Zephaniah 1 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Zephaniah — He is thought to have been the great — grandson of king Hezekiah. In the days of Josiah — So he was cotemporary with Jeremiah and Ezekiel, and foretells what Jeremiah and Ezekiel did.

The remnant — Whatsoever remains of the idolatry of Baal. This place — Jerusalem. The name — Both the persons, and the memory of them. The Chemarims — Either called so from their black garments they went in, or, from their swarthy colour occasioned by the black smoak of incense: they were door — keepers, and sextons of Baal. The priests — The priests of Baal.

House — tops — On the flat roofs of their houses. And that swear — That mixt idol — worship, and the worship of the true God; that devote themselves to God, and Baal, or Malchim, that is, Moloch.

Hold thy peace — Thou that murmurest against God, stand in awe. The day — A day of vengeance from the Lord. A sacrifice — The wicked Jews, whom he will sacrifice by the sword. His guests — summoned the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the air, to eat the flesh, and drink the blood.

The princes — The great ones, who dreamed of shifting better than others, but fell with the first, 2 Kings 25:19-21. Children — Sons and grand — children, Josiah: Jehoahaz died a captive in Egypt, 2 Kings 23:34, Jehoakim died in Babylon, and was buried with the burial of an ass, Jeremiah 22:18-19, Jeconiah died a captive: and Zedekiah and his children, fared still worse. Strange apparel — The garb of foreigners, imitated by the wanton Jews.

In the same day — At the same time. Their masters houses — Either the oppressing kings, whose officers these were, or publick officers and judges, whose servants thus spoiled the poor. Violence — Goods taken by force, by false accusations, or by suborned evidence.

The noise — The great out — cry and lamentation. The fish gate — At which gate the Babylonians first entered into the city. The second — This gate was in the second wall of Jerusalem, which on that side was fortified with three walls. Crashing — Of things broken into shivers; possibly the noise of doors, windows, closets, and chests broken up. The hills — On which the city stood.

Howl — Cry aloud, and bitterly. Maktesh — The lower town. Merchant people — Who were wont to lodge in this place. That bear silver — That brought it with them to pay for what they bought.

I will search — God speaks after the manner of men, who searches dark places with candles. He will fully discover and punish. Their lees — In allusion to liquors, which not being poured out from vessel to vessel to refine them, grow thick and foul.

The voice if the day — The day which will come with a great noise.

A day — Of unparalleled calamities.

Like blind men — Not knowing where to go. As dust — As abundantly, and as carelessly as dust in the highway.

In the land — Therefore let not sinners be laid asleep by the patience of God; for when the measure of their iniquity is full, his justice will both overtake and overcome them, will make quick and thorough work.