Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
For--The blessed things promised in this and Zephaniah 3:10 are the immediate results of the punishment inflicted on the nations, mentioned in Zephaniah 3:8 (compare Zephaniah 3:19).
turn to the people a pure language--that is, changing their impure language I will give to them again a pure language (literally, "lip"). Compare for this Hebrew idiom, 1 Samuel 10:9, Margin. The confusion of languages was of the penalty sin, probably idolatry at Babel (Genesis 11:1-6, Margin, where also "lip" expresses language, and perhaps also religion; Zephaniah 3:4, "a tower whose top may reach unto heaven," or rather, points to heaven, namely, dedicated to the heavens idolized, or Bel); certainly, of rebellion against God's will. An earnest of the removal of this penalty was the gift of tongues on pentecost (Acts 2:6-13). The full restoration of the earth's unity of language and of worship is yet future, and is connected with the restoration of the Jews, to be followed by the conversion of the world. Compare Isaiah 19:18; Zechariah 14:9; Romans 15:6, "with one mind and one mouth glorify God." The Gentiles' lips have been rendered impure through being the instruments of calling on idols and dishonoring God (compare Psalms 16:4; Hosea 2:17). Whether Hebrew shall be the one universal language or not, the God of the Hebrews shall be the one only object of worship. Until the Holy Ghost purify the lips, we cannot rightly call upon God (Isaiah 6:5-7).
serve him with one consent--literally, "shoulder" or "back"; metaphor from a yoke, or burden, borne between two (Numbers 13:23); helping one another with conjoint effort. If one of the two bearers of a burden, laid on both conjointly, give way, the burden must fall to the earth [CALVIN]. Christ's rule is called a burden (Matthew 11:30; Acts 15:28; Revelation 2:24; compare 2 Corinthians 6:14 for the same image).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Song of Solomon 4:3
Isaiah 19:18-22
Isaiah 66:18
Jeremiah 32:39
Ezekiel 11:19
Hosea 6:9
Zephaniah 3:10
Zechariah 14:9
1 Corinthians 15:24
Galatians 3:20
Ephesians 4:4
Revelation 13:18
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