Zephaniah

Introduction to Zephaniah

Theme

The prophet Zephaniah predicts the coming of the day of the Lord, when God will severely punish the nations, including apostate Judah, but will yet be merciful to his people.

Overview

When justice is distorted, when the line between right and wrong is blurred, when leaders become corrupt, it’s easy to become discouraged. And when religious leaders fail, discouragement can turn to cynicism. The book of Zephaniah reassures readers that we can still trust God—that even in dark times, our faith can still burn brightly. The NIV Quest Study Bible says Zephaniah wrote to the people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment for their sins. He hoped to stir them to repentance before it was too late. But he also assured them that God’s judgment would pave the way for a new society in which justice would prevail and all humankind would worship the Lord. The book is a reinforcement of our confidence that God will make everything right.

Grouping

Prophets—The Twelve (Hebrew); Prophetic (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox)

Author

Zephaniah

Timeline

Between 640–627 BC.

Genre

Prophecy

Original Language

Hebrew

Audience

The people of Judah.