---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Woe = Alas for! See note on \"For\", Zephaniah 2:4 .  her: i.e. Jerusalem. See the Structure, p. 1272.  filthy = rebellious.  polluted. Hebrew.  ga"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/zephaniah/3"
---

**Woe** = Alas for! See note on "For", [Zephaniah 2:4](../../../kjv/zephaniah/2/4) .
**her:** i.e. Jerusalem. See the Structure, p. 1272.
**filthy** = rebellious.
**polluted.** Hebrew. *ga'al,* (1) to redeem: (2) to make or deem common or unclean. A *Homonym,* with two meanings. Not the same word as in [Zephaniah 3:4](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/4) .

**she received not.** Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "neither hath she accepted".
**correction** = discipline.
**trusted** = confided. Hebrew. *batah.* App-69 . Not the same word as in [Zephaniah 3:12](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/12) .
**the LORD.** Hebrew. *Jehovah.* App-4 .
**she drew not near, &c.** Some codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "neither unto her God hath she drawn near".
**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim.* App-4 .

**gnaw not:** or, reserve not.

**light** = reckless.
**treacherous persons** = men (Hebrew. *'enosh,* App-14 .) of treacheries; placing the emphasis on the treachery.
**polluted** = profaned. Hebrew. *halal.* Not the same word as in [Zephaniah 3:1](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/1) . Reference to Pentateuch ([Leviticus 19:8](../../../kjv/leviticus/19/8) ; [Leviticus 21:23](../../../kjv/leviticus/21/23) ; [Leviticus 22:15](../../../kjv/leviticus/22/15) .[Numbers 18:32](../../../kjv/numbers/18/32); [Numbers 18:32](../../../kjv/numbers/18/32) ). App-92 .
**done violence, &c.** Compare [Jeremiah 2:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/8) . [Ezekiel 22:26](../../../kjv/ezekiel/22/26) .

**in the midst thereof.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Numbers 5:3](../../../kjv/numbers/5/3) .[Deuteronomy 7:21](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/7/21); [Deuteronomy 7:21](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/7/21) ). App-92 . Compare [Zephaniah 3:15](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/15) .
**iniquity.** Hebrew. *'avah.* App-44 .
**every morning** = morning by morning. See [Psalms 101:8](../../../kjv/psalms/101/8) .
**unjust** = perverse. Hebrew. *'aval.* See App-44 .

**towers.** See note on [Zephaniah 1:16](../../../kjv/zephaniah/1/16) .

**corrupted, &c.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Genesis 6:12](../../../kjv/genesis/6/12) , same word). App-92 .

**Therefore, &c.** The *Massorah* ( App-30 and App-93 ) calls attention to the fact that this verse ([Zephaniah 3:8](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/8) ) contains all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, including the five final letters. This implies that the verse takes in the whole purpose of Jehovah concerning Israel.
**upon:** or, for.
**saith the Lord** = [is] Jehovah's oracle.
**to the prey.** Septuagint and Syriac read "as a witness", reading *'ed* instead of *'ad.* Compare [Micah 2:2](../../../kjv/micah/2/2) .
**gather** = gather in. Not the same word as in [Zephaniah 2:1](../../../kjv/zephaniah/2/1) .
**assemble** = gather out.
**for all the earth.** See [Zephaniah 1:18](../../../kjv/zephaniah/1/18) ; and compare the Structure, p. 1272.
**the fire of My jealousy.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 4:24](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/4/24) ).

**then:** i.e. after all that is implied in [Zephaniah 3:8](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/8) . Note the order of the blessings in "9, 10": Gentiles first, and Israel after; But in "18-20-", Israel first, and Gentiles after.
**people** = peoples.
**a pure language** = a lip purified: i.e. a clean lip in contrast with "unclean" lips ([Isaiah 6:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/6/5) ).
**pure** = separated from that which is impure or unclean. Hebrew. *barar,* as in [Ezekiel 20:38](../../../kjv/ezekiel/20/38) . [Isaiah 52:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/52/11) .[Daniel 11:35](../../../kjv/daniel/11/35) ; [Daniel 12:10](../../../kjv/daniel/12/10) . The reference is, to being made fit for the worship of Jehovah, as the next clause shows. Compare [Zephaniah 1:4](../../../kjv/zephaniah/1/4) , [Zephaniah 1:5](../../../kjv/zephaniah/1/5) .
**that they may.** Some codices, with Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and may".
**consent.** Hebrew shoulder. Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the service rendered by it. It is not the Figure of speech *Metaphor* as alleged.

**suppliants** = worshippers. Hebrew. *'athar.* Occurs in this sense nowhere else. From *'ath* ar = to burn incense ([Ezekiel 8:11](../../../kjv/ezekiel/8/11) ); hence to pray or worship.
**the daughter of My dispersed:** i.e. My dispersed People [Israel].

**transgressed.** Hebrew. *pasha'* . App-44 .
**because of** = in.

**trust** = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. *hasah.* App-69 . Not the same word as in [Zephaniah 3:2](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/2) .
**the name.** See note on [Psalms 20:1](../../../kjv/psalms/20/1) .

**for they shall feed, &c.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Leviticus 26:5](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/5) , [Leviticus 26:6](../../../kjv/leviticus/26/6) ). App-92 .

**Sing, &c.** Figure of speech *Poeonismus.* App-6 .

**enemy.** Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "foes" (plural)
**in the midst, &c.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 7:21](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/7/21) ).
**see.** The Codex Hillel, quoted in the *Massorah,* ( App-30 and App-93 ) with some codices, three early printed editions (one Rabbinic, marg), Aramaean, and Vulgate, read, "fear"; but other codices, with nine early printed editions, Septuagint (?), and Vulgate, read "see", as in Authorized Version.
**evil** = calamity. Hebrew. *ra'a'.* App-44 .

**Fear thou not.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 7:21](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/7/21) ).
**be slack** = hang down.

**is mighty; He will save.** The Hebrew accents place the chief pause or emphasis on "save", implying not that He will save at some future time, but that He is an ever-present Saviour. Read "Jehovah thy Elohim is in the midst of thee, mighty to save [at all times]". Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 10:17](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/10/17) ).
**He will rejoice, &c.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 30:9](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/30/9) ). App-92 .
**will rest.** Hebrew will be silent. Septuagint reads "will renew thee"
**over thee.** The Hebrew accent places the emphasis on these two words.

**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".

**Behold.** Figure of speech *Asterismos* . App-6 .
**undo** = deal with.
**gather** = gather out, bring together what has been dispersed. Hebrew. *kabaz,* as in [Zephaniah 3:20](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/20) . Not the same word as in verses: Zep 8:18 , or as in [Zephaniah 2:1](../../../kjv/zephaniah/2/1) . Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 30:3](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/30/3) , [Deuteronomy 30:4](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/30/4) ). App-92 .
**I will get them, &c.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 26:19](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/26/19) ).

**for I will make you, &c.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 26:19](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/26/19) ). App-92 .
**turn back your captivity.** Hebrew, plural. Idiom for restoring blessings as aforetime. See note on [Deuteronomy 30:3](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/30/3) ,
**saith** = hath said.
****

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