For was not Israel a derision unto thee? was he found among thieves? for since thou spakest of him, thou skippedst for joy.
(Zephaniah 2:8, "I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people").
A derision. The Hebrew has the article: referring to Jeremiah 48:26 "Was not Israel (the whole nation) the object A derision. The Hebrew has the article: referring to Jeremiah 48:26, "Was not Israel (the whole nation) the object of derision to thee?" Therefore, as formerly, for its exultation over the calamity (2 Kings 17:6) of the ten tribes under the Assyrian Shalmaneser (Isaiah 15:1-9 and Isaiah 16:1-14), so now, for its exultation over the fall of Judah under the Chaldean Nebuchadnezzar, Moab is to "be in derision" herself. God takes up His people's cause as His own (Obadiah 1:10-13).
Was he found among thieves - (Jeremiah 2:26). Proverbial. What did Israel do to deserve such derision. Was he detected in theft, that thou didst so exult over him in speaking of him? Though guilty before God, Israel was guiltless toward thee.
Since - since ever thou didst begin speaking of him.
Thou skippedst for joy - at Israel's calamity (Calvin); or 'thou didst shake thy head' in 'derision' (Maurer).