A consuming fire, his justice purifies the people, and his love restores jerusalem for the nations. His prophecy is probably to be dated relatively early in josiahs reign, before that kings attempt at reform and while conditions brought about by the reigns of manasseh and amon still prevailed and before the assyrian king. Zephaniah s message of judgment and encouragement contains three major. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry 1. 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 3 niv jerusalem woe to the city of 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. We have mentioned this several times in our study of the prophets, but i will point it out in case someone has not heard the explanation. The day of the lord zephaniah adult bible study guide. 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.
His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement. Zephaniah was preaching at the same time as jeremiah in the days of josiah, a few years before nineveh fell. He traces his lineage back to his greatgreatgrandfather, hizkiah whom we know as hezekiah, king of judah. Habakkuk concealed himself in silencewe know nothing about his backgroundbut zephaniah goes to the opposite extreme and tells us more than is ordinary. Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. One cannot be certain of this, but my study of zephaniah has led me to. Book of zephaniah outline summary online bible nwt. Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea.
The day vs 8 must refer to the tribulation when god will judge all the earth. Who is zephaniah and why is he important in the bible. And zephaniah speaks to that very point right at the very beginning of the book of zephaniah. This means that zephaniah was a prophet to the southern kingdom, probably a resident of jerusalem see 1. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. Zephaniah s preaching condemned the hopeless corruption found in judean society. Here are a few examples of this time of punishment from the book of zephaniah. 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. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of. The people of judah would return to wickedness and rebellion against god. Zephaniah might possibly be one of the least known prophets of the seventh century.
This asterisk means that the question seeks for your opinions and thoughts. It is also possible that the work of zephaniah contributed to his desire to turn the nation back towards the lord. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. She does not trust in the lord, she does not draw near to her god. Since zephaniah predicts the destruction of nineveh which happened in 612 b. This is quite remarkable considering he is the only one whose ancestry goes back four generations. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming. Zephaniah bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. The book of zephaniah shows how gods justice and love work together to give the world hope. Zephaniah lived in the capital of jerusalem compare with chap. The little book of zephaniah will never take the place of john 3. Nevertheless, this is a great book with a significant. This is a request to trust god to carry out his promises.
The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ance stry 1. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. The book of zephaniah was alleged written by the prophet zephaniah, whose lineage is. Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible. Introduction286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for. The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. Watch our overview video on the book of zephaniah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Nor is it impossible that zephaniah should have been the great grandson of. Aug 30, 2017 the book of zephaniah niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 36 duration. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1.
The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. It is most likely that the book of the prophet zephaniah comes from a time after the rule of king josiah. Zephaniah begins this section with a command to wait. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. Interesting facts about zephaniah barnes bible charts meaning. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. What does it mean to worship the starry host or the host of the heavens zephaniah 1. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great.
Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. 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. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. The date of zephaniah s prophecy is given as in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah. I dare say that few have ever heard a sermon on zephaniah. May 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of zephaniah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah.
Some have referred the phrase i will purify the lips of the peoples 3. 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. The word of the lord which came unto zephaniah the son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hezekiah it seems likely that more forefathers of the prophet are named than is the wont of holy scripture, because the last so named was some one remarkable. Study zephaniah using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah. By exposing his plan for the major powers zephaniah 2. He begins his prophecy by tracing his heritage back to hezekiah king of judah. The book of zephaniah introduction to the book of zephaniah in the bible. We learn from the first verse of zephaniah s book that he was the greatgreat grandson of good king hezekiah of judah. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. Ek klesia we can see this greek word in the english ecclesiology study of the church. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text.
When did moab and ammon eventually worship the lord zephaniah 2. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. Zephaniah addressing people french bible, 16th century. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot.
Book of zephaniah bible survey what are the major prophets and minor prophets. Outline of the book of zephaniah woe to her that is rebellious and polluted. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to. 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. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. Zephaniahs prophetic revelations and stern warnings occurred during josiahs reign zephaniah 1. Through the prophet zephaniah, we are taught that god uses various catastrophes to punish and humble nations. So if you turn in your bible to the book of zephaniah, lets start right there in chapter 1. The book presents an unambiguous denunciation of sin and warning of imminent judgment on judah. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops. In chapter 1 were going to skip down, though, just a little bit to verse 14. Josiah led judah to religious and social reform, but zephaniah declared that these spiritual changes would not last. Zephaniah identifies himself better than any of the other minor prophets.
While we do not know a lot about zephaniah, we do know that he was related to good king hezekiah. The contents of this book have never been familiar, and i doubt that it has been read very much. 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. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. 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.
Edward miller, journal for the study of the new testament 26 2003 21736 in 1995, new testament studies published a provocative piece by philip payne entitled, fuldensis, sigla for variants in vaticanus, and 1 cor. Zephaniah was likely written in the years before the revival, and god used this prophecy to bring and further revival. 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. The answer is not directly found in the scripture passage as the other questions. Zephaniah, too, was a minor prophet, writing only 3 chapters to make his book.
It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. If this is correct then zephaniah would be part of the royal family. 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. Zephaniah s ministry, then, was directed to judah just before these major changes came about. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer. Zephaniah s primary target for gods message of judgment, the nation of judah, had fallen into grievous sin under the reign of their king, manasseh.
The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. Zephaniah 1 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. Prophet zephaniah, gods day of judgment on nations and people. In this book, zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. All that is known of zephaniah comes from the text the name cushi, zephaniah s father, means cushite or ethiopian, and the text of zephaniah mentions the sin and restoration of. We learn in the same verse that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of good king josiah of judah 640608 b. Book of zephaniah read bible verses online bible study tools. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. Zephaniah was an unusual prophet, in that he was of royal lineage, descending from the godly king hezekiah.
This could possibly be a reference to hezekiah, king of judah 715686 bce. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. Jan 02, 2020 book of zephaniah bible survey what are the major prophets and minor prophets. Zephaniah was almost certainly born during the long, wicked reign of manasseh, whose reign began 55 years before the start of josiahs reign. Zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah. Jerusalem woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled. The prophets nahum, habakkuk and jeremiah were his contemporaries. Study guide for zephaniah 1 by david guzik blue letter bible.
In the book of revelation, this punishment is called the wrath of god revelation 14. What kings of judah preceded zephaniah s prophetical work, and what king. The book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Book of zephaniah john gills exposition of the bible. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king. Zephaniah was the fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. The answer is not directly found in the scripture passage as. Indeed, his main message was regarding the day of the lord. Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons. The name zephaniah means yahweh hides or yahweh has hidden. It appears that he is the great, great grandson of someone called hezekiah. The harpercollins study bible supplies headings for the book as follows.