Print
Search for page by title (auto-completes)
Advanced search
  
Translate into

The Bible

OT Overview

NT Overview

OT Books

NT Books

OT History

NT History

OT Studies

Pentateuch Studies

History Books Studies

Studies in the Prophets

NT Studies

Studies in the Gospels

Acts and Letters Studies

Revelation Studies

Inductive Study

Types of Literature

Geography

Early Church

British Museum

Museums

Historical Documents

Life Questions

How to Preach

Teaching

SBS Staff

Advanced Search
Search for word or phrase within each page
Search by OT book and chapter
Search by NT book and chapter


Introduction to the Book of Zephaniah

Julian Spriggs M.A.

Related articles

Interpreting OT Prophets Dates of kings of Israel and Judah
The Babylonian empire

Zephaniah the prophet

Zephaniah’s name means 'he whom Yahweh hides' or 'Yahweh has hidden him'. He may have been given this name because he was 'hidden', or protected during the terrible years of Manasseh. He is the son of Cushi, perhaps meaning his father was a man from Cush (Ethiopia).

Uniquely in this book, four generations are given, back to his great-great grandfather Hezekiah (Zeph 1:1), who might have been King Hezekiah of Judah. If this refers to King Hezekiah, then Zephaniah was his great-great grandson, and a member of the royal family. This would suggest that Zephaniah was only a young man, probably in his early twenties, as Hezekiah died in 686 BC.

Zechariah was a prophet to the southern kingdom (Judah) during the reign of King Josiah (640 - 609), the last good king of Judah. He was clearly familiar with Jerusalem, referring to specific landmarks of the city (1:4, 1:10-12). The contemporary prophets were Jeremiah and Nahum.

Historical background and date (see 2 Kg 21 - 23:30, 2 Chr 33 - 35)

Zephaniah grew up seeing the dreadful moral and religious conditions in Jerusalem characteristic of the reigns of Manasseh (687 - 642), the worst king of Judah, and his son Amon (642 - 640). These who had re-introduced idolatry, child sacrifice and immorality, described in 2 Chr 33:1-9, 21-25 (see 1:4-5).

During the reign of these evil kings, there had remained a faithful remnant who would not compromise their trust in Yahweh. They had been persecuted by Manasseh, "Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, until he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another" (2 Kg 21:16). These people enthusiastically supported King Josiah and the prophet Zephaniah. However, Josiah's reformation was mostly superficial, reforming worship practices, but not changing the hearts of the people. Hezekiah's reforms (715 - 687) had been reversed by these two evil kings, and Manasseh's late act of repentance (2 Chr 33:10-16) could not undo the harm he had done.

Josiah introduced a great reformation of the nation, re-discovering the book of the law in 622 BC and re-instituting the Passover. There is a debate over whether Zephaniah prophesied before or after the discovery of the Book of the law in 622 BC. If before 622 BC, then he would have contributed towards, and encouraged Josiah’s earlier reforms (2 Chr 34:3ff). If his prophecy came at the start of Josiah’s reign, then his words could have urged Josiah to start his reforms, and return to the covenant with Yahweh. If after 622 BC, then Zephaniah’s words would expose the limitations of Josiah’s reforms, as being superficial, not really changing the hearts of the people.

The word to “cut off from this place (the Jerusalem temple) every remnant of Baal" (1:4) has been used in the debate over the date, but is inconclusive. It could refer to some previous purging, indicating a late date, or that God will completely remove and eradicate Baal worship, leaving the option of an early date. The removal of “those who bow down on the roofs to the host of heavens” (1:5) could suggest a date before Josiah’s reforms.

However, there are a number of phrases in Zephaniah which parallel phrases from Deuteronomy, which is often suggested to be the Book of the Law discovered in the temple. Liberal scholars claim from these that the words of Zephaniah affected the writing of Deuteronomy, which they claim was written in 622 BC, thus denying authorship of Moses. In return, conservative scholars would say that Zephaniah was deliberately quoting passages from the Book of the Law that had recently been discovered. If Zephaniah was the great-great grandson of King Hezekiah, then he would unlikely to be old enough to start his ministry as a prophet until later in the reign of Josiah.

There was an invasion by the Scythians in 632 BC. These people were a tribe of horse-riding nomads from western Siberia, between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, who broke through the Caucasus mountains and invaded Media, Assyria and Syria, leading a trail of devastation behind them, as if a swarm of locusts had ravaged the land. They were about to invade Egypt, when Psammitichus I bought them off with rich gifts. However, they did not attack Judah during this time. Their attack had weakened Assyria, which enabled Josiah to carry out his reforms without reprisals from Assyria. Babylon also took this opportunity to invade Assyria during his weakness.

Zephaniah saw the carnage and devastation caused by the Scythians to some neighbouring nations as a prophetic picture of what would happen to rebellious Judah in the approaching day of the Lord.

Content of the book

There is a dire warning of what would happen to Judah if the nation persisted in its waywardness. This is followed by a prophetic word of judgement on the surrounding nations: Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia and Assyria (2:4-15). Then comes an appeal for repentance (2:3):
"Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
who do his commands;
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
Perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
"
This appeal is addressed only to the humble and obedient, NOT to the whole nation of Judah. God always had a remnant, even during the reigns of the evil kings Manasseh and Amon. The faithful remnant were there when Josiah came to the throne, and were longing for God to restore a purified religion to the nation. Zephaniah addressed this appeal to them. They were ready to hear it and to follow their king in his religious reforms. Unfortunately, there were not able to retain power after Josiah's tragic death at the battle of Megiddo in 609 BC.

The predictions of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by Babylon were seen as a foreshadowing of the eschatological Day of the Lord. There is still a note of hope, both "those who are left in Israel" (3:13) and the nations (3:9-10) will be blessed in the coming day of the Lord.

Structure of the book

A. Heading (1:1)

B. Judgement: world to Jerusalem (1:2-6)

C. The Day of the Lord (1:7 - 3:20)

  I. The day announced (1:7)

  II. A day of ... JUDGEMENT (1:8 - 3:8)
    1) Wrath on idolatry and sin (1:8-18)
      a) On God's people (1:8-13)
      b) On the whole world (1:14-18)
    2) Plea to repent before it is too late (2:1-3)
    3) Nations to be judged - as example (2:4 - 3:7)
      a) Philistia - seacoast (W) (2:4-7)
      b) Moab & Ammon (E) (2:8-11)
      c) Ethiopia (S) (2:12)
      d) Assyria (N) (2:13-15)
      e) Jerusalem - like other nations (3:1-7)
    4) Climax - wrath on whole earth (3:8)

  III. A day of ... HOPE (3:9-20)
    1) Purification of Judah and nations (3:9-10)
    2) Cleansing to leave faithful remnant (3:11-13)
    3) Call to rejoice, Yahweh is king of his people (3:14-18a)
    4) Blessings promised by God (3:18b-20)

The Day of the Lord

The most characteristic theme of Zechariah is the Day of the Lord. A prophetic theme he developed more than other prophets. The day of the Lord has two contrasting aspects: It is both a day of judgement, as well as a day of deliverance and hope.

A day of judgement on the whole world

It describes the intrusion, or breaking in, of Yahweh into human affairs. His coming, or theophany, is described by various images, including the Warrior, the Judge, and the Great King.

The Day of the Lord brings judgement on all creation (1:2-3). It is like the Noah’s flood, but even more extensive. Nothing will escape the coming judgement, which will affect humans, animals, birds, and even the fish of the sea. Judgement in the flood came through water, this time it will come with fire (as 2 Pet 3). “In the fire of my passion all the earth shall be consumed” (3:8). In his judgement, his wrath and jealousy is expressed against everything, before he establishes his everlasting kingdom.

The Day of the Lord is both historical and eschatological. God’s acts of judgement take place within history, but these foreshadow the final judgement. This is when all evil, corruption and sin will be absolutely removed from the earth (1:3). Every judgement within history, whether on Israel, Judah or pagan nations, is the final judgement breaking into history.

On the Day of the Lord all of creation must submit to God’s sovereignty, whether willingly or not (cf Phil 2:10 - every knee will bow). All aspects of creation are called to be silent. “Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the lord is at hand, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice he has consecrated his guests.” (1:7). To be silent is to recognise the Yahweh is the judge, and a call to change behaviour as preparation for his judgement. Because the day of the Lord within history always points to the final judgement, it is always near. “The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast ...” (1:14).

On the Day of the Lord there is no distinction between people, whether rich or poor, powerful or weak, religious or not. The only distinction is between the wicked and the humble. No aspect of human civilisation will be able to save them, “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath ...” (1:18). The humble are those who trust in God alone, have abandoned themselves to him, those who seek him, and his kingdom. The humble consist of Jews, Gentiles, all who place their hope in the Lord. “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land ..." (2:3). The day of the Lord will bring a separation between the righteous, who will possess the kingdom, and the wicked, who will not.

The day of the Lord is the day of vindication, glorification, and the full redemption of the godly (3:14-20). They will enjoy God’s presence, “The king of Israel is in your midst, you shall fear disaster no more” (3:15), “The Lord, your God, is in your midst ... He will rejoice over you ...” (3:17).

A day of hope and deliverance

The day of the Lord is a day of hope for the faithful remnant. Even though the day is fixed, and cannot be altered, there is a glimmer of hope for the faithful - the humble of the land. God calls people to repentance:
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his commands; seek righteousness,
seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the Lord’s wrath.”
(2:3)

The remnant are the people of the future, who will inherit the promised kingdom. The remnant are the true worshippers of God. This new worshipping community becomes universal, to include both Jews and Gentiles. In the prophecy against Moab, “to him shall bow down, each in his place, all the coasts and islands of the nations” (2:11). The new community will be cleansed and their hearts will be transformed, “At that time I will change the speech of the peoples (nations) to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord, and serve him with one accord. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, my scattered ones, shall bring my offering.” (3:9-10).

God will remove those with proud and rebellious hearts, leaving a humble and lowly people (3:11). They will seek refuge in the name of the Lord (3:12), and enjoy the blessings of the promised kingdom. The new community are called to rejoice and enjoy God’s salvation, because the judgements have been taken away (3:15), and God is in their midst, rejoicing over them (3:16-17). In response, his people are called to rejoice and sing praise to their Lord, the divine warrior (3:14).

Related articles

Interpreting OT Prophets Dates of kings of Israel and Judah
The Babylonian empire

The Bible

Pages which look at issues relevant to the whole Bible, such as the Canon of Scripture, as well as doctrinal and theological issues. There are also pages about the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha and 'lost books' of the Old Testament.

Also included are lists of the quotations of the OT in the NT, and passages of the OT quoted in the NT.

Why These 66 Books?
Books in the Hebrew Scriptures
Quotations in NT From OT
OT Passages Quoted in NT
History of the English Bible
Twelve Books of the Apocrypha
The Pseudepigrapha - False Writings
Lost Books Referenced in OT

Old Testament Overview

This is a series of six pages which give a historical overview through the Old Testament and the inter-testamental period, showing where each OT book fits into the history of Israel.

OT 1: Creation and Patriarchs
OT 2: Exodus and Wilderness
OT 3: Conquest and Monarchy
OT 4: Divided kingdom and Exile
OT 5: Return from Exile
OT 6: 400 Silent Years

New Testament Overview

This is a series of five pages which give a historical overview through the New Testament, focusing on the Ministry of Jesus, Paul's missionary journeys, and the later first century. Again, it shows where each book of the NT fits into the history of the first century.

NT 1: Life and Ministry of Jesus
NT 2: Birth of the Church
NT 3: Paul's Missionary Journeys
NT 4: Paul's Imprisonment
NT 5: John and Later NT

Introductions to Old Testament Books

This is an almost complete collection of introductions to each of the books in the Old Testament. Each contains information about the authorship, date, historical setting and main themes of the book.

Genesis Exodus Leviticus
Numbers Deuteronomy

Joshua Judges Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel 1 & 2 Kings Chronicles
Ezra & Nehemiah Esther

Job Psalms Proverbs

Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations
Ezekiel Daniel

Hosea Joel Amos
Obadiah Jonah Micah
Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah
Haggai Zechariah Malachi

Introductions to New Testament Books

This is a collection of introductions to each of the 27 books in the New Testament. Each contains information about the authorship, date, historical setting and main themes of the book.

Matthew's Gospel Mark's Gospel Luke's Gospel
John's Gospel

Book of Acts

Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians
Galatians Ephesians Philippians
Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy
2 Timothy Titus Philemon

Hebrews James 1 Peter
2 Peter 1 John 2 & 3 John
Jude

Revelation

Old Testament History

Information about the different nations surrounding Israel, and other articles concerning Old Testament history and the inter-testamental period.

Canaanite Religion
Israel's Enemies During the Conquest
Syria / Aram
The Assyrian Empire
Babylon and its History
The Persian Empire
The Greek Empire
The 400 Silent Years
The Ptolemies and Seleucids
Antiochus IV - Epiphanes

Old Testament Studies

A series of articles covering more general topics for OT studies. These include a list of the people named in the OT and confirmed by archaeology. There are also pages to convert the different units of measure in the OT, such as the talent, cubit and ephah into modern units.

More theological topics include warfare in the ancient world, the Holy Spirit in the OT, and types of Jesus in the OT.

OT People Confirmed by Archaeology
The Jewish Calendar
The Importance of Paradox
Talent Converter (weights)
Cubit Converter (lengths)
OT People Search
Ephah Converter (volumes)
Holy War in the Ancient World
The Holy Spirit in the OT
Types of Jesus in the OT

Studies in the Pentateuch (Gen - Deut)

A series of articles covering studies in the five books of Moses. Studies in the Book of Genesis look at the historical nature of the early chapters of Genesis, the Tower of Babel and the Table of the Nations.

There are also pages about covenants, the sacrifices and offerings, the Jewish festivals and the tabernacle, as well as the issue of tithing.

Are chapters 1-11 of Genesis historical?
Chronology of the Flood
Genealogies of the Patriarchs
Table of the Nations (Gen 10)
Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9)

Authorship of the Pentateuch
Chronology of the Wilderness Years
Names of God in the OT
Covenants in the OT
The Ten Commandments
The Tabernacle and its Theology
Sacrifices and Offerings
The Jewish Festivals
Balaam and Balak
Tithing
Highlights from Deuteronomy
Overview of Deuteronomy

Studies in the Old Testament History Books (Josh - Esther)

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the history books. These include a list of the dates of the kings of Israel and Judah, a summary of the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and studies of Solomon, Jeroboam and Josiah.

There are also pages describing some of the historical events of the period, including the Syro-Ephraimite War, and the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 BC.

Dates of the Kings of Judah and Israel
King Solomon
The Kings of Israel
King Jeroboam I of Israel
The Syro-Ephraimite War (735 BC)
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah (701 BC)
King Josiah of Judah
Differences Between Kings and Chronicles
Chronology of the post-exilic period

Studies in the Old Testament Prophets (Is - Mal)

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the OT prophets. These include a page looking at the way the prophets look ahead into their future, a page looking at the question of whether Satan is a fallen angel, and a page studying the seventy weeks of Daniel.

There are also a series of pages giving a commentary through the text of two of the books:
Isaiah (13 pages) and Daniel (10 pages).

Prophets and the Future
The Call of Jeremiah (Jer 1)
The Fall of Satan? (Is 14, Ezek 28)
Daniel Commentary (10 pages)
Isaiah Commentary (13 pages)
Formation of the Book of Jeremiah


Daniel's Seventy Weeks (Dan 9:24-27)

New Testament Studies

A series of articles covering more general topics for NT studies. These include a list of the people in the NT confirmed by archaeology.

More theological topics include the Kingdom of God and the Coming of Christ.

NT People Confirmed by Archaeology
The Kingdom of God / Heaven
Parousia (Coming of Christ)
The Importance of Paradox

Studies in the Four Gospels (Matt - John)

A series of articles covering various studies in the four gospels. These include a list of the unique passages in each of the Synoptic Gospels and helpful information about the parables and how to interpret them.

Some articles look at the life and ministry of Jesus, including his genealogy, birth narratives, transfiguration, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the seating arrangements at the Last Supper.

More theological topics include the teaching about the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete and whether John the Baptist fulfilled the predictions of the coming of Elijah.

Unique Passages in the Synoptic Gospels
The SynopticProblem
Genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1)
Birth Narratives of Jesus
Understanding the Parables
Peter's Confession and the Transfiguration
Was John the Baptist Elijah?
The Triumphal Entry
The Olivet Discourse (Mark 13)
Important themes in John's Gospel
John's Gospel Prologue (John 1)
Jesus Fulfilling Jewish Festivals
Reclining at Table at the Last Supper
The Holy Spirit as the Paraclete

Studies in the Book of Acts and the New Testament Letters

A series of articles covering various studies in the Book of Acts and the Letters, including Paul's letters. These include a page studying the messages given by the apostles in the Book of Acts, and the information about the financial collection that Paul made during his third missionary journey. More theological topics include Paul's teaching on Jesus as the last Adam, and descriptions of the church such as the body of Christ and the temple, as well as a look at redemption and the issue of fallen angels.

There are a series of pages giving a commentary through the text of five of the books:
Romans (7 pages), 1 Corinthians (7 pages), Galatians (3 pages), Philemon (1 page) and Hebrews (7 pages)

Apostolic Messages in the Book of Acts
Paul and His Apostleship
Collection for the Saints
The Church Described as a Temple
Church as the Body of Christ
Jesus as the Last Adam
Food Offered to Idols
Paul's Teaching on Headcoverings
Who are the Fallen Angels
The Meaning of Redemption
What is the Church?
Paul and the Greek Games

Romans Commentary (7 pages)

1 Corinthians Commentary (7 pages)

Galatians Commentary (3 pages)

Philemon Commentary (1 page)

Hebrews Commentary (7 pages)

Studies in the Book of Revelation

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the study of the Book of Revelation and topics concerning Eschatology (the study of end-times).

These include a description of the structure of the book, a comparison and contrast between the good and evil characters in the book and a list of the many allusions to the OT. For the seven churches, there is a page which gives links to their location on Google maps.

There is a page studying the important theme of Jesus as the Lamb, which forms the central theological truth of the book. There are pages looking at the major views of the Millennium, as well as the rapture and tribulation, as well as a list of dates of the second coming that have been mistakenly predicted through history.

There is also a series of ten pages giving a detailed commentry through the text of the Book of Revelation.

Introduction to the Book of Revelation
Characters Introduced in the Book
Structure of Revelation
List of Allusions to OT
The Description of Jesus as the Lamb
Virtual Seven Churches of Revelation
The Nero Redivius Myth
The Millennium (1000 years)
The Rapture and the Tribulation
Different Approaches to Revelation
Predicted Dates of the Second Coming

Revelation Commentary (10 pages)

How to do Inductive Bible Study

These are a series of pages giving practical help showing how to study the Bible inductively, by asking a series of simple questions. There are lists of observation and interpretation questions, as well as information about the structure and historical background of biblical books, as well as a list of the different types of figures of speech used in the Bible. There is also a page giving helpful tips on how to apply the Scriptures personally.

How to Study the Bible Inductively
I. The Inductive Study Method
II. Observation Questions
III. Interpretation Questions
IV. Structure of Books
V. Determining the Historical background
VI. Identifying Figures of Speech
VII. Personal Application
VIII. Text Layout

Types of Literature in the Bible

These are a series of pages giving practical help showing how to study each of the different types of book in the Bible by appreciating the type of literature being used. These include historical narrative, law, wisdom, prophets, Gospels, Acts, letters and Revelation.

It is most important that when reading the Bible we are taking note of the type of literature we are reading. Each type needs to be considered and interpreted differently as they have different purposes.

How to Understand OT Narratives
How to Understand OT Law
Hebrew Poetry
OT Wisdom Literature
Understanding the OT Prophets
The Four Gospels
The Parables of Jesus
The Book of Acts
How to Understand the NT Letters
Studying End Times (Eschatology)
The Book of Revelation

Geography and Archaeology

These are a series of pages giving geographical and archaeological information relevant to the study of the Bible. There is a page where you can search for a particular geographical location and locate it on Google maps, as well as viewing photographs on other sites.

There are also pages with photographs from Ephesus and Corinth.

Search for Geographical Locations
Major Archaeological Sites in Israel
Archaeological Sites in Assyria, Babylon and Persia
Virtual Paul's Missionary Journeys
Virtual Seven Churches of Revelation
Photos of the City of Corinth
Photos of the City of Ephesus

Biblical Archaeology in Museums around the world

A page with a facility to search for artifacts held in museums around the world which have a connection with the Bible. These give information about each artifact, as well as links to the museum's collection website where available showing high resolution photographs of the artifact.

There is also page of photographs from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem of important artifacts.

Search Museums for Biblical Archaeology
Israel Museum Photos

Difficult Theological and Ethical Questions

These are a series of pages looking at some of the more difficult questions of Christian theology, including war, suffering, disappointment and what happens to those who have never heard the Gospel.

Christian Ethics
Never Heard the Gospel
Is there Ever a Just War?
Why Does God Allow Suffering
Handling Disappointment

How to Preach

These are a series of pages giving a practical step-by-step explanation of the process of preparing a message for preaching, and how to lead a small group Bible study.

What is Preaching?
I. Two Approaches to Preaching
II. Study a Passage for Preaching
III. Creating a Message Outline
IV. Making Preaching Relevant
V. Presentation and Public Speaking
VI. Preaching Feedback and Critique
Leading a Small Group Bible Study

Information for SBS staff members

Two pages particularly relevant for people serving as staff on the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) in YWAM. One gives helpful instruction about how to prepare to teach on a book in the SBS. The other gives a list of recommended topics which can be taught about for each book of the Bible.

Teaching on SBS Book Topics for SBS