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Selected Verse: Zephaniah 3:3 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Zep 3:3 |
Strong Concordance |
Her princes [08269] within [07130] her are roaring [07580] lions [0738]; her judges [08199] are evening [06153] wolves [02061]; they gnaw not the bones [01633] till the morrow [01242]. |
| |
King James |
Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
roaring--for prey (Pro 28:15; Eze 22:27; Amo 3:4; Mic 2:2).
evening wolves--which are most ravenous at evening after being foodless all day (Jer 5:6; Hab 1:8).
they gnaw not the bones till the morrow--rather, "they put not off till to-morrow to gnaw the bones"; but devour all at once, bones and flesh, so ragingly ravenous are they [CALVIN]. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The prophet having declared the wickedness of the whole city, rehearses how each in Church and state, the ministers of God in either, who should have corrected the evil, themselves aggravated it. Not enemies, without, destroy her, but
Her princes within her - In the very midst of the flock, whom they should in God's stead "feed with a true heart," destroy her as they will, having no protection against them. "Her judges are evening wolves" (see Hab 1:8); these who should in the Name of God redress all grievances and wrongs, are themselves like wild beasts, when most driven by famine. "They gnaw not the bones until the morrow or on the morrow" (literally, in the morning). They reserve nothing until the morning light, but do in darkness the works of darkness, shrinking from the light, and, in extreme rapacity, devouring at once the whole substance of the poor. As Isaiah says, "Thy princes are rebellious and companions of thieves" Isa 1:23, and "The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of His people and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard: the spoil of the poor is in your houses" Isa 3:14. And Ezekiel, "Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves, ravening the prey to shed blood, to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain" Eze 22:27. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Her princes - Persons of principal place and authority. Lions - Which hunt for prey, and are ever affrighting or devouring. Wolves - Insatiable and cruel, like wolves of the evening, whetted with hunger. Gnaw not the bones - They leave nothing but the bones to be eaten on the morrow. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Her princes - are roaring lions - Tearing all to pieces without shadow of law, except their own despotic power.
Her judges are evening wolves - Being a little afraid of the lion-like princes, they practice their unjust dealings from evening to morning, and take the day to find their rest.
They gnaw not the bones till the morrow - They devour the flesh in the night, and gnaw the bones and extract the marrow afterwards. They use all violence and predatory oppression, like wild beasts; they shun the light, and turn day into night by their revellings. |
8 Their horses [05483] also are swifter [07043] than the leopards [05246], and are more fierce [02300] than the evening [06153] wolves [02061]: and their horsemen [06571] shall spread [06335] themselves, and their horsemen [06571] shall come [0935] from far [07350]; they shall fly [05774] as the eagle [05404] that hasteth [02363] to eat [0398].
6 Wherefore a lion [0738] out of the forest [03293] shall slay [05221] them, and a wolf [02061] of the evenings [06160] shall spoil [07703] them, a leopard [05246] shall watch [08245] over their cities [05892]: every one that goeth out [03318] thence shall [02007] be torn in pieces [02963]: because their transgressions [06588] are many [07231], and their backslidings [04878] are increased [06105].
2 And they covet [02530] fields [07704], and take them by violence [01497]; and houses [01004], and take them away [05375]: so they oppress [06231] a man [01397] and his house [01004], even a man [0376] and his heritage [05159].
4 Will a lion [0738] roar [07580] in the forest [03293], when he hath no prey [02964]? will a young lion [03715] cry out [05414] [06963] of his den [04585], if he have taken [03920] nothing [01115]?
27 Her princes [08269] in the midst [07130] thereof are like wolves [02061] ravening [02963] the prey [02964], to shed [08210] blood [01818], and to destroy [06] souls [05315], to get [01214] dishonest gain [01215].
15 As a roaring [05098] lion [0738], and a ranging [08264] bear [01677]; so is a wicked [07563] ruler [04910] over the poor [01800] people [05971].
27 Her princes [08269] in the midst [07130] thereof are like wolves [02061] ravening [02963] the prey [02964], to shed [08210] blood [01818], and to destroy [06] souls [05315], to get [01214] dishonest gain [01215].
14 The LORD [03068] will enter [0935] into judgment [04941] with the ancients [02205] of his people [05971], and the princes [08269] thereof: for ye have eaten up [01197] the vineyard [03754]; the spoil [01500] of the poor [06041] is in your houses [01004].
23 Thy princes [08269] are rebellious [05637], and companions [02270] of thieves [01590]: every one loveth [0157] gifts [07810], and followeth [07291] after rewards [08021]: they judge [08199] not the fatherless [03490], neither doth the cause [07379] of the widow [0490] come [0935] unto them.
8 Their horses [05483] also are swifter [07043] than the leopards [05246], and are more fierce [02300] than the evening [06153] wolves [02061]: and their horsemen [06571] shall spread [06335] themselves, and their horsemen [06571] shall come [0935] from far [07350]; they shall fly [05774] as the eagle [05404] that hasteth [02363] to eat [0398].