Zephaniah 2 Study Notes
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Shemamah, from shamam (be desolate), denotes desolation or desolate (Jr 34:22). It means ruin (Jr 25:12) or wasteland (Mc 7:13). Shemamah connotes in grief (Ezk 7:27). It occurs with “make” (siym, Jr 12:11; natan, Jr 34:22; ‘asah, Ezk 35:14), make desolate/a desolation, or destroy (Mc 1:7). Shemamah with shamam implies desolate waste (Ezk 33:28). Related shammah (39x) means devastation (Ezk 23:33) alongside shemamah. Shammah denotes desolate or desolation (Is 5:9). It suggests appalling, horrible thing, horror, or object of scorn (Jr 5:30; 42:18). With “make” (siym, Jr 4:7; shiyt, Jr 50:3; or natan, Mc 6:16), shammah is lay waste or make desolate (Jr 2:15). Both nouns with chorbah (“ruin”) imply desolate ruin. Related meshammah and shimmah (Ezk 33:29; 35:7) with shemamah indicate desolate waste. Meshammah (7x) elsewhere means desolate (Is 15:6) or horror (Ezk 5:15). Shamem (2x) means desolate (Jr 12:11). Shimmamon (2x) signifies dread (Ezk 4:16).
2:9 God’s universal judgment (1:2-3,17-18) allowed for godly survivors—the remnant of my people or my nation (cp. Am 5:14-15; 9:8b). This remnant was primarily of Judah (Zph 2:7) and ultimately of all Israel (3:12-13). Remarkably, the two primary characteristics of this human remnant that was allowed to plunder enemies were meekness and humility (3:12). The Lord would give the godly remnant the territory of other nations (2:7,9), reversing the curse of Dt 28:62-66. He also promised to bless the eschatological remnant (Zph 3:14-17), including the lame and other outcasts (3:18-19; cp. Mc 4:6-7).
2:11 The phrase starves all the gods may indicate that the Lord will literally cut off sacrifices (food and drink) to the “gods” (cult statues) by destroying (cp. 1:4; Jr 50:2-3; 51:43-44,52-53) or converting their worshipers (Zph 3:9).
2:12-15 God’s judgment will reach the south (v. 12) and the north (vv. 13-15).
2:13 The word also may indicate a connection with 1:4 where the Lord stretched out his hand against Judah and Jerusalem.
2:15 God will judge each jubilant city (Assyria, v. 15; Babylon, Is 47:8-10) that makes God-like claims such as I exist, and there is no one else (cp. Is 45:5-6,19,21).