Chapter 3, god demonstrates how he gives the sinner what they do not deserve. The name of zephaniah means treasured protected, hidden of jehovah. Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations. 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 shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. The lord gave this message to zephaniah when josiah was king. God will judge the nations with a burning fire as he purifies them from sin, evil and violence. The little prophecy of zephaniah presents the dark side of the love of god. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities. On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me. The day of the lord is at hand, a terrible day for those who have rebelled. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible. Zephaniahs primary target for gods message of judgment, the nation of judah, had fallen into grievous sin under the reign of their king, manasseh.
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. The book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. To read the entire prophetic book of zephaniah, just click on. You sent letters in your own name to all the people in jerusalem, to the priest zephaniah son of maaseiah, and to all the other priests. The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. The book of zephaniah follows the pattern of the four rs rebellion, retribution, repentance, restoration. The last chapter depicts peoples from all over the world coming to worship god, who desires that all people follow him. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. Nevertheless, this is a great book with a significant. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. You sent letters in your own name to all the people in jerusalem, to the priest zephaniah son of maaseiah. Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. This is what the lord almighty, the god of israel, says.
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. Zephaniah 1 easy english bible easy 1 this is the lords message, which he gave to zephaniah, cushis son. 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 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Study zephaniah 2 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
The book of zephaniah is set in the reign of king josiah 640609 bce, israels reforming monarch, though some of the visions in the book, including the final oracle, may reflect a later exilic or postexilic perspective. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. 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. 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 contains some of the most intense images of gods justice and love found in the prophetic books. The book of zechariah is narrative history, prophetic and apocalyptic in genre. 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.
Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. Zephaniah in chapters 12, zephaniah, 20 years prior to their captivity, foretells about the looming judgment that was awaiting judah if they did not turn back to yhwh. This summary of the book of zephaniah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of zephaniah. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. He prophesied during king josiahs righteous reign followed by the sinful reigns of manasseh and amon, who led the nation into various kinds of idolatry. Zephaniah pleaded, seek ye the lord, all ye meek of. Study the bible online using commentary on zephaniah and more.
It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the. Zephaniah was a prophet at the same time when jeremiah was a prophet. A new translation with introduction and commentary. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. Zephaniah, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. Zephaniah commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Bible book list access the niv cultural backgrounds study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus. The prophet zechariah wrote chapters 18 approximately 520518 b. Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. Book of zephaniah, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the. Read zephaniah commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Access the niv cultural backgrounds study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus.
Zephaniah is the only prophet to mention four generations of his ancestors. Thus the period from 640 to 622 is the likely time for the giving of the prophecy. The people rebel against the teachings of the lord or his servants the prophets. Edward gibbon in his book the decline and fall of the roman empire. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. In that respect, its possible to think of the book of zechariah as a kind of miniature book of isaiah. Zephaniah warns israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the lord is near. In hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning yahweh hides perhaps reflecting the terror of the days of manasseh when zephaniah. It is a postexilic book, meaning it was written after post the return from captivity exile in babylon. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. Zephaniah includes one of the most vivid descriptions in the prophetic literature of gods wrath. Also within the book is a proclamation of a restoration for those who survive the great day of the lord.
Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to. 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 with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Introduction286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for being. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. Zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed. The book of zechariah teaches that salvation may be obtained by all. Commentary on zephaniah the book of the twelve minor prophets 1845 james rosscup writes this 1858 work supplies much help on matters of the text, word meaning, resolving some problems, etc.
The fearsome day of the lords anger commentary on the book of zephaniah pdf rich cathers. Before the temple completed, and then wrote chapters 914 approximately 480 b. Sophonias, which is borne by three other men mentioned in the old testament, means yah hides, or yah has hidden or. Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. Josiah was the son of amon, who was the king of judah 2 it is the lord who is speaking now. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah. Dec 28, 2016 zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. To read the entire prophetic book of zephaniah, just click on the links to the chapters listed below. The lord exacts retribution or judgement against them. He prophesied during king josiahs righteous reign followed by the sinful reigns of manasseh. Zephaniah lived during one of the worst times in the history of judah, under the evil reign of king manasseh. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of. It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer future.
The book of zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of messianic about the messiah passages among the minor prophets. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Zephaniah predicts that god has bigger plans than the end of the world. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. However, these facts can be explained in other ways and it seems best not to draw a firm conclusion either way on this point. So often found in the teachings of the prophets of israel. David guzik commentary on zephaniah 1 describes gods promise and intensity of. Some have found it one of the most contributive sources in getting at what a text means. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. Zephaniah commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Gedaliahs father was amariah, and amariahs father was hezekiah. I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the lord.
Feb 23, 2017 zephaniah predicts that god has bigger plans than the end of the world. Zephaniah 2 bible commentary matthew henry concise. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. It was zephaniahs lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. Zechariah pictures christ in both his first coming zechariah 9. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. Zephaniah explained that on this day god would punish the proud and mighty and reward the righteous. Book of zephaniah, also called sophonias, 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. He is a god of love, but he is also a god of judgment. Watch our overview video on the book of zephaniah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
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