Book of Zephaniah: Difference between revisions

{{About |the Book of Zephaniah|the Hebrew prophet|Zephaniah}}

{{Tanakh OT|Nevi'im|prophetic}}

 

== Authorship and date ==

 

 

As with many of the other prophets,{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|pp=781–784, 918, 1043}} there is no external evidence to directly associate composition of the book with a prophet by the name of Zephaniah.{{sfn|Grudem et al.|2008|p=1729}} Some scholars, such as Kent Harold Richards and Jason DeRouchie, consider the words in Zephaniah to reflect a time early in the reign of [[Josiah|King Josiah]] (640–609 BC) before his reforms of 622 BC took full effect,{{sfn|Attridge|Meeks|2006|p=1259}}{{sfn|Carson et al.|2015|p=1839}} in which case the prophet may have been born during the reign of [[Manasseh of Judah|Manasseh]]{{sfn|Attridge|Meeks|2006|p=1259}} (698/687–642 BC).{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|p=2111}} Others agree that some portion of the book is postmonarchic,{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|p=1234}} that is, dating to later than 586 BC when the [[Kingdom of Judah]] fell in the [[Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC)|Siege of Jerusalem]].{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|p=2111}} Some who consider the book to have largely been written by a historical Zephaniah have suggested that he may have been a disciple of [[Isaiah]] because of the two books' similar focus on rampant corruption and injustice in Judah.{{sfn|Attridge|Meeks|2006|p=1259}}

 

== Themes ==

 

''The HarperCollins Study Bible'' supplies headings for the book as follows:{{sfn|Attridge|Meeks|2006|pp=1260-64}}

{| class="wikitable"

|+ Verse and chapter headings in the HCSB

|}

 

More consistently than any other prophetic book, Zephaniah focuses on "the day of the Lord,"{{sfn|Grudem et al.|2008|p=1729}} developing this tradition from its first appearance in [[Book of Amos|Amos]].{{sfn|Attridge|Meeks|2006|pp=1259-60}}{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|p=1186}}<ref>{{Bibleverse|Amos|5:18–20|NRSV}}</ref> The day of the Lord tradition also appears in [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]], [[Book of Ezekiel|Ezekiel]], [[Book of Obadiah|Obadiah]], [[Book of Joel|Joel]], and [[Book of Malachi|Malachi]].{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|p=1169}}<ref>{{Bibleverse|Isaiah|13:6|NRSV}}, {{Bibleverse|Ezekiel|30:2–3|NRSV}}, {{Bibleverse|Obadiah|15|NRSV}}, {{Bibleverse|Joel|1:15|NRSV}}, {{Bibleverse|Malachi|4:5|NRSV}}</ref>

 

 

As is common in prophetic literature in the Bible, a "remnant" survives Yahweh's judgement in Zephaniah{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|p=1241}} by humbly seeking refuge in Yahweh.{{sfn|Grudem et al.|2008|p=1738}}<ref>{{Bibleverse|Zeph|3:12–13|NRSV}}</ref> The book concludes in an announcement of hope and joy,{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|p=1242}}<ref>{{Bibleverse|Zeph|3:14–20|NRSV}}</ref> as Yahweh "bursts forth in joyful divine celebration"{{sfn|Grudem et al.|2008|p=1739}} over his people.<ref>{{Bibleverse|Zeph|3:17|NRSV}}</ref>

 

Zephaniah served as a major inspiration for the [[medieval]] [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[hymn]] "[[Dies Irae]]," whose title and opening words are from the [[Vulgate]] translation of {{Bibleverse|Zephaniah|1:15–16|NRSV}}.{{sfn|Attridge|Meeks|2006|pp=1259–60}}

 

== Notes ==

{{reflist|20em}}

 

 

== Further reading ==

[[Category:Book of Zephaniah| ]]

[[Category:7th-century BC books]]