Faith & Reason Nexus

MEANING: “Yahweh Hides.”

AUTHOR: Zephaniah

TIME WRITTEN: Between 640 and 612 B.C.

POSITION IN THE BIBLE:

• 36th Book in the Bible
• 36th Book in the Old Testament
• 14th of 17 books of Prophecy (Isaiah – Malachi)
• 9th of 12 minor prophets (Hosea-Malachi)
• 30 Books follow it

CHAPTERS: 3
VERSES: 56
WORDS: 1,476

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ZEPHANIAH:

• Zephaniah’s Background:
• Zephaniah was born during the later part of the reign of King Manasseh.
• He was the great-great-grandson of the godly King Hezekiah, making him the only prophet of royal descent.
• Contemporaries:
• Zephaniah was a contemporary of the prophets Jeremiah and Habakkuk, ministering during the same period of spiritual and moral decline in Judah.
• “11th Hour” Prophet: Zephaniah is often referred to as an “11th hour” prophet because his ministry came just before the impending judgment on Judah.
• King Josiah’s Reforms:
• Josiah became King of Judah at the young age of 8.
• His first set of reforms began in 628 B.C., during the first year of his reign:
  • He tore down the altars of Baal.
  • Destroyed foreign incense altars.
  • Burned the bones of false prophets on their altars.
  • Broke the carved and molten images into pieces.
• Josiah’s second reform occurred in 622 B.C., kindled when Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law in the Temple (2 Chronicles 34:8-35:19).
• Judgment and Prophecy:
• Zephaniah pronounces God’s coming judgment upon the nations surrounding Judah:
  • To the west: Philistia
  • To the east: Moab and Ammon
  • To the south: Ethiopia
  • To the north: Assyria
• Jerusalem’s Condition:
• Zephaniah describes Jerusalem as characterized by spiritual rebellion and moral treachery.
• Structure of the Book:
• The Book of Zephaniah opens with themes of idolatry, wrath, and judgment.
• It closes with themes of true worship, rejoicing, and blessing.
• Key Verse:
• Zephaniah 2:3 – “Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility.”

Zephaniah’s prophecy is a powerful call to repentance and a warning of God’s impending judgment, yet it also offers hope and promise for those who seek the Lord with humility and righteousness. The book reflects the broader biblical narrative of judgment leading to restoration and the importance of true worship and devotion to God.