Choose from 285 different sets of zephaniah flashcards on quizlet. The book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom. The name means jehovah hath guarded, literally, hidden psalms 27. Since the introduction of zephaniah takes us back these four generations, ending with hezekiah, it is possible that this hezekiah may have been king hezekiah, but this is not certain. Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical. Zephaniah an old testament book telling the prophecies of zephaniah which are concerned mainly with the approaching judgment by god upon the sinners of judah. Dec 28, 2016 zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. The book of zephaniah introduction to the book of zephaniah in the bible. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like.
All that is known of zephaniah comes from the text the name cushi, zephaniahs father, means cushite or ethiopian, and the text of zephaniah mentions the sin. 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. Zephaniah 3 the lord rejoices over the restoration of his people a. He identified himself much better than any other of the minor prophets, mentioning four generations of ancestors.
Zephaniah, the prophet who authored this book, most likely had a royal lineage. Interesting facts about zephaniah barnes bible charts meaning. Zephaniah, ninth in order of the minor prophets, prophesied in the days of josiah zephaniah 1. He is a god of love, but he is also a god of judgment. This probable royal ancestry made him somewhat unusual among all the other hebrew. Zephaniah the one whom jehovah has chosen was a prophet of judah. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. Described as the day of the lord, the day of judgment is pictured as a time of darkness, of anguish and distress, of destruction and plunder of cities, and. Snyman considers each books historical setting, structure, and literary features as well as important. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the.
Introduction 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. She has not obeyed his voice, she has not received correction. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. 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. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. The book of zephaniah is composed as a charged dialogue between god and the prophet. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord. Zephaniah delivered this message during the reign of king josiah son of amon of judah zephaniah 1. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. The book is attributed to a prophet named zephaniah, who prophesied in judah during the seventh century b. The day of the lord, the lord is in the midst of you.
Zephaniah opens with the rumblings of judgment, and you will not find judgment enunciated in any more harsh manner than it is in this book. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. A son of cushi, and author of the book of zephaniah written around 630 bc a musician in the days of david 1 chronicles 6. 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 has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer. Zephaniah means yahweh hides or has hidden, hidden in yahweh, yahwehs watchman, or yahweh treasured. Living under the tumultuous reign of king josiah of judah 640609 bce, zephaniah predicted the final day of judgment when god would come to the fate of israel and other nations. Zephaniahs prophecy of judgment on judah and jerusalem emphasizes, perhaps more than any other prophecy, the devastation. Both prophets lived at the end of the assyrian period and the beginning of the. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament.
A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The uncertainty arises over the etymology of the prophets name, which scholars dispute. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot. Read first chapter of zephaniah this prophet, a contemporary of jeremiah, exercised his ministry during the reign of josiah. It describes a time when yahweh will come to his people and necessarily destroy evil as a means to delivering them. This day is one of judgment against those who sin against god, and one of blessing for those who follow him. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible.
The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. Zephaniah origin and meaning the name zephaniah is a boys name of hebrew origin meaning god has hidden. The book of zephaniah is a companion prophecy to habakkuk. Prophecies the eightnight visions in chapters 16 are especially challenging, but a good study bible or commentary can help unravel their meaning, such as judgment upon the wicked, the.
She has not trusted in the lord, she has not drawn. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. He was a descendant of king hezekiah, implying he came from a line of royalty. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, november 20. The book declares judgment on many nations, all of which opposed god. The book is often difficult to understand, packed with symbolism and vivid imagery, yet its predictions about a future savior jump out with crystal clarity. The day of the lord, the lord is in the midst of you author.
A priest who was a contemporary of his famous namesake and an acquaintance of jeremiah jeremiah 21. Zephaniah probably lived in judah, and possibly jerusalem, since he clearly knew the city so well. His pedigree is traced to his fourth ancestor, hezekiah, zephaniah 1. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible. The opening verses of the book of zephaniah revealed the prophet zephaniahs lineage that traced back to king hezekiah, which made him of royal blood. It will remove evil and open up a new future where all people can flourish in peace. Like many other books in the old testament, the book of zephaniah has a combination of history and prophesy. Zephaniah synonyms, zephaniah pronunciation, zephaniah translation, english dictionary definition of zephaniah.
Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. Introduction to the book of zephaniah the bible journey. The title of the book comes from the name of its writer. A minor prophet who has his own book, zephaniah is another old testament gem waiting to be rediscovered now that noah and abraham are becoming too trendy. Book of zephaniah noun the noun book of zephaniah has 1 sense 1. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs greatgreat grandfather, hezekiah. Zephaniah, book of the book of zephaniah, only three chapters in length, looks toward the punishment of all sinful nations, including judah, followed by the restoration of judah and the nations as well. A contrast between a wicked city and a righteous god. It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. Zephaniah s message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. Zephaniah definition of zephaniah by the free dictionary. 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. Zephaniah and his contemporaries, jeremiah and habakkuk, were some of the prophets god used to pronounce this warning message. 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.
The book of zephaniah from the book minor prophets. Zephaniah, son of cushi, is the author of the book of zephaniah. Zephaniah introduction scofield reference bible commentary. Snyman considers each books historical setting, structure, and literary features as well as. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b.
In this tyndale old testament commentary, the texts of these minor but important prophets receive a fresh analysis as s. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. It was zephaniahs lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. 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. Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical and. The prophecy by zephaniah is a companion to that of habakkuk. The books superscription attributes its authorship to zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah 1. 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. 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.
Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. The little prophecy of zephaniah presents the dark side of the love of god. Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons. Habakkuks probing dialogue with the lord of israel. The jewish royal family shall be reckoned with for their pride and vanity. The book of zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of gods justice and love found in the prophetic books. It was a time of revival, but the captivity was impending, nevertheless, and zephaniah points out the moral state which, despite the superficial revival under josiah jeremiah 2. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. A new translation with introduction and commentary. The chief characteristics of this book are the unity and harmony of the composition, the grace, energy and dignity of its style. Meaning yahweh remembers, zechariahs name was appropriate to the purpose of his prophecies. Apr 28, 2019 the day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin.
Introduction as we prepare to study the literal and spiritual senses of the book of zephaniah. Zephaniah zehf uh ni uhpersonal name meaning, yahweh sheltered or stored up or zaphon god is yahweh. If so, it would mean that zephaniah had royal blood. Like other old testament prophets, zephaniah is a book rich in literary forms and features. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops.
Zephaniah intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible. This prophet, a contemporary of jeremiah, exercised his ministry during the reign of josiah. Zephaniah 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. In hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning yahweh hides perhaps reflecting the terror of the days of manasseh when zephaniah. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. This book records the prophets sober description of the day of the lord, which oftrepeated phrase was in reference to the impending destruction of jerusalem and the future great tribulation when god would punish all nations. A son of cushi, and author of the book of zephaniah written around 630 bc. Zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. Zephaniah warns israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the lord is near. Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of his prophecy is yet future.
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