sebaot).
11The Lord (Yahweh) will be terrifying to them,
for he has made all the gods of the earth fade away (diminish more and more, disappear).
Before him, everyone from their place shall bow down,
even the island nations [the outer limits of the earth].South – Cush
12You, Kush [a people from present-day Sudan and parts of Ethiopia],
shall also be slaughtered by my sword.North – Assyria
13He will stretch out his hand against the north
and destroy Assyria
and make Nineveh a desolate place,
dry as the desert.
[Zephaniah predicts the fall of Nineveh, which occurs in 612 BC]
14Herds will lie down in her midst,
all kinds of wild animals,
both small owls and large owls
will have their nests on her pillars.
Their voices (hooting) will be heard at the window,
the doorway will be in ruins,
the cedar planks will be exposed. [Here is depicted a picture of a plastered house with a cedar frame that is now visible when the house has been laid in ruins. Cedar is a strong wood that decays very slowly and can therefore be seen for decades among the ruins unless the house burns down.] 15This is the happy city
that lives carefree and secure
and [she, Nineveh] says in her heart:
"It is I, I and no one else."
How has she become a ruin,
a resting place for wild animals?
All who pass by her hiss
and shake their fists (at her). [Verses 4-17 have now given judgments to the surrounding nations to the west, east, south, and north.]Coming judgment on corrupt leaders
31Woe to the oppressed city [Jerusalem],
stained (unclean, filthy) and defiled. 2She did not listen to the voice (that admonished, was not obedient),
she did not accept correction,
she did not trust in the Lord (El),
she did not draw near to God (Elohim).
3Her princes (princes) within are roaring lions,
her judges are night wolves,
they leave nothing on the bone until morning (they eat up all the marrow).
4Her prophets are ruthless,
treacherous men.
Her priests have profaned what is holy
and violate the teaching (Hebr. Torah).
5The Lord (Yahweh) is righteous in her midst;
he does no wrong.
Morning after morning he brings his justice to light,
it is never lacking,
and the unrighteous know no shame. 6I have destroyed (cut down) nations,
their towers have become desolate.
I have ruined their streets,
so that no one passes by.
Their cities lie desolate,
there is no one there, no one lives in them.
7I said,
"Surely now you [the city of Jerusalem personified] will fear (respect) me,
and accept my correction (rebuke)."
Then her dwelling would not be destroyed,
according to all [the judgments] I have decreed against her.
But they still rose early
and carried out all their tasks corruptly. [Early morning, before the heat of the midday sun, is the best time for business in the Middle East. The expression "rose early" describes how they purposefully, willingly, and enthusiastically devote themselves to evil, that which is worthless and leads to destruction. The expression "they rise," not "she" or "my people" rise, implies a further distancing in language; they have left God's ways.]Coming restoration of Jerusalem
8"Therefore, you must wait patiently for me," proclaims (says, declares) the Lord (Yahweh).
"Wait for the day when I rise up to attack and plunder [and take back what belongs to me].
I have decided to gather the nations
and kingdoms [to attack Jerusalem, see ],
so that I may pour out my wrath upon them,
all my boiling anger,
for on that day the whole earth shall be consumed
by my jealous fire.
[ is the only verse in the entire Bible that contains all 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In addition, Hebrew has five special letters that are written differently at the end of words, called soffit, and all five of these soffit forms are included in this single verse. Immediately after this unique verse listing the entire Hebrew alphabet, states that God will "restore a pure language" to His people! A partial fulfillment of this prophecy occurred when Eliezer Ben Yehudah revived the Hebrew language in the late 1800s.] 9Then I will transform the peoples so that they speak a pure language from pure lips,
so that they may all call upon the name of the Lord (Yahweh) in prayer,
to serve (worship) him – one shoulder [united]. [The Greek translation Septuagint translates "under one yoke," meaning that the people are united and pull together. Another interpretation is that it is shoulder to shoulder, side by side.]
10Even from across the rivers of Cush [present-day Sudan and parts of Ethiopia],
those who pray to me will bring me sacrifices [instead of to Baal or Milkom/Moloch].
11On that day, you will no longer be ashamed
for all the sins you have committed against me.
Then I will deliver you [Jerusalem]
from the proud and haughty (those who rejoice in their pride),
and you will never again act arrogantly
on my holy mountain.
12I will leave among you a humble people,
and they shall take refuge (safety, security) in the name of the Lord (Yahweh) (in the presence of the Lord).
13Those who remain in Israel will no longer sin.
They will not speak lies,
and no deceitful tongue will be found in their mouths.
Yes, they will graze peacefully like sheep in green pastures and lie down,
without any danger (without trembling with fear). 14Shout (sing), daughter of Zion [a loving title for the city of Jerusalem]!
Raise a battle cry (shout loudly), Israel!
Be glad and rejoice (triumph, leap for joy) with all your heart,
daughter of Jerusalem!
15The Lord (Yahweh) has removed the judgments against you,
he has cast out the enemy.
The Lord (Yahweh), the King of Israel, dwells among (close to) you,
you shall no longer fear (experience) any evil." 16On that day [when Jesus returns to reign], it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear, Zion,
do not let your hands fall (do not lose heart, courage)! []
17The Lord (Yahweh) your God (Elohim) is in your midst (close to you),
a mighty hero (warrior) who saves (rescues, liberates).
He rejoices over you with abundant joy [always feels great happiness and satisfaction in you],
he is silent [planning] in his love,
he rejoices over you with [dancing and] songs of joy (shouts of joy)."
[The Hebrew word charech (in the penultimate verse) means to be silent and deaf, but also to engrave, design, or devise. The next word is be-ahavah (in his love), and the combined meaning is not obvious. Why does he become silent in his love? Is he creating something new that he is devising? The word for rejoicing is also used in (about drawing water with joy from the wells of salvation) and in (together with joy, followed by shouts for the bridegroom and bride). Both of these Hebrew words also refer to wedding joy!] 18I will gather those among you who mourn over the appointed times [the Lord's appointed meetings with his people at set times – that they cannot be kept],
those [appointed times or those who mourn] who [were taken away from you and now]
are (have become) a burden of shame (a shameful reproach) for (literally: on, over) you. 19Behold, at that time I will deal with (render harmless, judge)
all those who oppress you [Zion].
I will save (rescue, deliver) her—she, the lame [Zion is likened to a limping sheep]
and gather her—she, the scattered (who is driven away, banished, and cast out).
I will make them a song of praise [someone to be praised]
and a name [a name mentioned with respect]
in every land where they [previously] have been put to shame [and dishonored].
20At that time I will gather you;
at that time you will be gathered.
For I will give you renown and honor
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your captives
before their eyes, says the Lord (Yahweh).
