Revision #13237
Zephaniah
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- Zephaniah is the ninth of the Minor Prophets (the twelve shorter prophetic books) of the Old Testament. It is preceded by Habakkuk and followed by Haggai. The book consists of three chapters and 53 verses. The Hebrew name *Tsephanyah* is usually interpreted as "the LORD has hidden" or "the LORD has protected."
+ Zephaniah is the ninth of the Minor Prophets, the twelve shorter prophetic books of the Old Testament. It follows Habakkuk and precedes Haggai. The book has three chapters and 53 verses. The Hebrew name *Tsephanyah* is usually interpreted as "the LORD has hidden" or "the LORD has protected."
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- Zephaniah 1:1 states that this prophecy came "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah." The same verse traces the prophet's genealogy back four generations to "Hizkiah" (Hezekiah). Many interpreters identify this Hezekiah with the king of Judah of that name, though some hold that there is no firm basis for the identification. Josiah reigned in the latter part of the seventh century BC. Because the book contains extensive denunciations of idolatry, a widely held view dates it before Josiah's religious reforms were fully under way.
+ Zephaniah 1:1 states that the word of the LORD came to the prophet "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah." The same verse traces his genealogy back four generations to Hizkiah (Hezekiah). Many interpreters identify this ancestor with King Hezekiah of Judah, though some hold that the identification cannot be confirmed. Josiah reigned in the late seventh century BC. Because the book contains extensive denunciations of idolatry, a widely held view dates it before Josiah's religious reforms were fully under way.
=
- The content generally falls into three parts:
+ The book generally falls into three parts:
=
- - **Chapter 1**: Proclaims "the day of the LORD" that will come upon Judah and Jerusalem, that is, the day on which God Himself executes judgment. Zephaniah 1:14–18 is the best-known passage. The medieval Latin hymn *Dies Irae* ("Day of Wrath") takes its opening line from 1:15 in the Latin Bible (the Vulgate).
- - **Chapter 2**: Announces judgment on the surrounding nations, including Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia (Cush), and Assyria (Nineveh).
- - **Chapter 3**: Rebukes the sins of Jerusalem and concludes with the promise that God will leave a humble "remnant" and restore it (3:12–20).
+ - **Chapter 1**: Proclaims "the day of the LORD" that will come upon Judah and Jerusalem, the day on which God Himself executes judgment. Zephaniah 1:14–18 is the best-known passage. The medieval Latin hymn *Dies Irae* ("Day of Wrath") takes its opening line from 1:15 in the Latin Vulgate.
+ - **Chapter 2**: Announces judgment on the surrounding nations, including Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush (Ethiopia), and Assyria (Nineveh).
+ - **Chapter 3**: Rebukes the sins of Jerusalem and concludes with God's promise to leave a humble remnant and restore it (3:12–20).
=
= The theme of "the day of the LORD" also links the book with Joel and Amos.
=
- ## Use in Korean Churches
+ ## Use in the Church
=
- The best-known verse among Korean churches is Zephaniah 3:17. The New Korean Revised Version renders it in words close to the KJV's "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy…" The verse is frequently used for Scripture memorization, as a word of encouragement and blessing, and in the lyrics of praise songs.
+ Churches that follow a lectionary, a list of passages appointed for reading each Sunday according to the church year, read from this book in public worship. In the Revised Common Lectionary, Zephaniah 3:14–20 is appointed for the Third Sunday of Advent in Year C, the third year of the three-year cycle. In churches that emphasize expository preaching, which works through a biblical text in order, or reading through the Bible, the book is often treated in sermon series on the Minor Prophets or in Bible-reading programs.
=
- Churches that use a lectionary (a list of passages appointed for reading each Sunday) based on the church year also read this book. In churches following the Revised Common Lectionary, 3:14–20 is read on the Third Sunday of Advent in Year C (the third year of the three-year cycle). This practice is found mainly in churches that use a lectionary, such as the Anglican Church of Korea and some Methodist churches. In Presbyterian, Baptist, Full Gospel, and other churches that emphasize expository preaching (preaching that works through a biblical text in order) or reading through the Bible, the book is often covered in sermon series on the Minor Prophets or in Bible-reading programs.
+ Interpretations of "the day of the LORD" vary among churches and scholars. Those who follow dispensationalism tend to connect it with a future Great Tribulation and the restoration of Israel. Interpreters in covenant theology and the Reformed tradition often look first to its historical fulfillment, such as the Babylonian invasion, and see that fulfillment as a foreshadowing of the Last Judgment. These differences reflect each church's understanding of eschatology.
=
- Interpretations of "the day of the LORD" vary among churches and scholars. Those who follow dispensationalism tend to read it in connection with a future Great Tribulation and the restoration of Israel. In covenant theology and the Reformed tradition, interpreters often look first to its historical fulfillment, such as the Babylonian invasion, and understand that fulfillment as a foreshadowing of the Last Judgment. These differences are bound up with each church's understanding of eschatology.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, the best-known verse from the book is Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy…" (KJV). The verse, as rendered in the New Korean Revised Version, is widely used for Scripture memorization, as a word of encouragement and blessing, and in the lyrics of praise songs. Among Korean churches, lectionary use is found mainly in the Anglican Church of Korea and some Methodist churches, while Presbyterian, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches more often encounter the book through expository sermon series or Bible-reading programs.
Zephaniah is the ninth book of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. It records the prophet Zephaniah's warnings of judgment on "the day of the LORD" and his promise that a remnant will be restored, delivered during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. The book has three chapters.
Zephaniah is the ninth of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. Delivered by the prophet Zephaniah during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, it warns of judgment on "the day of the LORD" and promises the restoration of a remnant. The book has three chapters.
Full revision
Zephaniah is the ninth of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Old Testament. Delivered by the prophet Zephaniah during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, it warns of judgment on "the day of the LORD" and promises the restoration of a remnant. The book has three chapters.
Definition and Meaning
Zephaniah is the ninth of the Minor Prophets, the twelve shorter prophetic books of the Old Testament. It follows Habakkuk and precedes Haggai. The book has three chapters and 53 verses. The Hebrew name Tsephanyah is usually interpreted as "the LORD has hidden" or "the LORD has protected."
Biblical and Historical Background
Zephaniah 1:1 states that the word of the LORD came to the prophet "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah." The same verse traces his genealogy back four generations to Hizkiah (Hezekiah). Many interpreters identify this ancestor with King Hezekiah of Judah, though some hold that the identification cannot be confirmed. Josiah reigned in the late seventh century BC. Because the book contains extensive denunciations of idolatry, a widely held view dates it before Josiah's religious reforms were fully under way.
The book generally falls into three parts:
- Chapter 1: Proclaims "the day of the LORD" that will come upon Judah and Jerusalem, the day on which God Himself executes judgment. Zephaniah 1:14–18 is the best-known passage. The medieval Latin hymn Dies Irae ("Day of Wrath") takes its opening line from 1:15 in the Latin Vulgate.
- Chapter 2: Announces judgment on the surrounding nations, including Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush (Ethiopia), and Assyria (Nineveh).
- Chapter 3: Rebukes the sins of Jerusalem and concludes with God's promise to leave a humble remnant and restore it (3:12–20).
The theme of "the day of the LORD" also links the book with Joel and Amos.
Use in the Church
Churches that follow a lectionary, a list of passages appointed for reading each Sunday according to the church year, read from this book in public worship. In the Revised Common Lectionary, Zephaniah 3:14–20 is appointed for the Third Sunday of Advent in Year C, the third year of the three-year cycle. In churches that emphasize expository preaching, which works through a biblical text in order, or reading through the Bible, the book is often treated in sermon series on the Minor Prophets or in Bible-reading programs.
Interpretations of "the day of the LORD" vary among churches and scholars. Those who follow dispensationalism tend to connect it with a future Great Tribulation and the restoration of Israel. Interpreters in covenant theology and the Reformed tradition often look first to its historical fulfillment, such as the Babylonian invasion, and see that fulfillment as a foreshadowing of the Last Judgment. These differences reflect each church's understanding of eschatology.
In Korean Protestant churches, the best-known verse from the book is Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy…" (KJV). The verse, as rendered in the New Korean Revised Version, is widely used for Scripture memorization, as a word of encouragement and blessing, and in the lyrics of praise songs. Among Korean churches, lectionary use is found mainly in the Anglican Church of Korea and some Methodist churches, while Presbyterian, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches more often encounter the book through expository sermon series or Bible-reading programs.