The book of zephaniah was alleged written by the prophet zephaniah, whose lineage is. According to the books introduction zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. Zephaniah lived in the capital of jerusalem compare with chap. In this book, zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. Book of zephaniah bible survey what are the major prophets and minor prophets.
Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. Edward gibbon in his book the decline and fall of the roman empire described the attitude towards religion in. Prophet zephaniah, gods day of judgment on nations and people. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to king hezekiah ca. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. David pawson unlocking the bible zephaniah on 20th sep, 2014 duration. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. Zephaniah was almost certainly born during the long, wicked reign of manasseh. 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. Twopage spread from johannes gutenbergs 42line bible, c. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. 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. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. Through the prophet zephaniah, we are taught that god uses various catastrophes to punish and humble nations.
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. Who is zephaniah and why is he important in the bible. Ek klesia we can see this greek word in the english ecclesiology study of the church. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. Nineveh, and the assyrian empire, was at its height of power. Introduction286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Indeed, his main message was regarding the day of the lord. Study zephaniah using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
The book of zephaniah introduction to the book of zephaniah in the bible. The contents of this book have never been familiar, and i doubt that it has been read very much. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. The answer is not directly found in the scripture passage as the other questions. The books of reference used for this study of the book of zephaniah were the bible, king james version, called the companion bible, publisher kregel. Zephaniah begins this section with a command to wait.
I dare say that few have ever heard a sermon on zephaniah. Nov 16, 2014 zephaniah, too, was a minor prophet, writing only 3 chapters to make his book. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot. Zephaniah, too, was a minor prophet, writing only 3 chapters to make his book. The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. 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 compare 2. Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. 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. It can be assume that the book was written before 612 bc because that is when nineveh was destroyed and since nahum is predicting the destruction of nineveh that would be a safe assumption. What does it mean to worship the starry host or the host of the heavens zephaniah 1. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom.
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. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. Interesting facts about zephaniah barnes bible charts meaning. Book of zephaniah john gills exposition of the bible. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of. It can be assume that the book was written before 612 bc because that is when nineveh was. The harpercollins study bible supplies headings for the book as follows. Book of zephaniah read bible verses online bible study tools.
Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. Jan 02, 2020 book of zephaniah bible survey what are the major prophets and minor prophets. Zephaniahs ministry, then, was directed to judah just before these major changes came about. Nevertheless, this is a great book with a significant. 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. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming. Zephaniah was an unusual prophet, in that he was of royal lineage, descending from the godly king hezekiah. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Aug 30, 2017 what is the book of zephaniah all about. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah. It is most likely that the book of the prophet zephaniah comes from a time after the rule of king josiah.
The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the l. Zephaniahs prophetic revelations and stern warnings occurred during josiahs reign zephaniah 1. In the book of revelation, this punishment is called the wrath of god revelation 14. 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. What kings of judah preceded zephaniahs prophetical work, and what king. By exposing his plan for the major powers zephaniah 2. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. Study guide for zephaniah 1 by david guzik blue letter bible.
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. Zephaniah was almost certainly born during the long, wicked reign of manasseh, whose reign began 55 years before the start of josiahs reign. 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 day vs 8 must refer to the tribulation when god will judge all the earth. It is also possible that the work of zephaniah contributed to his desire to turn the nation back towards the lord. While we do not know a lot about zephaniah, we do know that he was related to good king hezekiah.
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. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy.
In this book, zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on. While we do not know a lot about zephaniah, we do know that he was related to. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. All that is known of zephaniah comes from the text the name cushi, zephaniahs father, means cushite or ethiopian, and the text of zephaniah mentions the sin and restoration of. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah. Strongs exhaustive concordance of the bible, numbered to the hebrew, chaldee, and greek, and english, coded to the strongs concordance numbers. 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. This asterisk means that the question seeks for your opinions and thoughts.
Three other old testament individuals share his name. Zephaniah addressing people french bible, 16th century. The little book of zephaniah will never take the place of john 3. Timeline of nahum nahum is an early contemporary of habakkuk, zephaniah, and jeremiah. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. Book of zephaniah outline summary online bible nwt. The prophets nahum, habakkuk and jeremiah were his contemporaries. One cannot be certain of this, but my study of zephaniah has led me to. Book of zephaniah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. Zephaniah s ministry, then, was directed to judah just before these major changes came about. Book of zephaniah, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names.
Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniah s great. Bible study guide book of nahum united church of god. Nor is it impossible that zephaniah should have been the great grandson of. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement. Zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah. Watch our overview video on the book of zephaniah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible.
Here are a few examples of this time of punishment from the book of zephaniah. More precisely it can be inferred from his allusions to the state of morality and religion zeph 1. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Nahum is an early contemporary of habakkuk, zephaniah, and jeremiah. Josiah led judah to religious and social reform, but zephaniah declared that these spiritual changes would not last. When did moab and ammon eventually worship the lord zephaniah 2. The word of the lord that came to zephaniah son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hezekiah, during the reign of josiah son of amon king of judah. 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. The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. The people of judah would return to wickedness and rebellion against god.
Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons. This is a request to trust god to carry out his promises. Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations. Zephaniah was preaching at the same time as jeremiah in the days of josiah, a few years before nineveh fell.
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