Zephaniah 2 Study Notes
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2:1-2 The term for gather is related to the word for “straw, stubble.” Judah has become an undesirable nation. “They are no longer the apple of his eye, just worthless stubble to be dispensed with” (J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah). Therefore, they are exhorted to humble themselves before the Lord of mercy.
2:3 The triple occurrence of seek prescribes an antidote for idolatry and self-sufficiency—humbly seek the Lord and righteousness (1:6b; cp. Am 5:14-15), while waiting on him to respond (Zph 3:8). For God’s people who have sinned, seeking is essential to finding him (Dt 4:28-30; Hs 3:5; 10:12; cp. Zch 8:21-22).
2:4 In the Hebrew of this verse, similar sounding words (Gaza and abandoned) and puns (Ekron and uprooted) eloquently expressed judgment upon four of the five Philistine cities (Am 1:6-9; cp. Zph 2:5). An English approximation would be, “Gaza is a laughing stock; Ashkelon and Ashdod will be reduced to ashes.”
2:5-6 The relationship between the Cherethites and the Philistines is unknown, but here the nation and land seem to be identical. See also Ezk 25:16.
2:7 Restore their fortunes is an OT technical formula (lit “restore the captivity”) for total restoration, whether physical (cp. Jr 33:10-13) or spiritual (Ps 85:1-4; Jr 32:44; cp. Zph 3:20).
2:8-11 Unlike the previous prophecy of judgment against the Philistines, this prophecy gives reasons for the judgment. The prophecy against Moab and Ammon is in two parts. In vv. 8-9 the Lord speaks, and in vv. 10-11 the prophet speaks. Each speech consists of an indictment (vv. 8,10) and what the Lord will do as a result (vv. 9,11). In v. 8 the Lord himself testifies to their taunting and their insults because he himself has heard them.
shemamah
| Hebrew pronunciation | [sheh mah MAH] |
| CSB translation | desolation, wasteland, ruin |
| Uses in Zephaniah | 4 |
| Uses in the OT | 56 |
| Focus passage | Zephaniah 2:4,9,13 |
Shemamah, from shamam (be desolate), denotes desolation or desolate (Jr 34:22). It means ruin (Jr 25:12) or wasteland (Mc 7:13). Shemamah connotes in grief (Ezk 7:27). It occurs with “make” (siym, Jr 12:11; natan, Jr 34:22; ‘asah, Ezk 35:14), make desolate/a desolation, or destroy (Mc 1:7). Shemamah with shamam implies desolate waste (Ezk 33:28). Related shammah (39x) means devastation (Ezk 23:33) alongside shemamah. Shammah denotes desolate or desolation (Is 5:9). It suggests appalling, horrible thing, horror, or object of scorn (Jr 5:30; 42:18). With “make” (siym, Jr 4:7; shiyt, Jr 50:3; or natan, Mc 6:16), shammah is lay waste or make desolate (Jr 2:15). Both nouns with chorbah (“ruin”) imply desolate ruin. Related meshammah and shimmah (Ezk 33:29; 35:7) with shemamah indicate desolate waste. Meshammah (7x) elsewhere means desolate (Is 15:6) or horror (Ezk 5:15). Shamem (2x) means desolate (Jr 12:11). Shimmamon (2x) signifies dread (Ezk 4:16).
2:9 God’s universal judgment (1:2-3,17-18) allowed for godly survivors—the remnant of my people or my nation (cp. Am 5:14-15; 9:8b). This remnant was primarily of Judah (Zph 2:7) and ultimately of all Israel (3:12-13). Remarkably, the two primary characteristics of this human remnant that was allowed to plunder enemies were meekness and humility (3:12). The Lord would give the godly remnant the territory of other nations (2:7,9), reversing the curse of Dt 28:62-66. He also promised to bless the eschatological remnant (Zph 3:14-17), including the lame and other outcasts (3:18-19; cp. Mc 4:6-7).
2:11 The phrase starves all the gods may indicate that the Lord will literally cut off sacrifices (food and drink) to the “gods” (cult statues) by destroying (cp. 1:4; Jr 50:2-3; 51:43-44,52-53) or converting their worshipers (Zph 3:9).
2:12-15 God’s judgment will reach the south (v. 12) and the north (vv. 13-15).
2:13 The word also may indicate a connection with 1:4 where the Lord stretched out his hand against Judah and Jerusalem.
2:15 God will judge each jubilant city (Assyria, v. 15; Babylon, Is 47:8-10) that makes God-like claims such as I exist, and there is no one else (cp. Is 45:5-6,19,21).