Thus the period from 640 to 622 is the likely time for the giving of the prophecy. Zephaniah 3 jerusalem woe to the city of bible gateway. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry 1. This day is one of judgment against those who sin against god, and one of blessing for those who follow him. Zephaniah, israelite prophet, said to be the author of one of the shorter old testament prophetical books, who proclaimed the approaching divine judgment. The date and background of zephaniah, jnes, vii 1948, 2533. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great.
Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of his prophecy is yet future. In this historical context, zephaniah urges judah to obedience to yahweh, saying that perhaps he will forgive them if they do. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible. Zephaniahs prophetic revelations and stern warnings occurred during josiahs reign zephaniah 1. 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. In hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning yahweh hides perhaps reflecting the terror of the days of manasseh when zephaniah. In its introduction to the book of obadiah, the oxford annotated bible suggests another explanation for the similarities. The chief purpose of zechariah and haggai was to rebuke the people of judah and to encourage and motivate them to complete the rebuilding of the temple zec 4. Zephaniah lived during one of the worst times in the history of judah, under the evil reign of king manasseh. Book of zephaniah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. However, his position ill accords with the internal evidence of the book.
Background to the book of zephaniah historical background. Obedience brings the encouragement and strength of the spirit. Intro to haggai biblica the international bible society. Nothing is known about the author, habakkuk who prophesied around 610 b. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. Not much is known about zechariahs life other than what may be inferred from the book. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. What is the historical background of the book of zechariah. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. Then there is benjamin zephaniah the childrens poet. Zephaniah overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides a freeflowing commentary on the entire text of each biblical book, along with background material. Josiah led judah to religious and social reform, but zephaniah declared that these spiritual changes would not last. Haggai clearly shows the consequences of disobedience 1.
The first verse of the book of zephaniah makes him a contemporary of josiah, king of judah reigned c. Zechariah pictures christ in both his first coming zechariah 9. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the. It has been speculated that his grandfather iddo was the head of a priestly family who returned with zerubbabel, and that zechariah may himself have been a priest as well as a prophet. Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. I must point out that there is doubt surrounding this date as there is dispute over whether obadiah is referring to the sacking of jerusalem by nebuchadnezzar in 586 bc or in fact referring to 845 bc when jerusalem was attacked by the philistines and the arabs. The book of zechariah is an extraordinary inspired book which contains unique insights into the workings and the mind of god. Most scholars prefer a date before josiahs reform in 621 bc, because zephaniah spends the book denouncing such syncretistic practices as baal worship and child sacrifice, which had become more widespread in israel since manassehs reign. Zephaniah intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible. At this point, it seems prudent to ask if these theories have any spiritual importance for us. Zephaniah may have been a contemporary of other old testament prophets such as jeremiah and nahum and the book of mormon prophet lehi see bible. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah.
The editorial introduction to the book says that zephaniah was active during the reign of king josiah, the son of amon, and the grandson of manasseh. Josephus places nahum during the reign of jotham, while others place him in the beginning of the reign of ahaz, judahs next king, or even the latter half of the reign of hezekiah, ahazs son. After first dealing with the relevant background issues of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah redemptivehistorical setting, theological perspective, date and authorship, and so onrobertson applies the care and precision of an exegete and the concern of a pastor to his versebyverse exposition of each book. The purpose of judgment is not vindictive, but to cleanse and purify in order that blessing and goodness might ensue from the ordeal. Gathering before his throne series which provides a historical overview of the book of zephaniah including background on king josiah. Zephaniah and his contemporaries, jeremiah and habakkuk, were some of the prophets god used to pronounce this warning message. Intro to zechariah biblica the international bible society. Scholars are all but unanimous in asserting that the genuine portions of the book. A quasipeace pervaded over the smaller regional nations, which in some respects is much like postwar america. Jerusalem woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. The book of zephaniah quartz hill school of theology.
Fortunately for judah it would not be long before josiah would begin his glorious reign, and it was during the revival that took place during this period that zephaniah began to prophesy. His first book of poetry for children called talking turkeys had to go into an emergency reprint after just 6 weeks, no one could foresee how popular the book would be, it went to the top of the childrens book list and stayed there for months. The book would then have been written in jerusalem, where nahum would have witnessed the invasion. The book of zechariah contains the clearest and the largest number of messianic about the messiah passages among the minor prophets. Whereas the prophet micah dealt carefully and sympathetically with the problems of the common people of judah, zephaniahs utterances show a much greater familiarity with. The first verse of this book tells us that the word of yahweh came to zephaniah, the son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hezekiah, in the days of josiah, the son of amon, king of judah 1. Apart from obadiah, haggai is the shortest book in the ot, but its teachings are none the less significant. Hag 12, though both prophets were clearly interested in spiritual renewal as well.
The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. The book of zechariah emerged from the immediate postexilic period, and is therefore a valuable source of information about a phase of jewish history which is deficient in extrabiblical documentation. The book of zephaniah niv audio holy bible high quality. Zephaniahs primary target for gods message of judgment, the nation of judah, had fallen into grievous sin under the reign of their king, manasseh. See the historical background of the book of zephaniah. What is unusual about zephaniah s family background.
Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. Zephaniah in the picture study bible the book of zephaniah. Zephaniah, book of this old testament book summarizes in its three chapters much of the prophetic teaching on the nature of true religion. From the fall of thebes to the fall of nineveh a critical and exegetical commentary on micah, zephaniah and nahum. She does not trust in the lord, she does not draw near to her god. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. 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. Introduction286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Zephaniah s prophecy deals with gods judgment upon his own people, followed by descriptions of divine judgment upon the surrounding nations, and finally a section dealing with the future hope of salvation under the messiah which will be enjoyed by a remnant of the people. Zephaniahs background zephaniah was the great grandson of hezekiah, supposably the good king of the past. In this book, habakkuk struggles to understand gods goodness in the. Apart from this statement, nothing more is said about his background. Watch our overview video on the book of habakkuk, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
The historical situation underlying the book of zechariah is identical with that which gave rise to the oracles of haggai. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord. The book of the revelation confirms this and places the time as the great tribulation. Nineveh is represented as in a state of peace and prosperity, and there is no suggestion of josiahs reform as having taken place. As such, this book is one of the most difficult to date with accuracy. When the people give priority to god and his house, they are blessed rather than cursed cf. Consideration of the contents and historical background of the book in this article will serve to highlight the prophets enduring message.
The occasion is the same as that of the book of haggai see background. Best commentaries and books on zephaniah logos bible software. Historic info background 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. His first book of poetry for children called talking turkeys had to go into an emergency reprint after just 6 weeks, no one could foresee how popular the book would be, it went to the top of the childrens book. Nov 03, 2015 the book of zephaniah from the holy bible new international version niv book 36 please note we have increased the volume and the pitch of the audio for a clearer sound, so this speed and. Zephaniah is the thirtysixth book in the christian old testament, falling between habakkuk and haggai. The book of zephaniah belongs to another dark period in judahs history. After first dealing with the relevant background issues of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniahredemptivehistorical setting, theological perspective, date and authorship, and so onrobertson applies the care and precision of an exegete and the concern of a pastor to his versebyverse exposition of each book. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines.
Zephaniahs message in the first chapter, he clearly speaks out on the peoples sins and retells judahs doom. 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 background information with maps and images. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. About one hundred years earlier, the prophets micah and isaiah had watched as the northern kingdom of israel was wiped out because of their unbelief and disobedience to the lord. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. Philip hyatt it is generally believed that the prophet zephaniah prophesied in the days of josiah, the son of amon, king of judah 1. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. 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 declares judgment on many nations, all of which opposed god through opposition to his people. In light of these events, a message of impending judgment is the primary burden of this figures preaching 1. 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. Zephaniah has been called the compendium of prophecy. Scholars are in agreement that zephaniah exercised his ministry in jerusalem prior of the reforms of josiah. Historical background of the book of micah along with a great influx of wealth into the israelite society during micahs time, came an increasing number of social evils. The three chapters which make up the book of zephaniah contain all the major themes of the bigger prophetic books. In that respect, its possible to think of the book of zechariah as a kind of miniature book of isaiah.
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