Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryZephaniah 1

Judgment Predicted.This section introduces the book of Zephaniah. It tells us who wrote it, when it was written, and why it is important. Zephaniah was a prophet who spoke God's message during the reign of King Josiah. He came from a royal family, possibly descended from King Hezekiah. Zephaniah's message is serious: God will bring judgment on Judah and Jerusalem because of their sins. The book begins with a warning of total destruction, showing how much God hates sin, even among His own people. The prophet also points out that true reform needs both good leaders and people who are willing to change.v. 1: The book starts by saying it is the word of the Lord

v. 2: God’s message begins suddenly: By taking away I will make an end of all things from off the face of the land, saith the Lord

v. 3: God says, I will consume man and beast; I will consume the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea . This reminds us of the flood, when every living thing was destroyed that was upon the face of the ground (Genesis 7:23 ). God made these creatures for people, but when people sin, even the animals suffer. This shows how serious God’s anger is. The words also mean that the whole land will be empty and ruined.

v. 4: God says He will stretch out his hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem . Even though Judah and Jerusalem are special to God, if they turn away from Him, He will punish them. God’s power and anger are very strong, and no one can stand against Him.

v. 5: God will punish those who worship idols, like the remnant of Baal and the Chemarim (idolatrous priests). Even those who worship the sun, moon, and stars on their rooftops will be judged . God is a jealous God and will not share His glory with idols. It does not matter if people think their way of worship is better or more beautiful—God will not accept it.

v. 6: God will also judge those who try to serve both Him and idols. Some people swear by the Lord

Judgment Predicted.This section warns Judah and Jerusalem that God’s judgment is coming soon. God will come, not as a loving Father, but as a just Judge, to punish those who have ignored His grace. The coming time is called the day of the Lord

v. 8: In this judgment, God will punish the royal family first. He says, I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel . This means God is angry with their pride and their desire to follow foreign fashions instead of the simple ways God wanted for His people. Even those of lower rank who copy these fashions will also be judged. God is displeased when people, especially leaders, are proud and forget their identity as His people (Ezekiel 16:10 ).

v. 9: Next, God will judge the noblemen, their servants, and those who gain wealth by violence. In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit . This phrase means invading other people’s homes to steal and take what is not theirs. Even if they claim they are just following orders, God will still hold them responsible for breaking His commandments.

v. 10: There will be loud cries and mourning throughout Jerusalem. In that day, there shall be a noise of a cry from the fish gate, and a howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills . The destruction will be so great that the whole city, from gate to gate and even the hills around, will be filled with the sound of fear and loss (2 Chronicles 33:14; Nehemiah 3:3 ; Zechariah 14:10 ).

v. 11: Business will stop and merchants will be ruined. Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off . The rich traders and goldsmiths will lose everything. The invaders will target these wealthy people first, taking their possessions and leaving them bankrupt. When the greatest businesses fail, many others will suffer too (Nehemiah 3:32 ).

v. 12: God will search out every person who thinks they can escape judgment. At that time I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees . These people feel safe and comfortable, enjoying pleasure and wealth. They think nothing bad can happen to them, like Moab who was at ease from his youth (Jeremiah 48:11 ). They have become careless and lazy, thinking, The Lord

v. 13: The punishment will be total loss. 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 . Everything they own will be taken by the enemy. Even new houses and vineyards will not benefit them, but will be enjoyed by their conquerors. This is a fulfillment of God’s warning that disobedience leads to losing the good things He provides (Deuteronomy 28:30 ).

Judgment Predicted.This section is a strong warning to Judah and Jerusalem about the coming destruction by the Chaldeans. The prophet uses powerful words to wake up people who feel safe and careless. He calls this time the day of the Lord

v. 15: This day will be terrible. It is called 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 . God’s anger will be complete. People will feel pain and see no way to escape. The land will become a wasteland. There will be no hope or comfort—only darkness and fear everywhere. This is like the misery described for those who reject God: indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish (Romans 2:8–9 ).

v. 16: The destruction will reach even the strongest places. It will be a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers . No fortress or defense can stand against God’s anger. The warning signals will sound everywhere, but nothing will stop the disaster.

v. 17: God says, I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord

v. 18: No one can escape this judgment, not even the rich. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord