From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, [even] the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
Ver. 10. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia] Heb. Of Chush, that is of Arabia Chusaea, which lay between Judea and Egypt. Confer Isaiah 18:1; Isaiah 18:7. Some understand it of Ethiopia, which is beyond the river Nile, and hath two very great rivers. See this in part fulfilled by that Ethiopian eunuch, Acts 8:26,40; neither may we think that he was alone in that country. Matthias the apostle is said to have preached the gospel to the Ethiopians (Euseb. i. 1). The large region of Nubia there had from the apostles' time (as it is thought) professed the Christian faith, till about two hundred years since it forsook the same (Alvarez, Hist. Aethiopic.). The kingdom of Habassia, held by presbyter John, are yet Christians, differing from us in a few ceremonies only. See Trapp on " Zep 2:12 "
My suppliants] My praying people, that ply the throne of grace, and multiply strong suits, pouring out a flood of words in humble supplication (as the Hebrew signifieth), continuing instant in prayer, as knowing that their safety here and salvation hereafter is of me alone.
Even the daughter of my dispersed] Jews and Gentiles, elect of both sorts, John 11:52, scattered here and there, as the salt of the earth upon the face thereof, to keep it from putrefying. Danaeus thinketh that there is mention made of the daughter of the dispersed affectionately; namely, both to describe the earnestness of the saints in serving God (for women, quicquid volunt, valde volunt whatever they wish, they greatly prefer), and that this so goodly and joyful a spectacle or sight of women worshipping and serving God, and of virgins especially, might stir up and move affections. It is easy to observe that the New Testament affordeth more store of good women than the old, who can make masculine prayers, mingled with tears; and as music upon the waters sounds further and more harmoniously than upon the land, so do prayers well watered.
Shall bring mine offering] Heb. My meat offering, or rather my wheat offering (Minchathi), their bodies and souls, Romans 12:1, that best of sacrifices, for a reasonable service, a solemn present; such that the Chaldee paraphrast might express; he translateth it thus: They shall bring as presents unto me the banished of my people, who were carried captive, and shall return by my mercies. Some think that here is foretold the return of the Jews to their own land, toward the end of the world, to set up the spiritual worship of God there; the famous Church that shall be among them, full of sanctity and rid of all wicked ones, Zephaniah 3:11,13, the joy and gladness that shall possess their souls, Zephaniah 3:14, through God's removing of all cause of fear from them, Zephaniah 3:15, the encouragement they shall receive from others, Zephaniah 3:16, and (which is the cause of all this) the apparent arguments of God's great love and favour, Zephaniah 3:17, the quality of those that shall be received to be citizens of this New Jerusalem, Zephaniah 3:18, the utter rooting out of all their enemies, the fame and dignity that this Church of the Jews shall be of among all nations, Zephaniah 3:19,20. Thus they: quam recte iudicium sit penes Lectorem.