Matthew Poole and continuators on Zephaniah 2:9

9 Therefore as I live saith the LORD of hosts the God of Israel , Surely Moab shall be as Sodom , and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles , and salt-pits , and a perpetual desolation , the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them .

The most solemn Oath, fit for none but God himself to use. Vid. Ezek. 14.16.

Who have all things at my disposal and can arm all Creatures against these proud Revilers.

Who by Covenant am Israel's God, and Israel is my people, in whose reproaches I am reproached.

This is a proverbial speech in Scripture phrase to speak great destruction, as Isa. 1.9. Moab and Ammon were not destroy'd by fire, as Sodom and Gomorrah, but the next words are an explication of these.

Not Cultivated, but run over with Nettles, as if 'twere onely to breed them.

A salt, dry, barren Earth fit onely to dig salt out of it.

Never more to be manured and inhabited▪ [illegible: 1 letter]r not for a long, a very long time.

Either the few left with Gedaliah, or the Remnant that return'd out of Babylon.

Provoked by the injuries of Moab, and Ammon, shall take Arms, overcome, and spoil them.

Settle upon their Lands, and dwell in those parts that are fit for habitation.

Marginal references: Isa. 15.[illegible: 1 letter] 48. Ez[illegible: 2 letters] ▪ [illegible: 1 letter] Amos 2.[illegible: 1 letter]; Amo[illegible: 1 letter] 1.[illegible: 1 letter]