Charles Ellicott Commentary Zephaniah 1:11

"Wail, ye inhabitants of Maktesh; for all the people of Canaan are undone; all they that were laden with silver are cut off." — Zephaniah 1:11 (ASV)

Maktesh. —Better, the mortar, a term probably indicating some part of the city lying in a hollow, perhaps that part which was in the valley of Tyropoeon. This quarter is described by Josephus as “full of houses” (B.J. V. iv. § 1). Hence, some detect in the name “mortar” an allusion to the noisy din of the commerce conducted here. The name occurs here only. Some suppose that it is a term coined by Zephaniah to signify how everything in Jerusalem should be bruised to pieces, as in a mortar.

Merchant people. —Literally, people of Canaan, a phrase used elsewhere for traders and merchants, and therefore not to be restricted to its original meaning here.

All they that bear silver. —Literally, all those who are laden with silver. Another way of designating this commercial class.