Zephaniah 3

10. From beyond . . . Ethiopia my suppliants--literally, "burners of incense" (compare Psalms 141:2 , Revelation 5:8 , Revelation 8:3 Revelation 8:4 ). 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: ( Zephaniah 3:8 Zephaniah 3:9 ), 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, Zechariah 12:10 ), the daughter of My dispersed." So Isaiah 66:20 , "they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord." Compare HORSLEY'S view of Isaiah 18:1 Isaiah 18:2 Isaiah 18:7 . England in this view may be the naval power to restore Israel to Palestine ( Isaiah 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 ( Genesis 10:8-12 ), founded Nineveh and acquired Babylon, and where the ten tribes are mentioned as being scattered ( 1 Peter 1:1 , 5:13 ; compare Isaiah 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.

11. 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 ( Zephaniah 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 ( Jeremiah 7:4 , Micah 3:11 , Matthew 3:9 ). Compare Jeremiah 13:17 , "mine eyes shall weep for your pride." The converted remnant shall be of a humble spirit ( Zephaniah 3:12 , Isaiah 66:2 Isaiah 66:10 ).

12. 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 ( Isaiah 14:32 , Zechariah 11:11 ).

13. 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 ( Zephaniah 3:3 ), prophet, or priest ( Zephaniah 3:4 ).

14. The prophet in mental vision sees the joyful day of Zion present, and bids her rejoice at it.

15. The cause for joy: "The Lord hath taken away thy judgments," namely, those sent by Him upon thee. After the taking away of sin ( Zephaniah 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 ( Zephaniah 3:17 ).
not see evil any more--Thou shalt not experience it ( Jeremiah 5:12 , 44:17 ).

16. Let not thine hands be slack--( Hebrews 12:12 ). Do not faint in the work of the Lord.

17. he will rest in his love--content with it as His supreme delight (compare Luke 15:7 Luke 15:10 ) [CALVIN], ( Isaiah 62:5 , 65:19 ). Or, He shall be silent, namely as to thy faults, not imputing them to thee [MAURER] ( Psalms 32:2 , Ezekiel 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" ( Genesis 1:31 , 2:2 ). So the parallel clause by contrast expresses the joy, not kept silent as this, but uttered in "singing."

18. sorrowful for the solemn assembly--pining after the solemn assembly which they cannot celebrate in exile ( Lamentations 1:4 , 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," Micah 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 Isaiah 25:8 , "the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth."

19. undo--MAURER translates, "I will deal with," that is, as they deserve. Compare Ezekiel 23:25 , where the Hebrew is similarly translated. The destruction of Israel's foes precedes Israel's restoration ( Isaiah 66:15 Isaiah 66:16 ).
her that halteth--all that are helpless. Their weakness will be no barrier in the way of My restoring them. So in Psalms 35:15 , Margin, "halting" is used for adversity. Also Ezekiel 34:16 , Micah 4:6 Micah 4:7 .
I will get them praise, &c.--literally, "I will make them (to become) a praise and a name," &c.
shame--( Ezekiel 34:29 ).

20. 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 Luke 24:41 ).