Book of zephaniah bible survey what are the major prophets and minor prophets. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. The prophecy by zephaniah is a companion to that of habakkuk. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord. Zephaniah prophesied of the day of the lord zephaniah 1. The book of zephaniah occupies the ninth place among the twelve in all forms of the old testament, following habakkuk and preceding haggai. Unlike all the other prophets, zephaniah s genealogy is traced back for four generations. Zephaniah, also spelled sophonias, flourished 7th century bc, israelite prophet, said to be the author of one of the shorter old testament prophetical books, who proclaimed the approaching divine judgment. The book of zephaniah belongs to another dark period in judahs history. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. It is likely that the second term, which is omitted in the lxx, is a later scribal addition to the hebrew text, defining the extremely rare word that precedes see j.
Like other old testament prophets, zephaniah is a book rich in literary forms and features. We hope that the following list of synonyms for the word old testament book will help you to finish your crossword today. The book of zephaniah read by simon peterson by simon peterson available from rakuten kobo. Van gorder zephaniah zephaniah prophesied during the time of josiah, a time of temporary revival. 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 explained that on this day god would punish. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. In terms of simple chronology, the book of habakkuk is the last minor prophet before judah goes into exile, at the hands of the babylonians. 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 was written before 629 bc when josiah found and eagerly read the holy scriptures discovered in the temple. The book of the prophet zephaniah indicates that he ministered during the reign of josiah 640609, the last of the godly kings of judah cf. 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 existence of two zephaniahs linked to the book is considered purely hypothetical. Who is zephaniah and why is he important in the bible. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. The work of a prophet descended from king hezekiah, at the time of josiah, occupying ninth place in any listing of the twelve minor prophets, following habakkuk and preceding haggai. The book of zephaniah has been called a compendium of the oracles of the prophets 19 and the readers digest of old testament prophecy. The priest name zephaniah in the book of jeremiah 52. What are some of the significant contributions of the book of zephaniah.
Zephaniah is the thirtysixth book in the christian old testament, falling between habakkuk and haggai. Kjv bible verses from zephaniah offer free, online access, for those of the christian faith, to study scriptural passages for biblical studies, contained in. The prophetic book of the bible attributed to zephaniah occurs ninth among the twelve minor prophets, preceded by habakkuk and followed by haggai. Zephaniah, speaks how the god is going to destroy man and beast and those who have turned back from serving god. You can find the best commentary on zephaniah for you using the tools on the right side. Transcribed and edited by david sielaff, november 20. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. Zephaniah s message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. 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. He preceded the prophet jeremiah, who lived during the babylonian exile in 586 bc. Temporary or apparent, in comparison with the good or bad fortune of others 5.
Both prophets lived at the end of the assyrian period and the beginning of the. I believe we are given a clue by the placement of this book among the old testament minor prophets. Hezekiah this seems to relate to one of the godly kings of judah 716687 b. The book of zephaniah contains some of the most intense images of gods justice and love found in the prophetic books.
He lives and prophesied during the reign of king josiah, which places his book around 621 b. The kings of judah preceding zephaniahs prophecy are the first three in boldface type below. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to king hezekiah ca. Book of hosea, the first of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, considered as one book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. The minor prophets are referred to as such because of the briefness of their writing, not because of the content found within. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. A list of books with brief descriptions of contents. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement. The first verse of the book of zephaniah makes him a contemporary of josiah, king of judah reigned c. He saw the dark clouds of apostasy and judgment creeping over the horizon. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot.
The book of zephaniah contains no direct messianic prophecies, but the prophets focus on the day of the lord as the time of judgment and blessing connects his message with the work of christ. Exodus enslavement, moses, ten plagues, passover, leave egypt, red sea crossing, mt. There is a wealth of spiritual lessons and teachings in all of the old testament books, including the book of zephaniah. The last of the prophets immediately preceding the captivity. The kings of judah preceding zephaniah s prophecy are the first three in boldface type below.
Rosscup this is the best older, overall treatment of a critical nature on the old testament hebrew text verse by verse and is a good standard work to buy. Zephaniah was a prophet of doom in the true sense of the word. Zephaniah has been called the compendium of prophecy. Zephaniah lived during one of the worst times in the history of judah, under the evil reign of king manasseh. The old testament has 39 books total, which consist of. Old testament book crossword answers, clues, definition. During the period beginning with hezekiah and ending with jehoahaz, spiritual issues fluctuated according to the leadership of the king. The ninth of the twelve minor prophets of the canon of the old testament. Historical introduction zephaniah the prophet prophesied during the reign of king josiah who ascended his throne in 639 bc. The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning. This day is one of judgment against those who sin against god, and one of blessing for those who follow him. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Roberts, nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah otl, 16768.
The book of habakkuk reveals a spirit that sharply contrasts nahums. The prophets activity, however, probably occurred during the early. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. Zephaniah s prophecy came during the reign of josiah. Old testament survey unit 9 quiz 3 flashcards quizlet.
This subject is whats inside the little scroll in the fathers right hand rev. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. Zephaniahs prophecy came during the reign of josiah. Introduction to zephaniah historical context setting though an occasional voice of protest has been heard,648 few scholars have failed to accept the information in the superscription that the books author prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. 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. The new testament on one occasion identifies the day of the lord with the gift of the spirit on the day of pentecost acts 2. Utterly destroyed them, as the philistines, moabites, ethiopians, and assyrians, as in the preceding chapters. Book of zephaniah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. His prophecy is probably to be dated relatively early in josiahs reign, before that kings attempt at reform and while conditions brought about by the reigns of. Under the two preceding kings, amon and manasse, idolatry had been. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. This is book number 8 in the summary of the 12 minor prophets of the bible. Synonyms, crossword answers and other related words for old testament book.
According to the superscription, hosea began his prophetic activity during the reign of jeroboam ii c. The book of 2kings, chapter 22, gives the historical background of this period. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. We hope that you find the zephaniah summary from the kjv bible chapters and verses helpful to your bible studies and for references as a guide to further reference to the book of zephaniah. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. It will remove evil and open up a new future where all people can flourish in peace. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Zephaniah warns israel and the surrounding nations that the day of the lord is near. The work of a prophet descended from king hezekiah, at the time of josiah, occupying ninth place in any listing of the twelve minor prophets, following habakkuk and preceding. Living area in the martian, with the old testament book before zephaniah. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. But zephaniah grew into a man of god, able to stand before the people and. First, zephaniah s general message is similar to that of most of the other writing prophets. In the book of zephaniah, gods justice and love offer.
Zephaniah, nahum, and habakkuk book summaries, test. British narrator simon peterson reads the book of zephaniah in this wonderful audi. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. Three other old testament individuals share his name. Biblical book before jeremiah is a 26 letter phrase starting with b and ending with h. Zephaniah lived during the last days of the kingdom of judah. The book of zephaniah home place in the canon historical background structure and contents date and authorship the man and his message the hebrew text and the septuagint i. What does it mean to worship the starry host or the host of the heavens zephaniah 1.
Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook free. When did moab and ammon eventually worship the lord zephaniah 2. This little book written by zephaniah the prophet is talking about the day of the lord. Social injustice and moral corruption were widespread 3. 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.
There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of zephaniah, and the following are five of the best. As with most prophets, zephaniah s message focuses on current events for the people of israel, but also has a secondary meaning, anticipating the life of jesus zephaniah focuses the attention of his critical remarks on the political and religious leaders of the nation. 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. His small book is a part of the section of the bible known as the minor prophets. The old testament, in conjunction with the new testament, is a source of inspiration, instruction and sound teachings about how god wants us to live. The book of zephaniah, the early discourses of jeremiah, and 2 ki 21 through 23 furnish a vivid picture of the social, moral, and religious conditions in judah at the time zephaniah prophesied. And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops. Biblical book before jeremiah crossword answers, clues. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of. The book of zephaniah introduction to the book of zephaniah in the bible.
We hope that the following list of synonyms for the word isaiah will help you to finish your crossword today. The book of zephaniah consists of a single collection of oracles, mostly short. According to the book itself, zephaniah is descended from king 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. Others have assumed that because the fourth person mentioned is hezekiah, which is a rare name in the ot, that this refers to king hezekiah, therefore, asserting the royal ancestry of zephaniah. Zephaniah, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. Zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. 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 student can buy parts or the whole of this series. Genesis creation, the fall, the flood, the spread of the nations, abraham, isaac, jacob, and joseph. All that is known of zephaniah comes from the text the name cushi, zephaniah s father, means cushite or ethiopian, and the text of zephaniah mentions the sin and restoration of. 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. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. Zephaniah s ministry occurred during the reign of josiah, king of judah.