Matthew Poole and continuators on Zephaniah 1:11

11 Howl ye inhabitants of Maktesh , for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

Cry aloud, and bitterly.

Some read it appellatively: The Mortar in which of old, before the Corn-Mill was known and used, they did pound and beat their Corn for Bread. They also pounded Spices: Others say 'tis the lower Town, or Valley of Cedron in Ierusalem, a deep Valley that surrounded the Mountain of the Temple, which fancied like a deep Mortar, they gave the name Maktesh to it.

Who were wont either to lodge in this place when they came to Trade, or, if Iewish Merchants, dwelt there, which was much to the advantage of the place, but now by the invasion of the Land, and by the siege, all trade is cut off, and many Merchants either slain or made slaves.

That brought it with them to pay for what they bought up, and so enricht the Inhabitants of this Makte[illegible: 1 letter]h, all that traded and payd ready money, are cut off, as let. q. Others say, the Money-changers, or Bankers are here meant by them that bear silver, persons that furnisht all sorts o[illegible: 1 letter] people with silver, for Goods laid to pledge, or buttered.

i. e. shall be as surely, as if 'twere already done.