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