Zephaniah 3:17. He will save, &c.— He will bring salvation; he will rejoice and be glad over thee; he will renew his love, and joy over thee with singing, as in a solemn assembly. Zephaniah 3:18. For I will take away those who oppressed thee; they shall be far from thee, that they may bring no reproach upon thee. Houbigant. read more
17. he will rest in his love—content with it as His supreme delight (compare Luke 15:7; Luke 15:10) [CALVIN], (Isaiah 62:5; Isaiah 65:19). Or, He shall be silent, namely as to thy faults, not imputing them to thee [MAURER] (Psalms 32:2; Ezekiel 33:16). I prefer explaining it of that calm silent joy in the possession of the object of one's love, too great for words to express: just as God after the six days of creation rested with silent satisfaction in His work, for "behold it was very good"... read more
III. THE DAY OF YAHWEH’S BLESSING 3:9-20Having finished the revelation dealing with God’s judgment of the world in a coming day (Zephaniah 1:2 to Zephaniah 3:8), Zephaniah now announced that He would bring great blessing to all humankind after that judgment (Zephaniah 3:9-20). As in the section of the book on judgment, he revealed God’s plans for the Gentile nations briefly first and then spoke extensively about His plans for Israel."Why did the prophets consistently close their books with... read more
B. The transformation of Israel 3:10-20Zephaniah had received from the Lord much more revelation about what He would do for Israel following the period of worldwide punishment. This section is also chiastic in its thought structure.A Israel’s purification Zephaniah 3:10-13B Israel’s and Yahweh’s rejoicing Zephaniah 3:14-17A’ Israel’s regathering Zephaniah 3:18-20 read more
2. Israel’s and Yahweh’s rejoicing 3:14-17Zephaniah arranged this psalm of joy over salvation as another chiasm."A Zion singing (Zephaniah 3:14 a)B Israel’s shouts (Zephaniah 3:14 b)C Jerusalem’s joy (Zephaniah 3:14 c)D Yahweh’s deliverance (Zephaniah 3:15 a, b)E Presence of Yahweh the king (Zephaniah 3:15 c)F No more fear (Zephaniah 3:15 d)G Jerusalem’s future message (Zephaniah 3:16 a)F’ No more fear (Zephaniah 3:16 b, c)E’ Presence of Yahweh the God (Zephaniah 3:17 a)D’ The mighty deliverer... read more
"The battle cry on the day of judgment (Zephaniah 1:14) will be replaced by the poignant hush of the reuniting of two lovers." [Note: Baker, p. 119.] In that day of blessing the people of Jerusalem will have plenty of reasons not to fear. One reason is that Yahweh their God will be in their midst (Zephaniah 3:15). He will be a victorious warrior having defeated all His enemies and all opposition worldwide (Zephaniah 1:2-3; Zephaniah 3:8). Like a bridegroom He will take joy in His people Israel,... read more
The Judgment upon the Evil Rulers of Jerusalem, and its ultimate Purification and RestorationLike Amos and Micah, the prophet sternly denounces the crimes of the ruling classes in Jerusalem, points out their ingratitude to Jehovah, and announces the doom that is inevitable. The gloom of the opening vv. is dispelled, however, by the hopes of restoration which appear to reflect a later age. Zephaniah 3:9-10, Zephaniah 3:14-20 have the exultant ring of Isaiah 40-55.1. Her that is filthy and... read more
(14-20) The blessedness of Jerusalem when she has been thus brought through suffering to glory. read more
(17) He will rest . . .—Better, He will keep silence in His love; He will exult over thee with a shout of joy. Unutterable yearnings and outbursts of jubilant affection are both the expressions of sexual love. By a bold anthropomorphism, both are attributed to the Heavenly Bridegroom, as He gazes on “a glorious Church . . . holy, and without blemish.” read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Zephaniah 3:17
"Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing."(See the comment under Zephaniah 3:16, which is also applicable here.) All of these verses are part of the Messianic prophecy which concludes Zephaniah, and all of them deal with the felicity, confidence, security, and joy of Christ's kingdom."Singing ..." is especially noticeable. The savage beats his tom tom; the Muslim shouts,... read more