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ZEPHANIAH 2

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

1. This chapter has a word to the remnant of Judah (Zeph. 2:1-3). The prophet issues a divine call for repentance to the faithful few in Judah.
   
   
2. This chapter has the hope of the universal worship of YHWH (Zeph. 2:11; 3:9).
   
   
3. All nations who oppose YHWH will be judged, even powerful, arrogant Assyria (cf. Nahum).
   
   
4. Concerning Zephaniah's use of Hebrew poetic forms and imagery note D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks, p. 193.

   "Zephaniah is describing God's judgment on Assyria in the destruction of its capital, Nineveh. But for a poet it is not enough simply to state the fact. Zephaniah develops the point with a series of metaphors: lack of water replaces an abundance of water, animals replace people, the screech of owls replaces voices, rubble replaces finery, mockery replaces admiration. Metaphors are essential to the poetic development of basic concepts."

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:1-3
  ¹Gather yourselves together, yes, gather,
 O nation without shame,
 ²Before the decree takes effect—
 The day passes like the chaff—
 Before the burning anger of the Lord comes upon you,
 Before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you.
 ³Seek the Lord
 All you humble of the earth
 Who have carried out His ordinances;
 Seek righteousness, seek humility.
 Perhaps you will be hidden
 In the day of the Lord's anger.

2:1 "Gather. . .gather" These are repeated IMPERATIVES which occur only here.

1. BDB 905 II, KB 1154, Hithpoel
2. same root, Qal

The root is used of gathering dried chaff or stubble (cf. Exod. 5:7,12; Num. 15:32,33; 1 Kgs. 17:10). Another word for "chaff" (BDB 558) is used in Zeph. 2:2. Even the faithful remnant are about to be destroyed by the fire of YHWH's wrath (Zeph. 2:2c,d). They must "seek" Him (three Piel IMPERATIVES, Zeph. 2:3). Finding Him will result in

1. their humility (Zeph. 2:2b; 3:2, cf. 1 Kgs. 21:29)
2. their covenant obedience (Zeph. 2:2c)

Even then there is only hope (i.e., "perhaps," BDB 19 II, cf. Exod. 32:20; Amos 5:15, similar to Daniel's advice to Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 4:27 or Jonah 3:9) that YHWH will "hide" (BDB 711, KB 771, Niphal IMPERFECT) them, which is a word play on the prophet's name.

Godly individuals are impacted by national judgment. Sin, even forgiven sin, has terrible consequences in time.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES

▣ "nation" This term (goy, BDB 156) is used several times for the covenant people (i.e., Gen. 18:22; 22:18; 26:4-35:11; Exod. 19:6; Deut. 28:1), but in this context (judgment on surrounding nations of the ANE) it is a derogatory word about Judah's faithlessness. She is acting like the idolatrous, ignorant pagan nations (goim).

The MT has the VERB BDB 493, KB 490, Niphal PERFECT, which means "longing for," "deeply desiring" (i.e., Gen. 31:30; Ps. 84:2, JB). Here, it is negated. Judah did not long for YHWH (cf. Zeph. 1:6).

The translation "unashamed" comes from an Aramaic root for "shame," or literally, "become pale from embarrassment."

2:2 "Before the decree takes effect" The "decree" (BDB 349) refers to the covenant blessings and cursings of Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28.

The VERB is literally "born" (BDB 408, KB 411, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT). This is powerful imagery of God's word once given or released cannot be recalled (i.e., Isa. 55:11, note the Qal IMPERATIVE "seek" in Isa. 55:9).

I like the comment by David Baker in the Tyndale OT Commentary series, p. 103.

"The people are to respond quickly, because several things are imminent and soon to come, as shown by the threefold repetition of before, another allusion of the closeness of the Day of Yahweh (1:7,14). Here the day is described as relating to his anger (cf. La. 2:22), his fierce anger (3:8; cf. Ex. 32:12; Is. 13:9,13; Ho. 11:9; Na. 1:6) which comes upon the nation as a result of sin."

SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION, I.

▣ "the chaff" This is the disposable part of grain. It became an idiom of judgment (i.e., chaff blown by the wind, i.e., Ps. 1:4; Hos. 13:3). Here it denotes the rapid passing of time when repentance must be made before judgment is unleashed.

There is a word play between "gather" (Zeph. 2:1, BDB 905 II, "gather dry chaff") and this word (BDB 558).

▣ "the burning anger of the Lord" This is anthropomorphic language, yet there is the reality of YHWH's passion, zeal, and commitment to His covenant. Anger is what occurs when love is rejected, especially in the presence of great light (i.e., Scripture, cf. Nah. 1:2-3,6-7)!

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE

2:3 "Seek" This is a crucial term to denote faithful followers.

1. They are not idolaters, Zeph.1:4-5 (cf. Deut. 4:25-31).
2. They do not turn back, Zeph. 1:6a.
3. They do not cheat the poor, Zeph. 1:11 (usually "humility" is related to the poor, Exod. 22:21-41; Deut. 18:10; Mic. 6:8, but here for the faithful followers).

Here the VERB "seek" (BDB 134, KB 152), from Zeph. 1:6, is repeated three times in a Piel IMPERATIVE form. See full notes at Zeph. 1:6b.

Notice how this "seeking" is characterized here.

1. all you humble
   1. of Judah (one use of erets)
   2. of all the earth (see Zeph. 2:11, another use of erets)
2. disobedience to the covenant
3. live in righteousness

SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH

SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT

SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP

SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS

▣ "ordinances" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:4-7
  ⁴For Gaza will be abandoned
 And Ashkelon a desolation;
 Ashdod will be driven out at noon
 And Ekron will be uprooted.
 ⁵Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast,
 The nation of the Cherethites!
 The word of the Lord is against you,
 O Canaan, land of the Philistines;
 And I will destroy you
 So that there will be no inhabitant.
 ⁶So the seacoast will be pastures,
 With caves for shepherds and folds for flocks.
 ⁷And the coast will be
 For the remnant of the house of Judah,
 They will pasture on it.
 In the houses of Ashkelon they will lie down at evening;
 For the Lord their God will care for them
 And restore their fortune.

2:4-5 These verses reflect God's judgment on the surrounding nations. Many (NJB) have asserted that they formed the four points of the compass.

1. Philistia to the west (Zeph. 2:4-7)
2. Moab and Ammon to the east (Zeph. 2:8-11)
3. Cush to the south (Zeph. 2:12)
4. Assyria to the north (Zeph. 2:13-15, i.e., they invaded from the north)

2:4 "Gaza. . .Ashkelon. . .Ashdod. . .Ekron" These are four of the five major Philistine cities (cf. Jos. 13:3). Amos 1:6-8 also omits the city of Gad. This is why many believe that Zephaniah quoted from Amos. But Zech. 9:5-7 also omits "Gad." It was destroyed by Sargon II, King of Assyria in 711 B.C

▣ "Gaza will be abandoned" There is a sound play between

1. Gaza ‒ עזזה
2. abandoned/deserted (BDB 736 I, KB 806, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) ‒ עזובה

The Philistine city states will be destroyed and deserted, like Nineveh in Zeph. 2:13-14.

Also note the word/sound play between

1. Ekron ‒ עקרון
2. be uprooted (BDB 785, KB 784, Niphal IMPERFECT) ‒ עקר

Word/sound plays (not rhymes) are so common in Hebrew poetry.

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETRY

▣ "will be driven out at noon" The imagery of "noon" has several connotations.

1. God's judgment will blind sinners even at noon (the brightest time of day), cf. Deut. 28:29; Job 5:14; Ps. 37:6; Isa. 59:10 (i.e., YHWH's presence is brighter)
2. demonic attack ‒ Ps. 91:6; Jer. 15:8
3. an unusual time for attacking because (idiom of intense fighting of a surprise attack, cf. Jer. 6:4; Zeph. 2:4)
   1. bright light
   2. heat of the day
   3. time for lunch and rest

▣ "Ekron will be uprooted" "Ekron" (BDB 785) means "deeply rooted." Therefore, this is a Hebrew way of saying that the deeply rooted will be uprooted (BDB 785, KB 874, Niphal IMPERFECT).

2:5 "Woe" The Hebrew INTERJECTION (BDB 222) is sometimes positive,"alas" and sometimes negative, "woe."

1. some positive examples ‒ Isa. 55:1; Jer. 47:6; Zech. 2:6-7
2. negative examples
   1. Assyria ‒ Isa. 10:5; Nah. 3:1
   2. Syria ‒ Isa. 17:12
   3. Ethiopia ‒ Isa. 18:1
   4. Israel ‒ Isa. 1:4; 28:1; Amos 5:16-17
   5. Babylon ‒ Hab. 2:6,9,12,15,19
   6. Judah
      (1) Jehoiakim ‒ Jer. 22:18-19
      (2) Zedekiah ‒ Jer. 34:4-5; Ezek. 24:6,9

▣ "The nation of the Cherethites" They (BDB 504, KB 501) may refer to the VERB "cutter offs" (BDB 503, KB 506). Some assert that they are Cretans, as are the Philistines (cf. Deut. 2:23; Amos 9:7). They lived in the Negev (cf. 1 Sam. 30:14) and later were connected to the Philistines. Many of them were part of David's original army (cf. 2 Sam. 8:18). This is another play on the Hebrew phrase, "the cutter offs will be cut off."

▣ "The word of the Lord is against you" The Judge of the universe has made a verdict of judgment (cf. Amos 3:1)!

▣ "O Canaan" This was YHWH's promised land to His covenant people (cf. Gen. 15:18-21), but their disobedience caused it to be a land of judgment, not blessing. As YHWH took the Canaanites out of the land (cf. Gen. 15:16), so too, now the Israelites (i.e., Assyrian exile of the northern tribes, Babylonian exile of the southern tribes).

The differences in these English translations is because of the uncertainty of the Hebrew root.

1. כרה ‒ BDB 500 I, used in Zeph. 2:9 for "salt-pits," here "wells" or dug out shelters
2. כר ‒ BDB 499, pasture, cf. Ps. 37:20; 65:13; Isa. 30:23 (NRSV); different word for "pasture" used in Zeph. 2:6a and 7e (BDB 944 I, KB 1258)

2:7 "the remnant of the house of Judah" This refers to a few faithful, repentant Judeans (cf. Zeph. 2:3,9; 3:13).

The difficult issue of only a few being right with God continues in the NT (cf. Matt. 7:13-14; 22:1-14; Luke 13:22-35; see note online at Matt. 7:13-14).

Notice the play on the remnant "pasturing" on the coast and YHWH taking care of them (i.e., Psalm 23; John 10).

There may be one more word play between "restore" (BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal PERFECT) and the remnant being "repentant" (BDB 996, KB 1427).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE REMNANT, THREE SENSES

SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE IN THE OT

The MT has the VERB (BDB 823, KB 955, Qal IMPERFECT) meaning "to visit" (Peshitta). This visiting (i.e., personal presence) can be for

1. blessing ‒ other English translations (i.e., Gen. 21:1; 50:24-25; Exod. 13:19; Ps. 65:9; 106:4; Jer. 15:15; 27:22; 29:10)
2. judgment ‒ NJB, cf. Ps. 59:5; Jer. 6:15; 50:31 (often translated "punish")

▣ "fortune" This NOUN can be

1. fortune ‒ BDB 986 (Ketiv), Zeph. 3:20; Joel 3:1; Amos 9:14 (NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB)
2. captivity ‒ BDB 986 (Qere), Deut. 30:2; Ps. 126:1; Ezek. 16:53; 29:14 (NKJV, LXX, Peshitta)

Note how Jer. 48:46-47; 49:38-39 have both ideas.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:8-11
  ⁸"I have heard the taunting of Moab
 And the revilings of the sons of Ammon,
 With which they have taunted My people
 And become arrogant against their territory.
 ⁹Therefore, as I live," declares the Lord of hosts,
 The God of Israel,
 "Surely Moab will be like Sodom
 And the sons of Ammon like Gomorrah—
 A place possessed by nettles and salt pits,
 And a perpetual desolation.
 The remnant of My people will plunder them
 And the remainder of My nation will inherit them."
 ¹⁰This they will have in return for their pride, because they have taunted and become arrogant against the people of the Lord of hosts. ¹¹The Lord will be terrifying to them, for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place.

2:8 Notice the VERBS that characterize the children of Lot (Moab, Ammon, Gen. 19:30-38).

1. the taunts ‒ BDB 357, NOUN
2. the revilings ‒ BDB 154
3. have taunted ‒ BDB 357, KB 355, Piel PERFECT
4. became arrogant ‒ BDB 152, KB 178, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw, note Zeph. 2:10; Ezek. 25:3,8

2:9 "as I live" This is YHWH taking an oath by the veracity of His own name (YHWH)!

This is a word play on the covenant name for God, YHWH (BDB 217), and the VERB "to live" (BDB 217). He is the ever-living, only-living One. He has no stronger oath than to swear by Himself.

▣ "the Lord of hosts" Notice it is in a parallel relationship with "the God of Israel." "God" (Eloah, BDB 43) is the SINGULAR form of Elohim. It is used in Zeph. 2:7,9; 3:2,17.

SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS

SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C

▣ "Sodom. . .Gomorrah" See the account of their destruction in Genesis 19. This area was known for its tar pits and surface petroleum.

This term (BDB 355) occurs only in three places in the OT.

1. Job 30:7
2. Pro. 24:31
3. here

It denotes some type of weed that grows in uninhabited areas.

The phrase "a place of possession" (BDB 606; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 971) occurs only here and means "the weeds took possession of the destroyed, abandoned, and uninhabited area of God's judgment" on Sodom and now on all of Moab and Ammon.

▣ "a perpetual desolation" This is the word 'olam (BDB 761). It must be interpreted by its immediate context. This context shows clearly that this word does not always mean "forever," because this very land will be inhabited by the remnant of Judah.

SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam)

2:11 I think Zeph. 2:11 is a separate paragraph expressing a theological summary (i.e., one day all the nations will worship YHWH, cf. Exod. 19:5-6; 1 Kgs. 8:41-43,60; Ps. 22:27-29; 96:7-10; Isa. 2:2-4; 12:4-5; 25:6-9; 42:6-12; 45:22-23; 49:5-6; 51:4-5; 60:1-3; 66:20-23; Micah 4:1-4; Zeph. 3:9-11; Zech. 14:16-17; Mal. 1:11). And what a summary (i.e., YHWH's universal worship). It would be the theological opposite of Ps. 2:1-4.

The gods of the nations are nothing, vanity! Only the God of Israel is the true Creator Deity.

If this is true, the Bible is true; if it is not, we are left without hope. This is a violent universe. Humanity cannot survive here. If there is no God, there is no morality, no revelation, no salvation, no future, no hope. You must decide! You must live in light of that choice!

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (NT)

The VERBAL (BDB 431, KB 432, Niphal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) means "fear" and has two connotations.

1. terrify
2. awesome, respect

The question is to whom does "them" refer: the arrogant nations or their idols? If the first option is in the prophet's mind, then the word refers to the mighty acts of God that bring deliverance (cf. Deut. 10:21; Ps. 65:6; 66:3,5; 145:6).

God will destroy the idols but bring the people to Himself (cf. Zeph. 3:9-10)!

SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR

▣ "He will starve all the gods of the earth" There are two issues here.

1. The rare VERB (BDB 930, KB 1209, Qal PERFECT) means "make lean." It is used only here in Qal and in Niphal only in Isa. 17:4. This implies all sacrifices of the surrounding pagan nations will be stopped!
2. Does erets ("earth") mean
   1. the surrounding nations mentioned in Zeph. 2:4-15
   2. all the earth (cf. Zeph. 2:3b)?

SPECIAL TOPIC: LAND, COUNTRY, EARTH

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:12-15
  ¹²"You also, O Ethiopians, will be slain by My sword."
 ¹³And He will stretch out His hand against the north
 And destroy Assyria,
 And He will make Nineveh a desolation,
 Parched like the wilderness.
 ¹⁴Flocks will lie down in her midst,
 All beasts which range in herds;
 Both the pelican and the hedgehog
 Will lodge in the tops of her pillars;
 Birds will sing in the window,
 Desolation will be on the threshold;
 For He has laid bare the cedar work.
 ¹⁵This is the exultant city
 Which dwells securely,
 Who says in her heart,
 "I am, and there is no one besides me."
 How she has become a desolation,
 A resting place for beasts!
 Everyone who passes by her will hiss
 And wave his hand in contempt.

2:12 It is surprising that Ethiopia (BDB 469 I) is found in only one verse. It was a powerful nation in this period of time. Ethiopia controlled Egypt from 715 B.C. to 663 B.C. Zephaniah may have had family ties with this people group (i.e., Cushi, cf. Zeph. 1:1). Possibly it was only mentioned to complete the points of the compass (see note at Zeph. 2:4-15 above).

▣ "My sword" This is a theological comment on the sovereignty of God (i.e., one causality, cf. 2 Chr. 20:6; Eccl. 7:14; Isa. 14:24-27; 43:13; 45:7; 54:16; Jer. 18:11; Lam. 3:33-38; Amos 3:6). History is in His Hand!

2:13 "He will stretch out His hand" See note at Zeph. 1:4.

The VERB "stretch" (BDB 639, KB 692) is a Qal JUSSIVE, as are the next two VERBS in this verse.

1. "destroy" ‒ BDB 1, KB 2, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense
2. "will make" ‒ BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal JUSSIVE

Maybe this is a prayer for YHWH to judge the surrounding nations, i.e., "Let Him. . ."

▣ "Nineveh" See the book of Nahum for the sudden and complete fall of this ANE empire (612 B.C.) by a coalition led by Neo-Babylon. In Zephaniah's day this would have seemed impossible.

2:14 This animal terminology is often used of

1. total destruction
2. total deportation
3. cursed ground with elements of the demonic present

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

▣ "all beasts" The MT has "beasts of the nations" (NKJV). Although "nations" is given a "B" rating by the UBS Text Project, p. 378; "valley" or "field" makes more sense contextually (i.e., "nation," גוי [BDB 156] to "valley," גיא [BDB 161]).

▣ "Both the pelican and the hedgehog" This exact kind of animal (BDB 866, BDB 891) is uncertain (cf. Isa. 14:13; 34:11), but it seems from this context (i.e., "will lodge in the tops of her pillars") that both must refer to some type of bird that dwells away from human habitation (i.e., unclean birds of prey, cf. Deut. 14:12-18).

▣ "the threshold. . .the cedar work" This imagery was used of the destroyed pagan temples (see Zeph. 1:9; 2:11).

Some translations change "desolation on the threshold" to "the raven croaks on the threshold" (NRSV, NJB) or "raven in the doorway," following the LXX. The UBS Text Project, p. 379, gives "destruction" a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The questions are

1. Do the last two poetic lines of Zeph. 1:14 go together, referring to a pagan temple?
2. Does line f go with the animal imagery of lines a-e?

2:15 Nineveh thought she was impregnable but she was not!

1. now beasts dwell in her ruins
2. passers-by
   1. hiss ‒ 1 Kgs. 9:8; Jer. 18:16; 19:8; 25:9; 50:13; Lam. 2:15-16; Ezek. 27:36
   2. give hand gestures ‒ Job 16:4; 27:23; Ps. 22:7; Isa. 37:22; for similar gestures see Jer. 18:16; Lam. 2:15

▣ "I am, and there is no one beside me" This is language typically used to describe YHWH. It clearly illustrates the arrogance of Assyria.

SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. To whom is God speaking in Zeph. 2:1 and what does He want them to do?
2. What does it mean "to seek the Lord"?
3. Who is "the remnant of the house of Judah"?
4. What does it mean when YHWH takes an oath by Himself (Zeph. 2:9a)?
5. Why is Zeph. 2:11 so theologically significant?
6. What does the presence of wild animals in a city imply?
7. To what city is Zeph. 2:15 referring?

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