Social injustice and moral corruption were widespread 3. The book of zephaniah, the early discourses of jeremiah, and 2ki 2123 furnish a vivid picture of the social, moral, and religious conditions in judah at the time zephaniah prophesied. Watch our overview video on the book of zephaniah, which breaks down the literary design. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 1200 word vocabulary on the books of nahum, habakkuk and zephaniah. Zephaniah practically gives the address of the united states. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1.
A call to repentance gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, o undesirable nation, before the decree is issued, or the day passes like chaff, before the lords fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the lords anger comes upon you. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer future hope. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot. Zephaniah 2 nkjv a call to repentance bible gateway. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. As their conversation unfolds, we learn of the doomed destiny which are indifferent to the lords power and of humans who have become too enthralled worldly riches. The people of judah would return to wickedness and rebellion against god.
Zephaniah was the grandson of hezekiah, but we cannot be sure that this hezekiah was the same hezekiah who ruled jerusalem during the time of isaiah. Apart from this statement, nothing more is said about. Book of zephaniah, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names. Zephaniah 1, new living translation nlt the bible app. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. Study guide for zephaniah 3 by david guzik blue letter bible.
Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. This is not the only place where this theme occurs, of course, but it is the most concentrated treatment of the judgment of god as the whole book is devoted to this one theme. Nevertheless, this is a great book with a significant. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the l. The word of the lord which came unto zephaniah the son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hizkiah, in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah.
Next 1 the word of yahweh which was addressed to zephaniah son of cushi, son of gedaliah, son of amariah, son of hezekiah, in the days of josiah son of amon king of judah 2 i shall sweep away everything off the face of the earth, declares yahweh 3 i shall sweep away humans and animals, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, i shall topple the. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. The bible does not mention him elsewhere, but from his book. The book is concerned throughout with the day of the lord. Book of zephaniah read bible verses online bible study tools.
Like other old testament prophets, zephaniah is a book rich in literary forms and features. A contrast between a wicked city and a righteous god. Kjv bible verses from zephaniah offer free, online access, for those of the christian faith, to study scriptural passages for biblical studies, contained in. 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. Zephaniah wrote this book between the years 630 and 625 bc. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, king of judah 640609 bc. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Zephaniah is the ninth of the twelve prophets in the book of the twelve in hebrew scripture, our old testament of the bible. Twopage spread from johannes gutenbergs 42line bible, c. By this the godly harmony is shown in the prophecies of such different men who have lived at totally different times but who always presented the one goal of god. Three other old testament individuals share his name. The most popular bible verses from zephaniah found 53 verses zephaniah 3.
Book of zephaniah simple english wikipedia, the free. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. Zephaniah was a prophet of doom in the true sense of the word. Zephaniah contemporary of jeremiah preached around 625 bc king manasseh is dead after a reign of 55 years the most evil king in judah he was the exact opposite of his father king hezekiah. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. As piercing as any modern day social critic, zephaniah proclaims salvation only for those who. Thus the period from 640 to 622 is the likely time for the giving of the prophecy. It was a day that would come against judah for all her sins, but he also acknowledged that some had remained faithful and they would be spared. The book of zephaniah is a book of the bible and is thought to be written by zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah the book begins by telling of gods judgement on the kingdom of judah. And he shows us that gods intention is the ultimate peace and prosperity of those who are his. Josiah led judah to religious and social reform, but zephaniah declared that these spiritual changes would not last.
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 compare 2. Interesting facts about zephaniah barnes bible charts meaning. In this book, zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. Part two is devoted to the book of habakkuk, listing the contents, explaining the history of criticism of the book, illuminating the details of the. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of zephaniah in his audio message from the. Book of zephaniah, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, collected in one book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. Zephaniah, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. Zephaniah, nahum, and habakkuk book summaries, test. Indeed, his main message was regarding the day of the lord. Zephaniahs ministry, then, was directed to judah just before these major changes came about. Zephaniahs ministry occurred during the reign of josiah, king of judah. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible.
The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. The old king manasseh had lead the nation away from god and into heinous idolatry, including human. Zephaniahs preaching condemned the hopeless corruption found in judean society. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The love of god is difficult to grasp while reading the book of zephaniah, which begins with a horrifying message of gods judgment. What zephaniah does do is show us that the lord makes a distinction between those who are his people and those who are not, as he did when the angel of death moved through egypt. Zephaniah 1 niv bible the word of the lord that came. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. Three times god says i will sweep away in chapter 1 verses 1 and 2.
Part one examines the book of zephaniah by describing the contents, portraying zephaniah the person, explaining the historical background and criticisms, and illustrating the message of zephaniah. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. Zephaniah is the thirtysixth book in the christian old testament, falling between habakkuk and haggai. The following scripture is from the authorized king james version of the holy bible. The lord gave this message to zephaniah when josiah son of amon was king of judah. It was zephaniahs lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. Bible commentary on nahum, habakkuk and zephaniah in easy.
This prophetic concept refers to any intervention of god in. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible. God will judge the nations with a burning fire as he purifies them from sin, evil and violence. The book of zephaniah introduction to the book of zephaniah in the bible. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. The harpercollins study bible supplies headings for the book as follows.
The book of zephaniah shows how gods justice and love work together to give the world hope. The book of zephaniah is composed as a charged dialogue between god and the prophet. Seek the lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld his justice. The day of the lord zephaniah adult bible study guide. Zephaniah has summed up in his brief book many of the dominant prophetic themes, and, above all, he has bound them together with the lucid eschatological insights for which he is justly honored by.
His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to king hezekiah ca. Zephaniah is the ninth of the twelve prophets in the book of the. Zephaniah s message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops. Zephaniah sets forth the dark side of the love of god. All that is known of zephaniah comes from the text. Introduction286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Zephaniah was the son of cushi, son of gedaliah, son of amariah, son of. This commentary has been through advanced checking.
Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major. The lord rejoices over the restoration of his people a. Zephaniahs prophetic revelations and stern warnings occurred during josiahs reign zephaniah 1. Translators could also find the translated bible text useful, as the writer translated from the hebrew tex t. The book of the twelve prophets was originally on one parchment roll because of the brevity of the text, and together formed one book of the 24 books of hebrew scripture. Zephaniah 1 niv the word of the lord that came to bible gateway.
1062 571 24 692 746 733 1104 197 1174 1031 391 1428 191 1301 1009 1046 1513 634 710 288 516 728 358 1397 118 1169 924 1114 781 1002 1142 1228 649 405 345 700 524 343