Zephaniah 3:18

I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. I WILL GATHER THEM THAT ARE SORROWFUL FOR THE SOLEMN ASSEMBLY - pining after the solemn assembly which they cannot celebrate in exile (; ). They who would not "gather themselves" to it when they could (), could not when they would. But hereafter they shall have both the will and the power. WHO ARE OF THEE - i:e., who are of thy true citizens; and whom therefore I will restore. TO WHOM THE REPROACH OF IT WAS A BURDEN - i:e., to whom thy reproach ("the reproach of my people,...

He proceeds here with the same subject, but in different words; for except some consolation had been introduced, what the Prophet has hitherto said would have been frigid; for he had promised them joy, he had exhorted the chosen of God to offer praise and thanksgiving; but they were at the same time in a most miserable state. It was hence necessary to add this declaration respecting the exiles being gathered. But he says _at the time_. Some read, in respect to time; but this is obscure and strained. Others render it, at the time; but it means strictly from the time; though מ, _mem_, may sometimes be rendered as a particle of comparison. Interpreters do not seem to me rightly to understand the Prophet’s meaning: for I do not doubt but that he points out here the fixed time of deliverance, as though he had said, I will again gather thine afflicted, and those who have endured thy reproach....

14-20 After the promises of taking away sin, follow promises of taking away trouble. When the cause is removed, the effect will cease. What makes a people holy, will make them happy. The precious promises made to the purified people, were to have full accomplishment in the gospel. These verses appear chiefly to relate to the future conversion and restoration of Israel, and the glorious times which are to follow. They show the abundant peace, comfort, and prosperity of the church, in the happy times yet to come. He will save; he will be Jesus; he will answer the name, for he will save his people from their sins. Before the glorious times foretold, believers would be sorrowful, and objects of reproach. But the Lord will save the weakest believer, and cause true Christians to be greatly honoured where they had been treated with contempt. One act of mercy and grace shall serve, both to gath...

Verse Zephaniah 3:18. _I WILL GATHER - SORROWFUL_] This may refer to those who, during the captivity, mourned for their former religious assemblies; and who were _reproached_ by their enemies, because they could not enjoy their religious solemnities. See Psalms 137:1: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song," c. This very circumstance may be the reference here....

I WILL GATHER THEM THAT ARE SORROWFUL - for the solemn assembly, in which they were to “rejoice” Leviticus 23:40; Deuteronomy 12:12, Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 27:7 before God and which in their captivity God made to cease. “They were of thee” Lamentations 1:4; Lamentations 2:6, the t

EXPOSITION. ZEPHANIAH 3:1 § 6. The prophet turns to Jerusalem, and warns her that, if God punishes the heathen, he will not spare the hardened sinners in Judah. ZEPHANIAH 3:1 WOE TO HER! This is addressed to Jerusalem, as is seen by Zephaniah 3:2. FILTHY; rather, _rebellious, i.e._ against God. The LXX; mistaking the word, renders ἐπιφανής, "notable." So the Syriac. Jerome has _provocatrix. _The true sense is seen by the expansion of the term in Zephaniah 3:2. polluted by her many sins. Jerome, follo

I WILL GATHER [THEM THAT ARE] SORROWFUL FOR THE SOLEMN ASSEMBLY,.... Who are grieved and troubled, because they cannot meet at the time and place of religious worship, or attend the word and ordinances of the Lord; either through distance of place, or infirmity of body; or through the menaces and persecutions of men: and to be prevented the use of the means of grace, upon any account, is a great concern of mind to truly gracious souls: or who are filled with grief and sorrow "for the appointed time" u; for the time of the Jews' deliverance from their present exile, and return to their own land, which seems to be delayed, and thought long; and so it may seem to some of them in distant parts, after they are converted; and for whose encouragement this is said, that the Lord will in his own due time and way gather such out of all places where they are, into his church, and among his people,...

CHAPTER 3:8-20 Judgment and Glory _ 1. The waiting for the end (Zephaniah 3:8) _ 2. The glory that follows (Zephaniah 3:9) Zephaniah 3:8. “Therefore wait for me, saith Jehovah, for the day when I arise for the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, to assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.” This verse leads us back to the opening exhortation of this chapter. They are as a nation to wait for Him, till the day comes in which He arises to execute the judgment of the nations. It has been a long waiting. Centuries have come and gone; His earthly people have been the wanderers

THE DELIVERANCE OF JERUSALEM, AND RENOWN OF REDEEMED ISRAEL. Zephaniah 3:8; Zephaniah 3:11. Let Yahweh's faithful people wait patiently till the day when He shall stand as a witness against the nations that oppress them. For it is His purpose to assemble them together for judgment, to pour out the fire of His jealousy upon them, and out of the depths of shame to bring the remnant of Israel to honour and glory, and to abiding righteousness and peace. For on the day of judgment Yahweh will remove from their midst all the proud and haughty ones that caused their dishonour, leaving a people humble and poor, trusting only in the name of Yahweh. ZEPHANIAH 3:8. For _le- ad_, to the prey, read le-

SORROWFUL FOR. Supply the _Ellipsis_. "sorrowful for [the cessation of]". SOLEMN ASSEMBLY. appointed season. A BURDEN. Some codices, with one early printed edition (Rabbinic, margin), Aramaean, and Syriac, read "aburden on thee"....