The prophet zephaniah speaks much of the destruction that will come about on the day of the lord. Short summary of zephaniah the kjv bible scriptures the content of zephaniah according to the kjv bible scriptures contains a short overview of the main subjects, people, events and ancient topics in the following summary of the kjv bible scriptures. 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. Old testament theology can be summarized under the central theme of this mediatorial kingdom. Zephaniah spoke of the last days the future around his. I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of zephaniah, and the following are five of the best. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the books of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah new international commentary on the old testament. Zephaniah is, however, the first of our old testament writers whose mind is dominated entirely by eschatological ideas, and it is this, which gives him his importance in the history of israels religion. We can understand these prophecies, as always, by looking to. Zephaniah was a prophet of doom in the true sense of the word. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. From the beginning of history, god worked through appointed mediators in administering the mediatorial kingdom. The name, zephaniah, is found several times in the old testament, but it is generally thought to refer to other persons.
The book of zechariah, attributed to the hebrew prophet zechariah, is included in the twelve minor prophets in the hebrew bible. 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. Nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah tyndale old testament commentaries book 27 david w. 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. Josiah led judah to religious and social reform, but zephaniah declared that these spiritual changes would not last. 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. There is little consensus of opinion on details cf. We learn in the same verse that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of good king josiah of judah 640608 b.
Zephaniah 1 niv bible the word of the lord that came to. This prophetic concept refers to any intervention of god in. And the spirit took me up and carried me into the fifth heaven, and i beheld angels that. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. Zephaniah bible book with full chapters king james version. This important series contains modern works written by noted authors as well as classic volumes of scholarship. Zephaniah s ministry occurred during the reign of josiah, king of judah. A day of darkness at noon the great judgment day of god is almost here. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament.
The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. Zephaniah s ministry, then, was directed to judah just before these major changes came about. Indeed, his main message was regarding the day of the lord. Sophonias, which is borne by three other men mentioned in the old testament, means yah hides, or yah has hidden or treasured.
Summary of the old testament summary of the new testament key points of the old testament key points of the new testament bible timeframe biblenotes pdf answered questions leave a comment. It began as a historical matter during the time of moses. Jonah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah the niv application commentary book james bruckner. I have cut off the nations i have executed vengeance upon that great city nineveh, zephaniah 2. What can ordinary people do about sinful religious leaders zephaniah 3.
Is not this a passage from an epistle of plato like what is said by sophonias the prop. The books of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah new international commentary on the old testament robertson, o. In this book, zephaniah announces gods purifying judgment on israel. The old and new testament library series offers authoritative commentary on many old and new testament books and provides additional theological works that closely examine major aspects of both testaments. Zephaniah points to a day when all the nations will turn to the lord 3. 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. Zephaniah s prophetic revelations and stern warnings occurred during josiahs reign zephaniah 1. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major. Today, thousands of years later, we hear in these thirtynine books his inspired and authoritative message for us.
Zephaniah 3 commentary bensons commentary on the old and. Edward miller, journal for the study of the new testament 26 2003 21736 in 1995, new testament studies published a provocative piece by philip payne entitled, fuldensis, sigla for variants in vaticanus, and 1 cor. Smith, the prophets birth in the killing time of manasseh 2 kings 21. These disciplines of life are not always pleasant for the children or the parents.
But, the truly important aspect of this is the parents motive behind the punishment. The holman old testament commentary has two volumes on the minor prophets that came to be so called because of their size but not their importance. Zephaniah and the judgment of god professor of old testament. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Zephaniah overview bensons commentary on the old and new. He warns of the terrible fate that awaits those who reject the lord 1. The word of the lord which came unto zephaniah the son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hizkiah, in the days of josiah the son of amon, king of judah. The books of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah new international commentary on the old testament kindle edition by robertson, o. Bitter and noisy cries on my judgment day, even strong men screaming for help.
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. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible. The word zephaniah means yahweh has hidden, or yahweh has treasured. Zephaniah, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary.
Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. Bible survey zephaniah hebrew name tsephaniyah yahweh hides greek name sophonias greek form of the hebrew author zephaniah according to tradition date 630 bc approximately theme the day of the lord is approaching types and shadows in zephaniah the day of jesus is coming. Zephaniah s message of judgment and encouragement contains three major doctrines. Their pronouncements on the greed, materialism, and spiritual and moral decay.
Wo to her that is filthy bishop newcome reads, rebellious, and the vulgate, provoking, and polluted that is, defiled with various crimes. Old testament hebrewenglish holy name king james version with strongs numbers. Zephaniah zephaniah is the only prophet introduced with a lineal genealogy of such depth. Zephaniah 1 niv the word of the lord that came to bible gateway. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Zephaniahs ministry occurred during the reign of josiah, king of judah. There is a wealth of spiritual lessons and teachings in all of the old testament books, including the book of zephaniah. His ancestry is traced back four generations to a person named hezekiah zeph. I have been professor of old testament at northern baptist seminary since 1988. Smith, the prophets birth in the killing time of manasseh. Introduction 286 the book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah otl the old testament library j. Commentary on the book of zephaniah by matthew henry old.
God will develop a proper relationship with his people zephaniah 3. The book is concerned throughout with the day of the lord. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. These prophets were not only astute observers of their time and authors of literary distinction, they were also spiritually sensitive men who held a high concern for gods person and reputation. Zephaniah was the grandson of hezekiah, but we cannot be sure that this hezekiah was the same hezekiah who ruled jerusalem during the time of isaiah. It will remove evil and open up a new future where all people can. Zephaniah lived during one of the worst times in the history of judah, under the evil reign of king manasseh. Book of zephaniah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. This book mentions the day of the lord more than does any other book in the old testament, clarifying the picture of judahs fall.
Not much is known about the prophet zephaniah except that which is mentioned in his book. Zephaniah and the judgment of god professor of old. Message of zephaniah this book mentions the day of the lord more than does any other book in the old testament, clarifying the picture of judahs fall to abylon and the eventual judgment and restoration of all humanity in the future. In this case, it refers primarily to gods impending time of judgment on the nation of judah. I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. Nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah emphasize punishment while haggai, zechariah, and malachi focus on restoration. A world judgment seek the lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld his justice. Zephaniah overview bensons commentary on the old and. Zephaniah 1 background information with maps and images. It could either mean to hide or to watch, and has been variously rendered, yahweh has hidden, or watchman for.
We learn from the first verse of zephaniahs book that he was the greatgreat grandson of good king hezekiah of judah. 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. He prophesies that a righteous remnant will be left in the land of israel and will joyfully share in the lords victory. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the lords anger. Is not this a passage from an epistle of plato like what is said by sophonias the prophet. When did moab and ammon eventually worship the lord zephaniah 2. According to epiphanius, zephaniah was of the tribe of simeon. Zephaniah is book number 36 in the old testament of the bible. Despite the fact that each of the 12 books of the minor prophets were written at different times and places, sometime in the development of the hebrew canon, these twelve books. Commentaries in this series provide fresh translations based on the best. What does it mean to worship the starry host or the host of the heavens zephaniah 1. Zephaniah these are all of the chapters of the book of zephaniah. The judgment of the lord will descend on judah and jerusalem as a punishment.
When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. Although this hezekiah is not specifically designated as the famous king by that name, there can be little question that this is the reason for the length of the genealogy. These twin convictions, shared by all of the contributors to the new international commentary on the old testament, define the goal of this. I graduated from california baptist college, golden gate baptist seminary, the southern baptist seminary, and have done additional graduate work at the graduate theological union. There came a time when it was necessary to be punished. 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. On the day of the lords sacrifice i will punish the princes and the kings sons and all those clad in foreign clothes. We have no additional information about zephaniah, nor are scholars certain about the meaning of his name.
This volume contains commentary on the last six of the minor prophets. Zephaniah 3 commentary bensons commentary on the old. Nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah otl the old testament. Zephaniah is the thirtysixth book in the christian old testament, falling between habakkuk and haggai. Zephaniah was one of the minor prophets of the old testament. Zephaniah spoke of the last days the future around his time or even possibly yet to come now. The books of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah new international commentary on the old testament, 1990. Some old testament scholars have argued that there is an overall structure to minor prophets. What does it mean that god will rejoice over us with singing zephaniah 3. Aug 23, 2010 i have been professor of old testament at northern baptist seminary since 1988. Palmer robertson the books of nahum, habakkuk, and zephaniah new international commentary on the old testament, 1990.
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