25 and all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes;
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
He now mentions nations more remote, but whose fame was more known among the Jews. We, indeed, know that the Elamites, who dwelt between Media and Persia, had ever been people of great repute. As to Media, it was a very large kingdom and wealthy, abounding in all delicacies; and we also know how fond of display were the Medes. With regard to Zimri, [1] it was an obscure nation in comparison with the Elamites and the Medes. The Prophet, however, intimates that every part of the earth, even the smallest kingdom, known to the Jews, would be visited by God's judgment, so that the whole earth, in every direction, would become a witness that God sits in heaven as a judge. It follows, --
1 - Blayney considers Zimri to be the same with Zimran, one of Abraham's sons by Keturah, and he and his brethren were sent to "the east country." (Genesis 25:2, 6.) The Zameroeni, mentioned by Pliny as inhabiting some part of Arabia, were probably the descendants of Zimri. -- Ed.
Zimri - Probably a district between Arabia and Persia. "Elam" is put in Scripture for the whole of Persia.
Zimri - Descendants of Abraham, by Keturah, Genesis 25:2, Genesis 25:6.
Elam - Called Elymais by the Greeks, was on the south frontier of Media, to the north of Susiana, not far from Babylon.
And all the kings of Zimri,.... Of Arabia Felix, so called from Zimran, a son of Abraham by Keturah, Genesis 25:2; the same whom Pliny (n) calls Zamerenes;
and all the kings of Elam; or Persia; who are prophesied against in Jeremiah 49:34;
and all the kings of the Medes; who commonly go together with the Persians.
(n) Nat. Hist. I. 6. c. 28.
Zimri--perhaps the Zabra mentioned by PTOLEMY between Mecca and Medina. Zimran also, as Dedan, was one of Abraham's sons by Keturah (Genesis 25:2).
Elam--properly, west of Persia; but used for Persia in general.
Zimri - Those descended from Zimran, Abraham's son by Keturah, Genesis 25:2. Elam - The Persians. The Medes - The Medes came from Madai the son of Japhet.
*More commentary available at chapter level.