صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

ZEPHANIAH.

INTRODUCTION.

ZEPHANIAH prophesied about the same time as Jeremiah, and in his method and subject much resembles him. He directs his speech chiefly to the people of Judah, and foretels their captivity by the Chaldeans, on account of their idolatry and other sins, of which he earnestly exhorts them to repent. He then denounces judgments against other neighbouring nations, and from them returns to the people of his charge. Afterwards he exhorts all the good and faithful among them to patience, and comforts them with the promise of God's restoring his ancient people, and enlarging his church in the days of the Messiah.

CHAP. I.

THE word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

2 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.

3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;

5 And them that worship the host of heaven upon the house-tops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;

[ocr errors]

6 And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.

7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

9 In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

11 Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

NOTES.

CHAP. I. Ver. 2. I will utterly consume-Heb. "Consuming I will consume" all things; i. e. man and beast, ver.3.From off the land: Heb. "From the face of the land."

Ver. 3. The stumbling-blocks with (Newcome, "of") the wicked-that is, their idols.

Ver. 4. Chemarims-Newcome," Sacrificers;"'i. e. to Baal. See Hos. x. 5, and Note. The name implies that they were clothed in black, which was generally the case with the idolatrous priests. See Orient. Lit. No. 1697.

Ver. 5. Malcham-or" Malchom," or "Moloch;"

i. e. "the king," the same idol, probably, as Baal, both pointing to the sun, the king, or lord of heaven. Ver. 7. He hath bid (or bidden) his guests.-See Rev. xix. 17, 18.

Ver. 8. Strange apparel-The idolaters appear to have worn a peculiar dress in their worship. See 2 Kings x. 22.

Ver. 9. Leap on (or over) the threshold-that is, to invade their neighbour's premises: but query? May not this refer to some idolatrous or superstitious rite now unknown.

Ver. 10. Crashing-Newcome, "Breach,"

[blocks in formation]

12 And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.

17 And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the

CHAP. I.

[and repentance urged.

fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land. (A)

CHAP. II.

GATHER yourselves together, yes, gather together, O nation not

desired;

2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, befüre the fierce anger of the LORD COM upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.

3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hidin the day of the LORD's anger.

4 For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

5 Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coasts, the nation of the Chere thites! The word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.

6 And the sea coast shall be dwel lings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the

EXPOSITION.

(A) God's judgments denounced against Judah. Idolaters, and sinners of several other denominations, are particularly threatened, and the approaching visitation enlarged on, by the addition of several aggravating circumstances. These idolaters, it seems, had not wholly renounced the service of Jehovah; but they united

with it idol worship: they served God and Baal, or rather Malchom (both represen tatives of the sun), whom they honoured as the king of heaven. He had also his priests and sacrificers, who worshipped him upon the house tops. We may, how ever, depend upon it, that all attempts to serve God and 'Baal, or Moloch, or Mammon, will only bring confusion and destruction on the worshippers.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

Ver. 12. With candles-Newcome, "Lights," perhaps torches," implying a strict search. Settled on their lees-Heb. "Curdled," like wine not cleared. See Jer. xlviii. 11.

Ver. 13. Build houses, &c.-Amos v. 11.

Ver. 17. Like blind men.-Isa. lix 9, 10.
CHAP. II. Ver. 1. Not desired - that is, hated.

Newcome.

Ver. 3. Hid, or hidden.-See Isa. xxvi. 20 Ver. 4. Gaza, &c.-These were cities of the hilistines.At the noon day:-This implies disgrmen, as well as discomfiture. See Jer. vi. 4, x. 8

Ver. 5. Cherethites.-See 1 Sam. xxx. 14.
Ver. 7. In the houses-that is, in their ruins

[blocks in formation]

evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.

9 Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah; even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.

10 This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.

11 The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.

12 Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be F slain by my sword.

13 And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.

14 And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the

CHAP. II.

[heathen nations.

[blocks in formation]

EXPOSITION.

(B) Judgments on the Philistines, and other nations.-The Prophet, having declared the judgments which were ready to fall upon his people, exhorts them to sincere repentance, before these judgments overtake them. He then foretels the fate of other neighbouring and hostile nations, the Philistines, Moabites, and Ammonites, Ethiopians and Assyrians. In the close of

the chapter, Nineveh, reduced to ruins, is beautifully contrasted with its former flourishing condition. Ah! what is all the strength and riches, the pomp and splendour of Nineveh, or Babylon, when the Almighty enters into judgment with it! For many years, no doubt, every passing stranger was ready to point with his hand, and say, "There was Nineveh, and there Babylon!" But now the very site of those mighty cities is only known by conjecture.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

bellious." Ver. 3. They gnaw not that is, they carry the

[blocks in formation]

6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.

7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, how soever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.

8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.

[to Israel.

13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.

15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.

17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will rejoice over thee will rest in his love, he thee with singing.

will save, he with joy; he will joy over

18 I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, ho are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.

19 Behold, at that time I will unde all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get then praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. (C)

CHAP. III.

EXPOSITION.

(C) Promises of future restoration to Judah and Jerusalem, with exhortations to

gratitude and praise.-The picture bere drawn, by Zephaniah's inspired pencil, &f the rulers and higher classes of the ius

NOTES-Chap. III. Con.

[blocks in formation]

Ver. 7. Punished-Heb. "Visited."

Ver. 9. For then, &c.-Newcome, "Surely I will then pour out upon the people," &c. A pure language-Heb. "Lip." With one consent-Heb. "Shoulder;"" a metaphor taken (says Newcome) from the joint efforts of yoked beasts;' it is, however, equally applicable to the united efforts of labourers, carrying timber trees.

Ver. 11. In that day thou shalt not be ashamed, ke, -The Editor begs leave to suggest the propriety a this sentence being read interrogatively-In that day shalt thou not be ashamed?" &c. See Ezek xvi. 61; xx. 43.

Ver. 16. Slack-that is, in God's service. Ver. 17. He will rest-Heb. "Be still," or sile, in his love.

Ver. 19. I will get them praise, &c.—Hes, I will set them for a praise." Where they have be put to shame-Heb. "In every land of their shame."

HAGGAI-CHAP. I.

EXPOSITION.

bitants of Jerusalem, presents features of
horror and disgust. Her princes roaring
lions; her judges ravening wolves, so
covetous of prey, that they stop not to de-
vour what they obtain, but hide it in their
dens, and prowl again for more.
Her pro-
phets full of levity, and treacherous; and
her priests polluting the sanctuary, and
wresting the law of God! But the Lord
will arise to judgment, and make a prey of
them who have preyed upon his church.
In the midst of this depraved and guilty
ation, there is yet a poor and afflicted
people;" and while the rich and great are

consigned to deserved destruction, God will bring his poor and humble suppliants, even from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia. To them he will give "a pure lip;" humble and appropriate language. They shall take with them words, and turn unto the Lord, and say, "Receive us graciously, and love us freely." Humbled, but not depressed; contrite, but not desponding; they shall be received, not only with favour, but with rapture. God himself will "rejoice over them with singing," and will make them a name and a praise among all the nations of the earth.

HAGGA I.

INTRODUCTION.

HAGGAI, the first of those three Prophets who were sent to the Jews after their rern from the Babylonian captivity (the others being Zechariah and Malachi), lived out 520 years before the Christian æra. The occasion of his prophecy was, the stopge which was put to the building of the temple, after the foundation of it had been d, owing to the opposition of the Persian governors, and the Samaritans. The zeal of e people being thus checked, they applied themselves to the building of their own uses, and neglected the house of God; till moved, at length, by the exhortations of Prophets, they resumed the work, and completed it in a few years. The style of this ophet is, for the most part, plain and prosaic; interspersed, however, with some ssages of a highly poetic character.

CHAP. I.

N the second year of Darius the king, in the six month, in the first y of the month, came the word of e LORD by Haggai the prophet unto rubbabel the son of Shealtiel, goverr of Judah, and to Joshua the 1 of Josedech the high priest, say

2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, ing, This people say, the time is

not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.

3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4 Is it time for you, O ye to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

5 Now therefore, thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough;

NOTES.

HAP. I. Ver. 1. By Haggai-Heb. " By the hand Haggai." Shealtiel-otherwise "Salathiel," alled the son of Jechoniah, king of Judah. t. i. 12. Joshua the son of Josedech-which dech was the son of Seraiah, who was high-priest en Jerusalem was taken, and was slain at Riblah. ings xxv. 18-24.

r. 4. Cieled houses- such, it appears, were a -And this house lie waste.ary at this period.

Its foundation had been laid nearly fifteen years before. Ezra iii. 8.

Ver. 5. Consider-Heb. "Set your heart upon." So ver. 7.

Ver. 6. A bag with holes -Heb." Pierced through." Ver.9. Blow upon it-Heb. "Snuff at it," as animals when they refuse their provender. Newcome. Ver. 10. Therefore, &c,-See Deut. xxviii. 23, 24.

« السابقةمتابعة »