Zephaniah 1:4
"I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;"

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah,.... Under whom the tribe of Benjamin is comprehended, which are only designed; the ten tribes having been carried captive in Hezekiah's time many years before this: not "to Judah", as beckoning to come and hearken to him, as calling to repentance and reformation; this he had done, but was rejected, and therefore determines to stretch out his hand "upon" them; nor "over Judah", to protect and defend them; but "upon Judah", exerting his power, stirring up his wrath, and executing his vengeance; and this is dreadful and intolerable to bear! and when his hand is stretched out, it cannot be turned back; and when laid on, can never be removed, till he pleases: and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the metropolis of Judea,

the royal seat of the kings of the house of David; where were the temple of the Lord; the ark, the symbol of his presence; the altar, where his priests sacrificed, and the place where his people worshipped; and yet these inhabitants should not escape the hand of the Lord, having sinned against him; nor should these things be any security to them: and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place; either what of the idolatry of Baal, or belonging to it, remained among the Jews after the ten tribes were carried captive; which must be the sense, if this prophecy was before the reformation was begun by Josiah; or, if after, the meaning is, what was left unremoved by him, as any of the images of Baal, or altars erected for his worship, or vessels consecrated to his service, or groves that were for his use; all which would be cut off and destroyed by the Chaldeans, as well as the worshippers of him that remained: and the name of the Chemarims with the priests; that is, the priests of Baal, with the priests of the tribe of Levi, who sometimes tampered and officiated with them in idolatrous service; for the word "Chemarim" is translated "idolatrous priests", Kg2 23:5 said to be put down by Josiah, in whose days Zephaniah prophesied; and must be the same with these, and it is used for such in Hos 10:5 so called, either from the black garments they wore, as some think; or from the colour of their faces, smutted with the smoke of the incense they frequently offered; or of the fires in which they sacrificed, or made the children to pass through to Molech. Hillerus (k) thinks they are the same with those heathen priests called "Phallophori"; deriving the word from one in the Arabic language, which has the signification of the "Phalli"; which were obscene images, carried about in an impudent manner by the priests of Bacchus, in the performance of his sacred rites: the carrying of them was first instituted by Isis, as Plutarch (l) says; and if this was the case here, it is no wonder they should be so severely threatened. Some take them to be a sort of servants or ministers to the priests of Baal, who waited on them at the time of service; and so are distinguished from them in this clause, taking the word "priests" in it to design the priests of Baal; and the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the name of sextons with the priests". The word is used now by the Jews for Popish monks that live in cloisters; and Elias Levita (m) thinks these here are so called from their living in such like recluse places. The Targum is, "and the name of their worshippers with their priests;'' one and the other; priests of Baal, and apostate priests of the Lord; the worshippers of Baal, and those that attend upon his priests, shall all feel the weight of Jehovah's hand, and the lighting down of his arm with indignation. (k) Onomastic. Sacr. p. 113. (l) De Iside & Osiride. (m) Tishbi, p. 163. Vid. Buxtorf. Lex. Talmud. in voce

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (20 words)

H5186 נָטָה
Definition:

19+; 3 feminine singularנָָֽכְתָהNumbers 22:33; 2masculine singularנָטִיתָExodus 15:12; 3pluralנָטוּPsalm 21:42;Isaiah 45:12,נָטָ֫יוּPsalm 73:2Qr, etc.;ImperfectיִטֶּהJob 15:29, jussiveיֵטZephaniah 2: 19+; 3 feminine singularנָָֽכְתָהNumbers 22:33; 2masculine singularנָטִיתָExodus 15:12; 3pluralנָטוּPsalm 21:42;Isaiah 45:12,נָטָ֫יוּPsalm 73:2Qr, etc.;ImperfectיִטֶּהJob 15:29, jussiveיֵטZephaniah 2:

Possible Meanings:
  • stretch out (semantic_range)
  • spread out (semantic_range)
  • extend (semantic_range)
  • incline (semantic_range)
  • bend (semantic_range)
H3027 יָד
Definition:

26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G 26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G

Possible Meanings:
  • power (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3063 יְהוּדָה
Definition:

35;Genesis 49:8(q. v. below) as if derived from Hoph`al ofידה=praised, object of praise(onהcompare Hiph`ilאֲהוֺדֶ֑נּוּPsalm 28:7,יְהוֺדֶהNehemiah 11:17), but this dubious; relation toיְהֻד, II.יְהוּדִ 35;Genesis 49:8(q. v. below) as if derived from Hoph`al ofידה=praised, object of praise(onהcompare Hiph`ilאֲהוֺדֶ֑נּוּPsalm 28:7,יְהוֺדֶהNehemiah 11:17), but this dubious; relation toיְהֻד, II.יְהוּדִ

Possible Meanings:
  • Judah (semantic_range)
  • son of Jacob and Leah (semantic_range)
  • tribe (semantic_range)
  • nation (semantic_range)
  • land of Judah (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H3427 יָשַׁב
Definition:

8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face 8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face

Possible Meanings:
  • remain (semantic_range)
H3389 יְרוּשָׁלַם
Definition:

10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1 10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1

Possible Meanings:
  • Jerusalem (semantic_range)
H3772 כָּרַת
Definition:

1819t.; 2 masculine singularכָּרָ֑תָּDeuteronomy 20:20; 1singularכָּרַתִּיExodus 34:2715t.; + 8 t. Perfect;ImperfectיִכְרֹתJob 40:2821t.; 2 masculine singularתִּכְרָתֿIsaiah 57:8; 1singularאֶכְרוֺתIsa 1819t.; 2 masculine singularכָּרָ֑תָּDeuteronomy 20:20; 1singularכָּרַתִּיExodus 34:2715t.; + 8 t. Perfect;ImperfectיִכְרֹתJob 40:2821t.; 2 masculine singularתִּכְרָתֿIsaiah 57:8; 1singularאֶכְרוֺתIsa

Possible Meanings:
  • cut off (semantic_range)
  • cut down (semantic_range)
  • cut off (semantic_range)
  • cut down (semantic_range)
  • hew (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H4725 מָקוֹם
Definition:

Places Chosen by God• From Creation onward, God orders space. “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place” (Genesis 1:9).• After the flood, mountains of Ararat become a place of rest Places Chosen by God• From Creation onward, God orders space. “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place” (Genesis 1:9).• After the flood, mountains of Ararat become a place of rest

Possible Meanings:
  • standing-place (semantic_range)
  • standing-place (semantic_range)
  • station (semantic_range)
  • post (semantic_range)
H2088 זֶה
Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H7605 שְׁאָר
Definition:

14rest, residue, remnant( =יֶתֶר, especially Isaiah and late; on form Köii. 1, 141NöBeitr. r. Semitic W. 30); —׳שׁabsoluteIsaiah 14:22+, constructIsaiah 10:19+; —rest, residue, remainder, of treesIsai 14rest, residue, remnant( =יֶתֶר, especially Isaiah and late; on form Köii. 1, 141NöBeitr. r. Semitic W. 30); —׳שׁabsoluteIsaiah 14:22+, constructIsaiah 10:19+; —rest, residue, remainder, of treesIsai

H1168 בַּעַל
Definition:

The same asba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity -- Baal, (plural) Baalim.see HEBREWba'alTopical LexiconOverview of Baal Worship in the Old TestamentBaal appears in Scripture as the chief male deity of the The same asba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity -- Baal, (plural) Baalim.see HEBREWba'alTopical LexiconOverview of Baal Worship in the Old TestamentBaal appears in Scripture as the chief male deity of the

Possible Meanings:
  • owner (semantic_range)
  • lord (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H8034 שֵׁם
Definition:

9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz 9name(√ unknown; Thesשׁמה, compare BaZMG xli (1887), 635; LagBN 160ושׁם, Arabicbrand, mark, compare RSK 213, 303 ff.Köii. 1. 104; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew (especiallyהַשֵּׁם=יהוה); PhoenicianשםLz

H3649 כָּמָר
Definition:

Tabl, xxvi; Or. Dipl. 92; WklTA. 1, 15, 33 leaves untranslated); — plural absolute, in O.T. only of idol-priests;הַכְּמָרִים2 Kings 23:5,כְּמָרָיוHosea 10:5,עִםהַֿכֹּהֲנִים׳הַכּZephaniah 1:4. InHosea Tabl, xxvi; Or. Dipl. 92; WklTA. 1, 15, 33 leaves untranslated); — plural absolute, in O.T. only of idol-priests;הַכְּמָרִים2 Kings 23:5,כְּמָרָיוHosea 10:5,עִםהַֿכֹּהֲנִים׳הַכּZephaniah 1:4. InHosea

H5973 עִם
Definition:

compare √ענד), without difference of meaning (עמיin PentateuchGenesis 31:31;Genesis 39:7,12,14;Exodus 33:12;Leviticus 26:21,23,27,40 [H]Numbers 22:19; Joshua-Kings 13 t.;Psalm 42:9;Psalm 86:17;Job 10: compare √ענד), without difference of meaning (עמיin PentateuchGenesis 31:31;Genesis 39:7,12,14;Exodus 33:12;Leviticus 26:21,23,27,40 [H]Numbers 22:19; Joshua-Kings 13 t.;Psalm 42:9;Psalm 86:17;Job 10:

H3548 כֹּהֵן
Definition:

18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi 18439t.; pluralכֹּהֲנִיםExodus 19:6272t.; constructכֹּהֲנֵי1 Samuel 5:513t.; suffixכֹּהֲנַיLamentations 1:1922t. suffixes —1priest-king:e.g. MelchizedekGenesis 14:18(E ?), comparePsalm 110:4(the Messi

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