Zephaniah 2:9 KJV,ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zephaniah 2:8-11

The Moabites and Ammonites were both of the posterity of Lot; their countries joined, and, both adjoining to Israel, they are here put together in the prophecy against them. I. They are both charged with the same crime, and that was reproaching and reviling the people of God and triumphing in their calamities (Zeph. 2:8): They have reproached my people; while God's people kept close to their duty it is probable that they reproached them for the singularities of their religion; and now that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:9

Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel ,.... The Lord here swears by himself, by his life; partly to show how provoked he was at, and how grievously he resented, the injuries done to his people; and partly to observe the certain fulfilment of what is after declared; and it might be depended upon it would surely be done, not only because of his word and oath, which are immutable; but because of his ability to do it, as "the Lord of hosts", of armies above and below;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:9

The breeding of nettles - That is, their land shall become desolate, and be a place for nettles, thorns, etc., to flourish in, for want of cultivation. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zephaniah 2:9

Verse 9 In order to cheer the miserable Jews by some consolation, God said, in what we considered yesterday, that the wantonness of Moab was known to him; he now adds, that he would visit with punishment the reproaches which had been mentioned. For it would have availed them but little that their wrongs had been observed by God, if no punishment had been prepared. Hence the Prophet reminds them that God is no idle spectator, who only observes what takes place in the world; but that there is a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:8-10

3. The punishment shall fall next upon the Moabites and Ammonites, representing the east. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zephaniah 2:9

As I live . This is a common formulary to express certainty, God, as it were, pledging his existence to the truth of his declaration ( Deuteronomy 32:40 ; Isaiah 49:18 , etc.).. God calls himself, The Lord of hosts , therefore able to fulfil his threats; and the God of Israel , and therefore ready to punish wrongs done to his chosen people. As Sodom. This threat came home with particular force to the Moabites and Am. monites who dwelt in the neighbourhood of the Dead Sea, and had... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zephaniah 2:9

Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts - Life especially belongs to God, since He Alone is Underived Life. “He hath life in Himself” John 5:26. He is entitled “the living God,” as here, in tacit contrast with the dead idols of the Philistines 1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:36, with idols generally Jeremiah 10:10; or against the blasphemies of Sennacherib 2 Kings 19:4, 2 Kings 19:16, the mockeries of scoffers Jeremiah 23:36, of the awe of His presence (Deuteronomy 5:25 (Deuteronomy 5:26 in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zephaniah 2:8-11

Zephaniah 2:8-11. I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of Ammon These countries were destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, about five years after the destruction of Jerusalem: see the places referred to in the margin, where, as well as here, they are threatened with destruction, for their insulting over the Jews in their calamities. And magnified themselves against their border Have invaded their territories: see Jeremiah 49:1. Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and Ammon as Gomorrah ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Zephaniah 2:1-15

The certainty of judgment (2:1-15)In spite of the certainty of judgment, there is still hope for those who will turn to God in humility and faith. The only ones to escape the divine wrath will be those who renounce their former wrongdoing and determine to live in obedience to God (2:1-3).To impress upon the Jerusalemites that no sinners will escape God’s wrath, Zechariah gives them examples of coming judgment on neighbouring nations. The first judgment concerns regions to the west of Judah. The... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Zephaniah 2:9

saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 . the God of Israel. See note on Isaiah 29:23 . shall be as Sodom. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 19:24 , Genesis 19:25 ). App-92 . the breeding of nettles, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 29:23 , &c.) of My People. Some codices, with two early printed editions (one Rabbinic), read "of the nations". People = nation. possess = inherit. read more