Dictionary entry details book of zephaniah noun sense 1. Zephaniah s message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. 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 word of the lord which came to zephaniah the son of. 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 book of zephaniah is a book of the bible and is thought to be written by zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah the book begins by telling of gods judgement on the kingdom of judah. In hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning yahweh hides perhaps reflecting the. The pleasure of god in the good of his people desiring god. Zephaniah definition is a hebrew prophet of the seventh century b. Watch our overview video on the book of zephaniah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Access the niv cultural backgrounds study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot. It was zephaniahs lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. 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. A son of cushi, and author of the book of zephaniah written around 630 bc a musician in the days of david 1 chronicles 6. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Josiah had begun to reign in judah about 80 years after the northern kingdom of israel had been swept away by the assyrian invaders.
The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. A son of cushi, and author of the book of zephaniah written around 630 bc. Book of zephaniah noun the noun book of zephaniah has 1 sense 1. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. Book of zephaniah an old testament book telling the prophecies of zephaniah which are concerned mainly with the approaching judgment by god upon. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great.
Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement. The book of zephaniah introduction to the book of zephaniah in the bible. Zephaniah definition and meaning collins english dictionary. You can follow the abbreviation with a chapter andor verse reference specified e.
Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. Zephaniah means yahweh hides or has hidden, hidden in yahweh, yahwehs watchman, or yahweh treasured. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to king hezekiah ca. The book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. A priest who was a contemporary of his famous namesake and an acquaintance of jeremiah jeremiah 21. Zephaniah delivered this message during the reign of king josiah son of amon of judah zephaniah 1. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. 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. The book of zephaniah is a book of the bible and is thought to be written by zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah. Book of zephaniah synonyms, book of zephaniah pronunciation, book of zephaniah translation, english dictionary definition of book of zephaniah. Zephaniah definition, a minor prophet of the 7th century b.
Three other old testament individuals share his name. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. Nor is it impossible that zephaniah should have been the great grandson of. Zephaniah, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. Book of zephaniah simple english wikipedia, the free. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. Zephaniah definition of zephaniah by merriamwebster. As with many of the other prophets, there is no external evidence to directly associate composition of the book with a prophet by the name of zephaniah. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom. In hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning yahweh hides perhaps reflecting the terror of the days of manasseh when. Many books have more than one accepted abbreviation. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Search with bible book abbreviations bible gateway.
The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. On bible gateway, you can enter book abbreviations into the search bar to save time when you search. 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. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops. Thus the period from 640 to 622 is the likely time for the giving of the prophecy. Book of zephaniah, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, collected in one book, the twelve, in the. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. The chief characteristics of this book are the unity and harmony of the composition, the grace, energy and dignity of its style, and the rapid and effective alternations of threats and promises. On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me. Zephaniah and his contemporaries, jeremiah and habakkuk, were some of the prophets god used to pronounce this warning message. Zephaniah definition of zephaniah by the free dictionary. Book of zephaniah definition of book of zephaniah by the. 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. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah.
Despite the fact that zephaniah warns judah of impending doom, the prophecy is dual, and the major fulfillment of his prophecy is yet future. Information and translations of book of zephaniah in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. Sophonias, which is borne by three other men mentioned in the old testament, means yah hides, or yah has hidden or. Nevertheless, this is a great book with a significant. 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. His pedigree is traced to his fourth ancestor, hezekiah, zephaniah 1. Some say the day of the lord describes gods ongoing judgment across hundreds or even. 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. Judgment on the whole earth in the day of the lord i will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the lord.
Who is zephaniah and why is he important in the bible. The prophet used a simple structure of eight visions zechariah 1. The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. In biblical names the meaning of the name zephaniah is. Zephaniah 1 kjv the word of the lord which came unto. Zephaniah synonyms, zephaniah pronunciation, zephaniah translation, english dictionary definition of zephaniah. Book of zephaniah, 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. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and. 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. Some scholars believe that much of the material does not date from the days of king josiah, but is actually postmonarchic. Three times god says i will sweep away in chapter 1 verses 1 and 2.
Social injustice and moral corruption were widespread 3. An old testament book telling the prophecies of zephaniah which are concerned mainly with the approaching judgment by god upon the sinners of judah. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of. He is a god of love, but he is also a god of judgment. The uncertainty arises over the etymology of the prophets name, which scholars dispute. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. Dec 28, 2016 zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. The little prophecy of zephaniah presents the dark side of the love of god. The title of the book comes from the name of its writer. The word of the lord which came unto zephaniah the son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of. Meaning yahweh remembers, zechariahs name was appropriate to the purpose of his prophecies.
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. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. This prophetic concept refers to any intervention of god in. The chief characteristics of this book are the unity and harmony of the composition, the grace, energy and dignity of its style, and the rapid.
It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. Book of zechariah overview insight for living ministries. Book of zephaniah the day of the lord is coming learn religions. The book of zephaniah, the early discourses of jeremiah, and 2ki 2123 furnish a vivid picture of the social, moral, and religious conditions in judah at the time zephaniah prophesied.
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