Zephaniah 1:11

“Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, etc.] The name of a street in Jerusalem, as Aben Ezra; perhaps it lay low in the hollow of the city, and in the form of a mortar, from whence it might have its name, as the wordf16 signifies; which is used both for a hollow place and for a mortar, (<071519>Judges 15:19 <202722>Proverbs 27:22) unless it might be so called from such persons dwelling in it, that used mortars for spice, and other things. The Targum is, “howl, all ye that dwell in the valley of Kidron;” and Jerom thinks the valley of Siloah is intended, which is the same; which, Adrichomiusf17 says, was broad, deep, and dark, and surrounded the temple in manner of a foss, or ditch; and was…”

“Maktesh--rather, "the mortar," a name applied to the valley of Siloam from its hollow shape [JEROME]. The valley between Zion and Mount Olivet, at the eastern extremity of Mount Moriah, where the merchants dwelt. Zac 14:21, "The Canaanite," namely, merchant [Chaldee Version]. The TyropÅ“on (that is, cheese-makers') valley below Mount Akra [ROSENMULLER]. Better Jerusalem itself, so called as lying in the midst of hills (Isa 22:1; Jer 21:13) and as doomed to be the scene of its people being destroyed as corn or drugs are pounded in a mortar (Pro 27:22) [MAURER]. Compare the similar image of a "pot" (Eze 24:3, Eze 24:6). The reason for the destruction is subjoined, namely, its merchant people's…”

“Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh - Literally, “Mortar” , “in which,” Jerome says, “corn is pounded; a hollow vessel, and fit for the use of medical men, in which properly ptisans are wont to be beaten (or made). Striking is it, that Scripture saith not, ‘who dwell in the valley or in the alley,’ but who “dwell in the mortar,” because as corn, when the pestle striketh, is bruised, so the army of the enemy shall rush down upon you” (Jerome). The place intended is probably so much of the valley of the Tyropoeon, which intersected Jerusalem from north to south, as was enclosed by the second wall, on the north, and the first wall on the south. The valley “extended as far as the fountain of…”

“Howl - Cry aloud, and bitterly. Maktesh - The lower town. Merchant people - Who were wont to lodge in this place. That bear silver - That brought it with them to pay for what they bought. Zephaniah 1:12”

“Howl: Jer 4:8, Jer 25:34; Eze 21:12; Joe 1:5, Joe 1:13; Zac 11:2, Zac 11:3; Jam 5:1 all the: Neh 3:31, Neh 3:32; Hos 12:7, Hos 12:8; Joh 2:16; Rev 18:11-18 Zephaniah 1:12”