Zephaniah pleaded, seek ye the lord, all ye meek of the earth. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading jonah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah the niv application commentary book. It describes a time when yahweh will come to his people and necessarily destroy evil as a means to delivering them. The silence of the historical books is no argument against this, as it would equally. This prophet, a contemporary of jeremiah, exercised his ministry during the reign of josiah. The southern kingdom was complacent in their wicked lives. Zephaniah s main theme is the coming of the day of the lord see notes on isa 2. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. When josiah became king in judah he was only eight years old, and it was just two years since the long and corrupt reign of king manasseh 687642 b. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. Zephaniahs reference to the future destruction of nineveh 2.
The uncertainty arises over the etymology of the prophets name, which scholars dispute. The book of zephaniah was written during the reign of king josiah, likely in the early part of his reign, between 635 and 625 bc. The book of zephaniah was written before 629 bc when josiah found and eagerly read the holy scriptures discovered in the temple. Study the bible online using commentary on zephaniah introduction and more. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Now viewing scripture range from the book of zephaniah chapter 1. They shall also build houses, but not inhabit them. The prophet zephaniah was active in the late seventh century b. For comparison, the ab volume on obadiah by paul raabe is over 300 pages. Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical and. Almost half of that is devoted to the introduction. His contemporaries were nahum, 1for further discussion of the books unity, see richard d. The book of zephaniah was written from 640609 bc, during the reign of king josiah who brought spiritual renewal and reform to judah after the long and devastating reign of king manasseh. Zechariah introduction commentary commentary critical and.
The name of the book it is named after the prophet. It will remove evil and open up a new future where all people can flourish in peace. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. Zephaniah and his contemporaries, jeremiah and habakkuk, were some of the prophets god used to pronounce this warning message. Ninth of the 12 minor prophets of the old testament of the bible, the book of zephaniah draws its name from the prophet zephaniah, whose ministry places its authorship at c. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of.
Like the writings of many of the prophets, the book of zephaniah follows a pattern of judgment on all people for their sin followed by the restoration of gods chosen people. It is also possible that the work of zephaniah contributed to his desire to turn the nation back towards the lord. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of. The first verse of this book tells us that the word of yahweh came to zephaniah, the son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hezekiah, in the days of josiah, the son of amon, king of judah 1. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer. The book comprises sayings attacking imitations of foreign religious practices, idolatry, and those who doubt the threat of the lords wrath. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. The day of the lord, the lord is in the midst of you author. Read zephaniah introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. He may have been a contemporary of other old testament prophets such as jeremiah and nahum and the book of mormon prophet lehi see bible chronology. That jerusalem is distinctly represented as in a state of religious and moral decadence sufficiently shows, we think, that the book of zephaniah preceded the memorable year of iconoclasm b. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle.
Zephaniah the one whom jehovah has chosen was a prophet of judah. Zephaniah introduction scofield reference bible commentary. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. Zephaniah means yahweh hides or has hidden, hidden in yahweh, yahwehs watchman, or yahweh treasured. In accordance with this theory of date is the prophets allusion to the future fate of nineveh in zephaniah 2. The prophecy anticipated, but preceded the fall of nineveh in 612 b. Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of his prophecy is yet future. Like other old testament prophets, zephaniah is a book rich in literary forms and features. Zephaniah warns israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the lord is near. The book is attributed to a prophet named zephaniah, who prophesied in judah during the seventh century b. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. This day is one of judgment against those who sin against god, and one of blessing for those who follow him. While zephaniah and joel obviously had local aspects in view of this coming day of yahweh.
The day of the lord is a major theme in zephaniah occurring 23 times in this short book as well as in obadiah, joel, and ezekiel. Zephaniah 1 new english translation net bible introduction. Jonah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah the niv application. The book of zephaniah refers to this period of time mentioned in the book of revelation. Introduction zephaniah ministered before the babylonian captivity began in 586 bc and not long before. Now josiahs reformation began in the twelfth and was completed in the eighteenth year of. Zephaniah portrays the stark horror of that ordeal with the same graphic imagery found elsewhere in the prophets. Zephaniah delivered this message during the reign of king josiah son of amon of judah. He will make nineveh a desolation, as dry as a desert. Zephaniah may have been a contemporary of other old testament prophets such as jeremiah and nahum and the book of mormon prophet lehi see bible. He identified himself much better than any other of the minor prophets, mentioning four generations of ancestors, back to hezekiah, a good. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord. Zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel.
Zephaniah overview ellicotts commentary for english readers. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. Introduction from the niv study bible go to zephaniah. I understand that zephaniah is not a long book, but i feel that in the context of this particular series, some more space could have been utilized. The coming day of the lord will bring judgment on the wicked, both jews and. Read and study zephaniah, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary hi. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation. Zephaniah introduction, king james version with apocrypha. As we prepare to study the literal and spiritual senses of the book of zephaniah, lets look at some historical facts that will help us enter into the eternal message of the lords word. By studying the book of zephaniah, students can learn that they do not need to follow the sinful customs of the societies in which they live and that they can. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. Like jeremiah and joseph smith, habakkuk asked god sincere and bold questions that reflected concern for his people and for the lords plans for them.
Many would date the book prior to josiahs reforms 622621 b. However, as chisholm writes, matthews quotation is probably a composite of zechariah 11. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. With the discovery of the book of deuteronomy in 621, josiah moved quickly to enforce its provisions, removing many of the high places and restoring peoples worship to god alone. Bible commentary on the book of zephaniah, introduction, by dr. Jonah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah the niv application commentary book kindle edition by bruckner, james. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed. Historical introduction zephaniah the prophet prophesied during the reign of king josiah who ascended his throne in 639 bc.
The judgment on cush and assyria 12 you too, o cushites, will be slain by my sword. The book of zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of gods justice and love found in the prophetic books. The title of the book comes from the name of its writer. Zechariah is the thirteenth of the total 14 chapters in the book of zechariah in the hebrew. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets.
What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king. Title as with each of the 12 minor prophets, the prophecy bears the name of its author, which is generally thought to mean the lord hides cf. Study the bible online using commentary on zechariah introduction and more. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. Both the desert owl and screech owl will roost atop her pillars. Zephaniah may have been a contemporary of other old testament prophets such as jeremiah and nahum and the book of mormon prophet lehi see bible chronology. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. In the middle of the 7 years some events will take place that are mentioned in the books of revelation and daniel. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of coming judgment and to encourage repentance.
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