First, the good news calvins prayers are excellent, and are very convicting suggestion. Like the writings of many of the prophets, the book of zephaniah follows a pattern of judgment on all people for their sin followed by the restoration of gods chosen people. Jonah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah the niv application. It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. The first verse of this book tells us that the word of yahweh came to zephaniah, the son of cushi, the son of gedaliah, the son of amariah, the son of hezekiah, in the days of josiah, the son of amon, king of judah 1. Summary of the book of zephaniah the story of the bible.
The book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic source of wisdom. Jfb is one of the more literal, conservative older commentaries prior to 1900. Extensive verse by verse explanation, illumination and clarification of this prophetic book seen though the lens of middle east culture and the ancient near east. 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. Apr 28, 2019 the day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. She has not obeyed his voice, she has not received correction. Yet before we get to that verse, the book, like many prophetic books, is full of alarming brokenness and impending judgement. In chapter 1, zephaniah gives us the character of gods vengeance. Jan 31, 2017 the insights tom has gained from memorizing the entire book of zephaniah and the great contributions they offer to bible students. He is a god of love, but he is also a god of judgment.
Zephaniah opens with the rumblings of judgment, and you will not find judgment enunciated in any more harsh manner than it is in this book. We can begin to pinpoint exactly when zephaniah prophesied by accounting for a few details in the text. Zephaniah commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities. Jamieson, fausset, brown commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible zephaniah 1871 note. The voice of judgment is softened by gospel promises. Zephaniah, ninth in order of the minor prophets, prophesied in the days of josiah zep 1. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. 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. The name means jehovah hath guarded, literally, hidden ps 27.
The book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. It is most likely that the book of the prophet zephaniah comes from a time after the rule of king josiah. On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me. He situates the reading of zephaniah in the early sixth century bc rather than the late seventh century bc sweeneys interpretation pays close attention to the often subtle differences. 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. Social injustice and moral corruption were widespread zeph 3. The book tells us that zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah, the king of judah from 640 to 609 bc zephaniah 1. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. Josiah had begun to reign in judah about 80 years after the northern kingdom of israel had been swept away by the assyrian invaders. Zephaniah is the only prophet to mention four generations of his ancestors. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Zephaniahs message of judgment and encouragement contains three major.
The book of zephaniah was alleged written by the prophet zephaniah, whose lineage is. May 08, 2020 the setting for the book of zephaniah. Sweeneys keen reading of this small, prophetic book opens new doors for hebrew bible research. Edward gibbon in his book the decline and fall of the roman empire. The word of the lord which came unto zephaniah though this prophet has given us so large a list of his ancestors, yet little concerning him is known, because we know nothing certain relative to the persons of the family whose names are here introduced. This book contains the prophecies that came to zephaniah during a time of renewed devotion to yahweh. The judgments against judah and jerusalem are turned aside, and the nation or at least a remnant thereof is set free see zephaniah 3.
We have one chronological note which is of more value for the correct understanding of his prophecy than the other. Zephaniah wrote it shortly before the fall of judah in the southern kingdom. Book of zephaniah john gills exposition of the bible. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. The name of zephaniah means treasured protected, hidden of jehovah. Nevertheless, this is a great book with a significant. The little prophecy of zephaniah presents the dark side of the love of god. She has not trusted in the lord, she has not drawn. Historically, the book of zephaniah was used in the providence of god to prepare judah for the reforms and revival under king josiah. An exposition, with practical observations, of the prophecy of zephaniah chapter 1. He traces his genealogy back 4 generations to king hezekiah ca. A charge against them for their gross sin, which provoked god to bring that destruction upon them zeph. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities with other prophetic books of the ot.
According to the superscription of the book zephaniah 1. 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. Zephaniah foresees the joyful return from captivity in due time. A threatening of the destruction of judah and jerusalem, an utter destruction, by the chaldeans. Three other old testament individuals share his name. Zephaniah 3 the lord rejoices over the restoration of his people a. His word came in visions, oracles, dreams, parables, and the like. The book of zephaniah, the early discourses of jeremiah, and 2 kings 2123 furnish a vivid picture of the social, moral, and religious conditions in judah at the time zephaniah prophesied.
Study zephaniah using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. 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. Study the bible online using commentary on zephaniah and more. He likely prophesied sometime between 622 and 612 b. Constables notes on zephaniah 2020 edition unity criticism of the unity of zephaniah has not had great influence. Top 5 commentaries on the book of zephaniah ligonier ministries. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. This is, in my opinion, the best and most beautiful recording of. This is not the only place where this theme occurs, of course, but it is the most concentrated treatment of the judgment of god as the whole book is devoted to this one theme.
Zephaniah commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. Bible book list access the niv cultural backgrounds study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus. The words of zephaniah contain one of my favorite bible verses. The phrases on that day and at that time refer to the same day and time that he has been referring to earlier in a context of judgment. The insights tom has gained from memorizing the entire book of zephaniah and the great contributions they offer to bible students. It was zephaniahs lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. This is the holy book of zephaniah, known simply as zephaniah. Zephaniahs primary target for gods message of judgment, the nation of judah, had fallen into grievous sin under the reign of their king, manasseh. Best commentaries and books on zephaniah logos bible software. The specification in the introductory heading, of not only his father, but. You can find the best commentary on zephaniah for you using the tools on the right side. A threatening of the destruction of judah and jerusalem, an utter destruction, by the chaldeans, zeph.
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. Zephaniah is the ninth of the minor prophets, the last 12 books of the old testament. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading jonah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah the niv application commentary book. The purpose of this book was to show the complacent southern kingdoms that they were wicked, god used a prophet zephaniah. One of the most prominent features that we learn from zephaniah concerning the day of the lord is that god will intervene in human affairs. Zephaniah lived during one of the worst times in the history of judah, under the evil reign of king manasseh. Zephaniah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of zephaniah for bible study or sunday school lessons. Access the niv cultural backgrounds study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus. A contrast between a wicked city and a righteous god. Study the bible online using commentary on zephaniah and. When god had a message for the people, he spoke through the prophets. 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. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Dec 28, 2016 zephaniah has another cycle of denunciation against judah 3.
The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of. And it is about these people that the book of zephaniah is written, and especially of that coming day, the day of the lord, which is vividly described by the prophet. Peculiarities in the commentary on joel b zephaniah and the other prophets. The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. Zephaniah calls the nation to repentance and warns foreign nations to repent as well. Sample excerpt of eschatological prophetic, apocalyptic passage zechariah 14. Jonah, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah the niv application commentary book kindle edition by bruckner, james. Timeline 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. The whole book of zephaniah builds to a crescendo with the proclamation of salvation in the final verses. The book of zephaniah poses a full range of interpretive and hermeneutical issues for the modern reader. The book consists of a series of independent sayings, many of which are rightly attributed to zephaniah, written probably about 640630 bc. The pleasure of god in the good of his people desiring god. David guzik commentary on zephaniah 1 describes gods promise and intensity of.
The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. Read them aloud, very slowly and as a sincere prayer to the almighty god. Read zephaniah commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Among the minor prophets, we are certainly much more familiar with jonah and hosea. Just as amos had prophesied about the imminent coming of the day of the lord upon israel. Zephaniah son of cushi son of gedaliah son of amariah son of hezekiah, in the days of king josiah son of amon of judah. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. Chapter 1 judgment upon judah chapter 2 judgment upon the nations.
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