Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
For—He makes the punishment awaiting the neighboring states an argument why the ungodly should repent (Zephaniah 2:1) and the godly persevere, namely, that so they may escape from the general calamity.
Gaza shall be forsaken—In the Hebrew there is a play of similar sounds, Gaza Gazubah; Gaza shall be forsaken, as its name implies. So the Hebrew of the next clause, Ekron teeakeer.
at the noonday—when on account of the heat Orientals usually sleep, and military operations are suspended (II Samuel 4:5). Hence an attack at noon implies one sudden and unexpected (Jeremiah 6:4-5; Jeremiah 15:8).
Ekron—Four cities of the Philistines are mentioned, whereas five was the normal number of their leading cities. Gath is omitted, being at this time under the Jews' dominion. David had subjugated it (I Chronicles 18:1). Under Joram the Philistines almost regained it (II Chronicles 21:16), but Uzziah (II Chronicles 26:6) and Hezekiah (II Kings 18:8) having conquered them, it remained under the Jews. Amos 1:6; Zechariah 9:5-6; Jeremiah 25:20, similarly mention only four cities of the Philistines.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Zephaniah 2:4:
2 Kings 1:2-8
Amos 1:8
Zephaniah 2:1
Revelation 19:20
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