4 For Gaza is forsaken, And Ashkelon 'is' for a desolation, Ashdod! at noon they do cast her forth, And Ekron is rooted up. 5 Ho! O inhabitants of the sea-coast, Nation of the Cherethites, A word of Jehovah 'is' against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines, And I have destroyed thee without an inhabitant. 6 And the sea-coast hath been habitations, Cottages 'for' shepherds, and folds 'for' a flock. 7 And the coast hath been for the remnant of the house of Judah, By them they have pleasure, In houses of Ashkelon at even they lie down, For inspect them doth Jehovah their God, And He hath turned back 'to' their captivity.
8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the revilings of the sons of Ammon, Wherewith they reproached My people, And magnify 'themselves' against their border. 9 Therefore, I live, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, Surely, Moab is as Sodom, And the sons of Ammon as Gomorrah, An overrunning of nettles and salt-pits, And a desolation—unto the age. A residue of My people do seize them, And a remnant of My nation inherit them. 10 This 'is' to them for their arrogancy, Because they have reproached, And they magnify 'themselves' against the people of Jehovah of Hosts. 11 Fearful 'is' Jehovah against them, For He made bare all gods of the land, And bow themselves to Him, each from his place, Do all islanders of the nations.
12 Also ye, O Cushim, pierced of My sword 'are' they. 13 And He stretcheth His hand against the north, And doth destroy Asshur, And he setteth Nineveh for a desolation, A dry land like a wilderness. 14 And crouched in her midst have droves, Every beast of the nation, Both pelican and hedge-hog in her knobs lodge, A voice doth sing at the window, 'Destruction 'is' at the threshold, For the cedar-work is exposed.' 15 This 'is' the exulting city that is dwelling confidently, That is saying in her heart, 'I 'am', and beside me there is none,' How hath she been for a desolation, A crouching-place for beasts, Every one passing by her doth hiss, He doth shake his hand!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Zephaniah 2:4-15
Commentary on Zephaniah 2:4-15
(Read Zephaniah 2:4-15)
Those are really in a woful condition who have the word of the Lord against them, for no word of his shall fall to the ground. God will restore his people to their rights, though long kept from them. It has been the common lot of God's people, in all ages, to be reproached and reviled. God shall be worshipped, not only by all Israel, and the strangers who join them, but by the heathen. Remote nations must be reckoned with for the wrongs done to God's people. The sufferings of the insolent and haughty in prosperity, are unpitied and unlamented. But all the desolations of flourishing nations will make way for the overturning Satan's kingdom. Let us improve our advantages, and expect the performance of every promise, praying that our Father's name may be hallowed every where, over all the earth.