Tyndale Open Study NotesZephaniah 2

Zephaniah's message from the Lord warns about worldwide judgment (Zephaniah 1:1–6). He urges his readers to repent (Zephaniah 1:7–13) before disaster strikes (1:14–18). He encourages them to seek the Lord and live righteously and humbly, hoping they may avoid his judgment (Zephaniah 2:1–3).

After describing the terrifying scene, Zephaniah urges his nation to repent and humble themselves before God.

Farmers threshed grain on windy hilltops. They tossed the mixed grain and chaff into the air. The wind blew the chaff away, while the heavier grain fell to the ground. The chance to repent was brief.

all you humble: True humility means submitting to and depending on God (Psalms 18:25–27; 119:142–144; Proverbs 15:33; 18:12; 22:4).

Zephaniah started his messages with the Philistines, whose kingdom was west of Judah (Zephaniah 2:4–7). He then addressed Moab and Ammon to the east (Zephaniah 2:8–11), and finally mentioned Cush (Ethiopia) to the south (2:12) and Assyria to the north (2:13–15).

Zephaniah first focuses on judging the foreign nations (Zephaniah 2:4–15). Then, he returns to judging Judah and Jerusalem (Zephaniah 3:1–8). Finally, he describes God's plans for his purified and obedient people (Zephaniah 3:9–20).

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered the Philistine cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron. Gaza remained deserted, but the others recovered and continued into later times. Zephaniah does not mention Gath, the fifth major Philistine city (see 1 Samuel 6:17), which had either disappeared or become unimportant by Zephaniah’s time.

Old Testament scholars think the Philistines came from the island of Crete (compare Ezekiel 25:16).

pastures … wells for shepherds and folds for sheep: The destruction of cities and their return to nature is a severe punishment from God. See also Isaiah 7:23–25; 13:19–21; 32:9–15; Ezekiel 35:9.

The Baal worshipers (Zephaniah 1:4) and the Philistines would never be restored (2:4–6; see also Amos 1:8). In contrast, God promised to bring back the remaining people to their land, care for them, and restore their prosperity (Zephaniah 3:18–20; Isaiah 11:11–16; Jeremiah 23:1–8; Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–31).

• The Moabites and Ammonites were traditional enemies of Israel. The Israelites often fought them (see 2 Kings 3:1–27; 2 Chronicles 20:1–30), and they remained enemies until the end (2 Kings 25:25; Jeremiah 40:11–14).

• taunted … threatened their borders: The Israelites faced repeated attacks from the Moabites and Ammonites (see Amos 1:13) and also suffered insults about their victories.

• The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah shows God's severe judgment of sin. This is evident in both the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 29:23; Isaiah 1:9; Jeremiah 23:14; Amos 4:11) and the New Testament (Luke 10:12; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6).

• salt pits: These are areas of ruin (Deuteronomy 29:23; Psalm 107:34; Jeremiah 17:6). Sowing the earth with salt was a sign of permanent judgment (see Judges 9:45) because it made the ground infertile.

nations … will bow in worship to Him: At the end of history, everyone everywhere will worship God alone (Zephaniah 3:9; Psalm 66:4; Micah 4:1–2; Zechariah 14:16).

Cushites: While the Hebrew term can refer to any nation or people along the southern edge of the known world of that time, here it refers specifically to the Ethiopian family of kings that ruled Egypt.

Zephaniah shifts focus from the south (Zephaniah 2:12) to the north. Like Nahum before him, he predicts the downfall of Assyria that would happen soon.

To emphasize Nineveh's fate, Zephaniah uses strong imagery. Rubble would block the doorways once used by Nineveh's wealthy and powerful. The haunting sounds of owls hooting in empty windows would highlight the city's desolation.

• ruin: The destruction was certain and could not be reversed (see Nahum 1:14; 2:13; 3:19). Zephaniah saw no future for Assyria or its capital. Nineveh was so completely destroyed that the Greek historian Xenophon passed by its ruins without knowing it was there.

• hisses and shakes his fist: Those who suffered under Assyria's cruel empire would feel glad seeing it come to an end.