Zephaniah, The Book of The Prophet

[He. Tsephanyah or Tsephanyahu “Yah has Secreted”]

Courtesy ofAlexander Scourby(Bible Audio)The Book of Zephaniah

Background: Zephaniah worked just before Jeremiah. The theme of the book is God’s universal judgment. Ch1 deals with the judgment of Israel but 2:1-3 promises that this may be averted if they turned back to God. The remainder of Ch2 foretells the punishment of some Israel’s neighbors. Beyond the judgment of Jerusalem the prophet sees hope. 3Chs

Author: Zephaniah

Date: While Zephaniah’s ministry is said only have taken place in the days of Josiah (1:1) it may well have been the years between the beginning of Josiah’s personal awakening (632BC) the onset of his more public revival efforts in 621

Location: Jerusalem (1:4, 10, 12)

Purpose:
-Correct misconception on the say of the Lord, many Israelites thought it would be rejoicing, but he reveal that idolatrous Israel were God’s enemies
-To hope a remnant will survive God’s judgment (3:9-20)

Unique Features:
-“The day of the Lord” is found more in Zep than in any other Bible book.

Comparison:Ge
-God’s cutting off Humankind (1:3Ge6:7)
-Of Ammon and Moab (Ge19:36-38Zep2:8-11)
-God’s resting (Ge2:2, 3Zep3:17)

Abbreviations: Zeph./ Zph./ Zep

MV: Praisers of God, Is12:1

Bib1Yr: Ro7Wretched Man