What Does Zephaniah 2:8 Mean?

“I have heard”

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

“the reproach”

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

“of Moab”

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

“and the revilings”

vilification

“of the children”

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

“of Ammon”

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

“whereby they have reproached”

to pull off, i.e., (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth (as if a surrender); figuratively, to carp at, i.e., defame;

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

“my people”

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

“and magnified”

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

“themselves against their border”

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed