RESUMPTION OF THE DENUNCIATION OF JERUSALEM, AS BEING UNREFORMED BY THE PUNISHMENT OF OTHER NATIONS: AFTER HER CHASTISEMENT JEHOVAH WILL INTERPOSE FOR HER AGAINST HER FOES; HIS WORSHIP SHALL FLOURISH IN ALL LANDS, BEG…
1¡Ay de la ciudad rebelde y contaminada y opresora!
2No escuchó la voz, ni recibió la corrección; no confió en Jehová, no se acercó a su Dios.
3Sus príncipes en medio de ella son leones rugientes; sus jueces, lobos nocturnos que no dejan hueso para la mañana.
4Sus profetas son livianos, hombres prevaricadores; sus sacerdotes contaminaron el santuario, falsearon la ley.
5Jehová en medio de ella es justo, no hará iniquidad; de mañana sacará a luz su juicio, nunca faltará; pero el perverso no conoce la vergüenza.
6Hice destruir naciones; sus habitaciones están asoladas; hice desiertas sus calles, hasta no quedar quien pase; sus ciudades están asoladas hasta no quedar hombre, hasta no quedar habitante.
7Dije: Ciertamente me temerá; recibirá corrección, y no será destruida su morada según todo aquello por lo cual la castigué. Mas ellos se apresuraron a corromper todos sus hechos.
8Por tanto, esperadme, dice Jehová, hasta el día que me levante para juzgaros; porque mi determinación es reunir las naciones, juntar los reinos, para derramar sobre ellos mi enojo, todo el ardor de mi ira; por el fuego de mi celo será consumida toda la tierra.
9En aquel tiempo devolveré yo a los pueblos pureza de labios, para que todos invoquen el nombre de Jehová, para que le sirvan de común consentimiento.
10De la región más allá de los ríos de Etiopía me suplicarán; la hija de mis esparcidos traerá mi ofrenda.
11En aquel día no serás avergonzada por ninguna de tus obras con que te rebelaste contra mí; porque entonces quitaré de en medio de ti a los que se alegran en tu soberbia, y nunca más te ensoberbecerás en mi santo monte.
12Y dejaré en medio de ti un pueblo humilde y pobre, el cual confiará en el nombre de Jehová.
13El remanente de Israel no hará injusticia ni dirá mentira, ni en boca de ellos se hallará lengua engañosa; porque ellos serán apacentados, y dormirán, y no habrá quien los atemorice.
14Canta, oh hija de Sion; da voces de júbilo, oh Israel; gózate y regocíjate de todo corazón, hija de Jerusalén.
15Jehová ha apartado tus juicios, ha echado fuera tus enemigos; Jehová es Rey de Israel en medio de ti; nunca más verás el mal.
16En aquel tiempo se dirá a Jerusalén: No temas; Sion, no se debiliten tus manos.
17Jehová está en medio de ti, poderoso, él salvará; se gozará sobre ti con alegría, callará de amor, se regocijará sobre ti con cánticos.
18Reuniré a los fastidiados por causa del largo tiempo; tuyos fueron, para quienes el oprobio de ella era una carga.
19He aquí, en aquel tiempo yo apremiaré a todos tus opresores; y salvaré a la que cojea, y recogeré la descarriada; y os pondré por alabanza y por renombre en toda la tierra.
20En aquel tiempo yo os traeré, en aquel tiempo os reuniré yo; pues os pondré para renombre y para alabanza entre todos los pueblos de la tierra, cuando levante vuestro cautiverio delante de vuestros ojos, dice Jehová.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. received not correction--Jerusalem is incurable, obstinately rejecting salutary admonition, and r…
received not correction--Jerusalem is incurable, obstinately rejecting salutary admonition, and refusing to be reformed by "correction" (Jer 5:3).
trusted not in . . . Lord--Distrust in the Lord as if He were insufficient, is the parent of all superstitions and wickednesses [CALVIN].
drew not near to her God--Though God was specially near to her (Deu 4:7) as "her God," yet she drew not near to Him, but gratuitously estranged herself from Him.
II
Versículo 3
II. roaring--for prey (Pro 28:15; Eze 22:27; Amo 3:4; Mic 2:2).
roaring--for prey (Pro 28:15; Eze 22:27; Amo 3:4; Mic 2:2).
evening wolves--which are most ravenous at evening after being foodless all day (Jer 5:6; Hab 1:8).
they gnaw not the bones till the morrow--rather, "they put not off till to-morrow to gnaw the bones"; but devour all at once, bones and flesh, so ragingly ravenous are they [CALVIN].
III
Versículo 4
III. light--in whose life and teaching there is no truth, gravity, or steadiness.
light--in whose life and teaching there is no truth, gravity, or steadiness.
treacherous--false to Jehovah, whose prophets they profess to be (Jer 23:32; Eze 22:28).
polluted . . . sanctuary--by their profane deeds.
IV
Versículo 5
IV. The Jews regard not God's justice manifested in the midst of them, nor His judgments on the guilt…
The Jews regard not God's justice manifested in the midst of them, nor His judgments on the guilty nations around.
The just Lord--Why then are ye so unjust?
is in the midst thereof--He retorts on them their own boast, "Is not the Lord among us" (Mic 3:11)? True He is, but it is for another end from what ye think [CALVIN]; namely, to lead you by the example of His righteousness to be righteous. Lev 19:2, "Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy" [MAURER]. But CALVIN, "That ye may feel His hand to be the nearer for taking vengeance for your crimes: 'He will not do iniquity' by suffering your sins to go unpunished" (Deu 32:4).
every morning--literally, "morning by morning." The time in the sultry East for dispensing justice.
bring . . . to light--publicly and manifestly by the teaching of His prophets, which aggravates their guilt; also by samples of His judgments on the guilty.
he faileth not--He is continually setting before you samples of His justice, sparing no pains. Compare Isa 5:4; Isa 50:4, "he wakeneth morning by morning."
knoweth no shame--The unjust Jews are not shamed by His justice into repentance.
V
Versículo 6
V. I had hoped that My people by My judgments on other nations would be led to amendment; but they a…
I had hoped that My people by My judgments on other nations would be led to amendment; but they are not, so blinded by sin are they.
towers--literally, "angles" or "corners"; hence the towers built at the angles of their city walls. Under Josiah's long and peaceful reign the Jews were undisturbed, while the great incursion of Scythians into Western Asia took place. The judgment on the ten tribes in a former reign also is here alluded to.
VI
Versículo 7
VI. I said, Surely, &c.--God speaks after the manner of men in condescension to man's infirmity; not …
I said, Surely, &c.--God speaks after the manner of men in condescension to man's infirmity; not as though God was ignorant of the future contingency, but in their sense, Surely one might have expected ye would under such circumstances repent: but no!
thou--at least, O Jerusalem! Compare "thou, even thou, at least in this thy day" (Luk 19:42).
their dwelling--the sanctuary [BUXTORF]. Or, the city. Compare Jesus' words (Luk 13:35), "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Lev 26:31-32; Psa 69:25); and used as to the temple (Mic 3:12). "Their" is used instead of "thy"; this change of person implies that God puts them to a greater distance.
howsoever I punished them--Howsoever I might have punished them, I would not have cut off their dwelling. CALVIN, "Howsoever I had marked them out for punishment" because of their provocations, still, if even then they had repented, taught by My corrections, I was ready to have pardoned them. MAURER, "Altogether in accordance with what I had long ago decreed (ordained) concerning you" (Deu 28:1-14, and, on the other hand, Deu. 28:15-68; Deu 27:15-26). English Version, or CALVIN'S view, is better.
rose early, and corrupted, &c.--Early morning is in the East the best time for transacting serious business, before the relaxing heat of midday comes on. Thus it means, With the greatest earnestness they set themselves to "corrupt all their doings" (Gen 6:12; Isa 5:11; Jer 11:7; Jer 25:3).
VII
Versículo 8
VII. wait ye upon me--Here Jehovah turns to the pious Jews. Amidst all these judgments on the Jewish n…
wait ye upon me--Here Jehovah turns to the pious Jews. Amidst all these judgments on the Jewish nation, look forward to the glorious time of restoration to be ushered in by God's precious outpouring of wrath on all nations, Isa. 30:18-33; where the same phrase, "blessed are all they that wait for Him," is used as to the same great event. CALVIN erroneously makes this verse an address to the ungodly; and so MAURER, "Ye shall not have to wait for Me in vain"; I will presently come armed with indignation: I will no longer contend with you by My prophets.
until the day--that is, waiting for the day (Hab 2:3).
rise up to the prey--like a savage beast rising from his lair, greedy for the prey (compare Mat 24:28). Or rather, as a warrior leading Israel to certain victory, which is expressed by "the prey," or booty, which is the reward of victory. The Septuagint and Syriac versions read the Hebrew, "I rise up as a witness" (compare Job 16:8; Mal 3:5). Jehovah being in this view witness, accuser, and judge. English Version is better (compare Isa 33:23).
gather the nations--against Jerusalem (Zac 14:2), to pour out His indignation upon them there (Joe 3:2; Zac 12:2-3).
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. For--The blessed things promised in this and Zep 3:10 are the immediate results of the punishment…
For--The blessed things promised in this and Zep 3:10 are the immediate results of the punishment inflicted on the nations, mentioned in Zep 3:8 (compare Zep 3:19).
turn to the people a pure language--that is, changing their impure language I will give to them again a pure language (literally, "lip"). Compare for this Hebrew idiom, Sa1 10:9, Margin. The confusion of languages was of the penalty sin, probably idolatry at Babel (Gen 11:1-6, Margin, where also "lip" expresses language, and perhaps also religion; Zep 3:4, "a tower whose top may reach unto heaven," or rather, points to heaven, namely, dedicated to the heavens idolized, or Bel); certainly, of rebellion against God's will. An earnest of the removal of this penalty was the gift of tongues on pentecost (Act 2:6-13). The full restoration of the earth's unity of language and of worship is yet future, and is connected with the restoration of the Jews, to be followed by the conversion of the world. Compare Isa 19:18; Zac 14:9; Rom 15:6, "with one mind and one mouth glorify God." The Gentiles' lips have been rendered impure through being the instruments of calling on idols and dishonoring God (compare Psa 16:4; Hos 2:17). Whether Hebrew shall be the one universal language or not, the God of the Hebrews shall be the one only object of worship. Until the Holy Ghost purify the lips, we cannot rightly call upon God (Isa 6:5-7).
serve him with one consent--literally, "shoulder" or "back"; metaphor from a yoke, or burden, borne between two (Num 13:23); helping one another with conjoint effort. If one of the two bearers of a burden, laid on both conjointly, give way, the burden must fall to the earth [CALVIN]. Christ's rule is called a burden (Mat 11:30; Act 15:28; Rev 2:24; compare Co2 6:14 for the same image).
IX
Versículo 10
IX. From beyond . . . Ethiopia my suppliants--literally, "burners of incense" (compare Psa 141:2; Rev…
From beyond . . . Ethiopia my suppliants--literally, "burners of incense" (compare Psa 141:2; Rev 5:8; Rev 8:3-4). The Israelites are meant, called "the daughter of My dispersed," a Hebrew idiom for My dispersed people. "The rivers of Ethiopia" are those which enclose it on the north. In the west of Abyssinia there has long existed a people called Falashas, or "emigrants" (akin to the synonym "Philistine"). These trace their origin to Palestine and profess the Jewish religion. In physical traits they resemble the Arabs. When Bruce was there, they had a Jewish king, Gideon, and his queen, Judith. Probably the Abyssinian Christians were originally in part converted Jews. They are here made the representatives of all Israel which is to be restored.
shall bring mine offering--that is, the offering that is My right. I prefer, with DE WETTE and Chaldee Version, making "suppliants" the objective case, not the nominative. The peoples: (Zep 3:8-9), brought to fear Me by My judgments, "shall bring as Mine offering My suppliants (an appropriate term for the Jews, on whom then there shall have been poured the spirit of supplications, Zac 12:10), the daughter of My dispersed." So Isa 66:20, "they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord." Compare HORSLEY'S view of Isa 18:1-2, Isa 18:7. England in this view may be the naval power to restore Israel to Palestine (Isa 60:9). The Hebrew for "Ethiopia" is Cush, which may include not only Ethiopia, but also the region of the Tigris and Babylon, where Nimrod, Cush's son (Gen 10:8-12), founded Nineveh and acquired Babylon, and where the ten tribes are mentioned as being scattered (Pe1 1:1; Pe1 5:13; compare Isa 11:11). The restoration under Cyrus of the Jews transported under Pharaoh-necho to Egypt and Ethiopia, was an earnest of the future restoration under Christ.
X
Versículo 11
X. shalt thou not be ashamed--Thou shalt then have no cause to be ashamed; for I will then take away…
shalt thou not be ashamed--Thou shalt then have no cause to be ashamed; for I will then take away out of the midst of thee those who by their sins gave thee cause for shame (Zep 3:7).
them that rejoice in thy pride--those priding themselves on that which thou boastest of, thy temple ("My holy mountain"), thy election as God's people, &c., in the Pharisaic spirit (Jer 7:4; Mic 3:11; Mat 3:9). Compare Jer 13:17, "mine eyes shall weep for your pride." The converted remnant shall be of a humble spirit (Zep 3:12; Isa 66:2, Isa 66:10).
XI
Versículo 12
XI. afflicted . . . they shall trust in . . . Lord--the blessed effect of sanctified affliction on th…
afflicted . . . they shall trust in . . . Lord--the blessed effect of sanctified affliction on the Jewish remnant. Entire trust in the Lord cannot be, except where all cause for boasting is taken away (Isa 14:32; Zac 11:11).
XII
Versículo 13
XII. nor speak lies--worshipping God in truth, and towards man having love without dissimulation. The …
nor speak lies--worshipping God in truth, and towards man having love without dissimulation. The characteristic of the 144,000 sealed of Israel.
none shall make them afraid--either foreign foe, or unjust prince (Zep 3:3), prophet, or priest (Zep 3:4).
XIII
Versículo 14
XIII. The prophet in mental vision sees the joyful day of Zion present, and bids her rejoice at it.
The prophet in mental vision sees the joyful day of Zion present, and bids her rejoice at it.
XIV
Versículo 15
XIV. The cause for joy: "The Lord hath taken away thy judgments," namely, those sent by Him upon thee.…
The cause for joy: "The Lord hath taken away thy judgments," namely, those sent by Him upon thee. After the taking away of sin (Zep 3:13) follows the taking away of trouble. When the cause is removed, the effect will cease. Happiness follows in the wake of holiness.
the Lord is in the midst of thee--Though He seemed to desert thee for a time, He is now present as thy safeguard (Zep 3:17).
not see evil any more--Thou shalt not experience it (Jer 5:12; Jer 44:17).
XV
Versículo 16
XV. Let not thine hands be slack-- (Heb 12:12). Do not faint in the work of the Lord.
Let not thine hands be slack-- (Heb 12:12). Do not faint in the work of the Lord.
16
Versículo 17
16. he will rest in his love--content with it as His supreme delight (compare Luk 15:7, Luk 15:10) [C…
he will rest in his love--content with it as His supreme delight (compare Luk 15:7, Luk 15:10) [CALVIN], (Isa 62:5; Isa 65:19). Or, He shall be silent, namely as to thy faults, not imputing them to thee [MAURER] (Psa 32:2; Eze 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" (Gen 1:31; Gen 2:2). So the parallel clause by contrast expresses the joy, not kept silent as this, but uttered in "singing."
17
Versículo 18
17. sorrowful for the solemn assembly--pining after the solemn assembly which they cannot celebrate i…
sorrowful for the solemn assembly--pining after the solemn assembly which they cannot celebrate in exile (Lam 1:4; Lam 2:6).
who are of thee--that is, of thy true citizens; and whom therefore I will restore.
to whom the reproach of it was a burden--that is, to whom thy reproach ("the reproach of My people," Mic 6:16; their ignominious captivity) was a burden. "Of it" is put of thee, as the person is often changed. Those who shared in the burden of reproach which fell on My people. Compare Isa 25:8, "the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth."
18
Versículo 19
18. undo--MAURER translates, "I will deal with," that is, as they deserve. Compare Eze 23:25, where t…
undo--MAURER translates, "I will deal with," that is, as they deserve. Compare Eze 23:25, where the Hebrew is similarly translated. The destruction of Israel's foes precedes Israel's restoration (Isa 66:15-16).
her that halteth--all that are helpless. Their weakness will be no barrier in the way of My restoring them. So in Psa 35:15, Margin, "halting" is used for adversity. Also Eze 34:16; Mic 4:6-7.
I will get them praise, &c.--literally, "I will make them (to become) a praise and a name," &c.
shame-- (Eze 34:29).
19
Versículo 20
19. make you a name . . . praise--make you to become celebrated and praised.
make you a name . . . praise--make you to become celebrated and praised.
turn back your captivity--bring back your captives [MAURER]. The Hebrew is plural, "captivities"; to express the captivities of different ages of their history, as well as the diversity of places in which they were and are dispersed.
before your eyes--Incredible as the event may seem, your own eyes with delight shall see it. You will scarcely believe it for joy, but the testimony of your own eyes shall convince you of the delightful reality (compare Luk 24:41).
Next: Haggai Introduction
Antiguo Testamento
Zephaniah — Capítulo 3
RESUMPTION OF THE DENUNCIATION OF JERUSALEM, AS BEING UNREFORMED BY THE PUNISHMENT OF OTHER NATIONS: AFTER HER CHASTISEMENT JEHOVAH WILL INTERPOSE FOR HER AGAINST HER FOES; HIS WORSHIP SHALL FLOURISH IN ALL LANDS, BEG…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1¡Ay de la ciudad rebelde y contaminada y opresora!
2No escuchó la voz, ni recibió la corrección; no confió en Jehová, no se acercó a su Dios.
3Sus príncipes en medio de ella son leones rugientes; sus jueces, lobos nocturnos que no dejan hueso para la mañana.
4Sus profetas son livianos, hombres prevaricadores; sus sacerdotes contaminaron el santuario, falsearon la ley.
5Jehová en medio de ella es justo, no hará iniquidad; de mañana sacará a luz su juicio, nunca faltará; pero el perverso no conoce la vergüenza.
6Hice destruir naciones; sus habitaciones están asoladas; hice desiertas sus calles, hasta no quedar quien pase; sus ciudades están asoladas hasta no quedar hombre, hasta no quedar habitante.
7Dije: Ciertamente me temerá; recibirá corrección, y no será destruida su morada según todo aquello por lo cual la castigué. Mas ellos se apresuraron a corromper todos sus hechos.
8Por tanto, esperadme, dice Jehová, hasta el día que me levante para juzgaros; porque mi determinación es reunir las naciones, juntar los reinos, para derramar sobre ellos mi enojo, todo el ardor de mi ira; por el fuego de mi celo será consumida toda la tierra.
9En aquel tiempo devolveré yo a los pueblos pureza de labios, para que todos invoquen el nombre de Jehová, para que le sirvan de común consentimiento.
10De la región más allá de los ríos de Etiopía me suplicarán; la hija de mis esparcidos traerá mi ofrenda.
11En aquel día no serás avergonzada por ninguna de tus obras con que te rebelaste contra mí; porque entonces quitaré de en medio de ti a los que se alegran en tu soberbia, y nunca más te ensoberbecerás en mi santo monte.
12Y dejaré en medio de ti un pueblo humilde y pobre, el cual confiará en el nombre de Jehová.
13El remanente de Israel no hará injusticia ni dirá mentira, ni en boca de ellos se hallará lengua engañosa; porque ellos serán apacentados, y dormirán, y no habrá quien los atemorice.
14Canta, oh hija de Sion; da voces de júbilo, oh Israel; gózate y regocíjate de todo corazón, hija de Jerusalén.
15Jehová ha apartado tus juicios, ha echado fuera tus enemigos; Jehová es Rey de Israel en medio de ti; nunca más verás el mal.
16En aquel tiempo se dirá a Jerusalén: No temas; Sion, no se debiliten tus manos.
17Jehová está en medio de ti, poderoso, él salvará; se gozará sobre ti con alegría, callará de amor, se regocijará sobre ti con cánticos.
18Reuniré a los fastidiados por causa del largo tiempo; tuyos fueron, para quienes el oprobio de ella era una carga.
19He aquí, en aquel tiempo yo apremiaré a todos tus opresores; y salvaré a la que cojea, y recogeré la descarriada; y os pondré por alabanza y por renombre en toda la tierra.
20En aquel tiempo yo os traeré, en aquel tiempo os reuniré yo; pues os pondré para renombre y para alabanza entre todos los pueblos de la tierra, cuando levante vuestro cautiverio delante de vuestros ojos, dice Jehová.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. received not correction--Jerusalem is incurable, obstinately rejecting salutary admonition, and r…
Versículo 3
II. roaring--for prey (Pro 28:15; Eze 22:27; Amo 3:4; Mic 2:2).
Versículo 4
III. light--in whose life and teaching there is no truth, gravity, or steadiness.
Versículo 5
IV. The Jews regard not God's justice manifested in the midst of them, nor His judgments on the guilt…
Versículo 6
V. I had hoped that My people by My judgments on other nations would be led to amendment; but they a…
Versículo 7
VI. I said, Surely, &c.--God speaks after the manner of men in condescension to man's infirmity; not …
Versículo 8
VII. wait ye upon me--Here Jehovah turns to the pious Jews. Amidst all these judgments on the Jewish n…
Versículo 9
VIII. For--The blessed things promised in this and Zep 3:10 are the immediate results of the punishment…
Versículo 10
IX. From beyond . . . Ethiopia my suppliants--literally, "burners of incense" (compare Psa 141:2; Rev…
Versículo 11
X. shalt thou not be ashamed--Thou shalt then have no cause to be ashamed; for I will then take away…
Versículo 12
XI. afflicted . . . they shall trust in . . . Lord--the blessed effect of sanctified affliction on th…
Versículo 13
XII. nor speak lies--worshipping God in truth, and towards man having love without dissimulation. The …
Versículo 14
XIII. The prophet in mental vision sees the joyful day of Zion present, and bids her rejoice at it.
Versículo 15
XIV. The cause for joy: "The Lord hath taken away thy judgments," namely, those sent by Him upon thee.…
Versículo 16
XV. Let not thine hands be slack-- (Heb 12:12). Do not faint in the work of the Lord.
Versículo 17
16. he will rest in his love--content with it as His supreme delight (compare Luk 15:7, Luk 15:10) [C…
Versículo 18
17. sorrowful for the solemn assembly--pining after the solemn assembly which they cannot celebrate i…
Versículo 19
18. undo--MAURER translates, "I will deal with," that is, as they deserve. Compare Eze 23:25, where t…
Versículo 20
19. make you a name . . . praise--make you to become celebrated and praised.