Zephaniah 3:8 - Exposition.

Therefore . Because of the outrage done to God's "long suffering," he must needs punish. Wait ye upon me; wait ye for me. The exhortation is addressed to the pious among the Jews, as in Zephaniah 2:3 , and is used in a good sense ( Psalms 33:20 ; Isaiah 8:17 ), urging them not to despair, but to be patient under the affliction, in the assured hope of salvation. The same expression is used in Habakkuk 2:3 . I rise up to the prey. This is a phrase denoting effort and the effecting of some great object. Jehovah seizes the prey when the nations, roused by judgment inflicted, are converted unto him ( Isaiah 53:12 ; Psalms 68:18 ). The LXX ; pointing the last word differently ( עד ), renders, εἰς ἡμέραν ἀναστάσεώς μου εἰς μαρτύριον : "until the day of my rising up for testimony." Jerome, "In die resurrectionis meae in futurum." The Fathers interpreted this of the times of Messiah — some, of Christ's resurrection from the dead; some, of his rising up to divide the spoil . But such interpretations are Mien from the intention of the passage, however allowable as glosses. For my determination is; literally, my judgment ( mishpat ) is. My justice is displayed, as Habakkuk 2:5 . The word, according to Keil, never means, "decree" or "decision." That I may assemble the kingdoms. Not for utter extermination, but to bring them to a better mind ( Isaiah 26:9 ; Joel 3:11 , etc.). Fire of my jealousy ( Zephaniah 1:18 ). God will allow no rival anywhere ( Nahum 1:2 ). This is the reason of the severity and universality of the judgment The Masorites note that this ' the only verse in the Bible which contains the whole Hebrew alphabet.