Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures has served as a standard reference for more than a century. The subtitle “Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical” aptly describes the three-pronged approach to the biblical text. This translated version of the German text is often considered by many to be superior to the original.
“The prophecy, according to the heading, falls in the reign of King Josiah, 641–610.” (Page 3)
“the first place in the centre of his prophecy, the doctrine of the judgment” (Page 9)
“The doctrine of the purifying judgment upon Israel, and that of the retributive judgment upon the powers of the world, which effected the redemption of Israel, and which are presented as they gradually come to light, the former in Isaiah and Micah, the latter in Obadiah, Isaiah, Micah, and Nahum, are combined in Zephaniah with the doctrine of the final judgment upon the whole heathen world, which, prefigured by Joel, by Ezekiel 38 f., and Zechariah 12, is here expanded.” (Page 9)
“And the idolaters are far from concealing their idolatry: they have still their priests and idol-worship (1:7 f.), and swear at the same time to Jehovah and the idol (1:5, compare Jer. 5:2, 7; 7:9).” (Page 5)
“Jerome derives the name from צפה and supposes it to mean speculator Domini, ‘watcher of the Lord” (Page 3)