The Strand Study Bible

ZEPHANIAH

Author : Zephaniah Theme : The Fall of Judah and Jerusalem (plus a closer look at the future DAY OF THE LORD ) Book’s Main Characters : The Nation of Judah

About the Author : Zephaniah, whose name means “ Jehovah hides,” was a Judean prophet who prophesied against Jerusalem approximately 628 BC. He began his writing ministry approximately twelve years after his cousin (King Josiah) had taken office (640 BC). Zephaniah was a contemporary of Nahum and Jeremiah, in Jerusalem. He was the great, great grandson of King Hezekiah. About the Book : Zephaniah, like Habakkuk, prophesied of the impending invasion upon Judah and Jerusalem, by the Babylonians. He compared this invasion to the future coming judgment called the DAY OF THE LORD (1:7-8). Zephaniah also prophesied of a future restoration of Israel (3:9-20). Helpful Background : After the fall of Israel to Assyria, in 721 BC (II Ki 17:5-6 & 18:10-11), the southern two tribes (named Judah) were all that remained in the land. Within 80 short years of Israel’s fall, Judah had become dangerously backslidden. Like Israel, Judah was ready to be judged. God, in his mercy, then raised up three prophets: Nahum , Zephaniah , and Jeremiah . By 621 BC, after only seven years of preaching, by these three men, revival broke out and the nation of Judah had begun to turn around spiritually. However, by the time King Josiah died (in 609 BC) the spiritual movement had ended, and God had to destroy Judah and Jerusalem via Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylon) from 605-586 BC. Notes of Interest : 1. Zephaniah is not quoted in the NT 2. Prophecies are referred to 55 times in Zephaniah . 3. Prophecies concerning CHRIST are referred to 16 of those 55 times. 4. There is 1 inset map used in the book of Zephaniah . It is numbered chronologically (#245). Outline of Zephaniah :

1. The promise of Judah and Jerusalem’s fall (Zeph 1) 2. The promise of surrounding Nations to fall (Zeph 2) 3. The future restoration of all Israel (Zeph 3) Zephaniah 1 God’s two-fold prophesy:

Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the 5 Chemarims with the priests; P 5 3 And them that worship the host of heaven 6 upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by 7 Malcham; P 6 3 And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him. P The promise of an Armageddon when CHRIST returns (Fulfilled - Rev 14:14-20 & 19:11-21) 7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: 3 for the 8 DAY OF THE LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a 9 SACRIFICE , he hath bid his guests. P PP

1. or, “Hezekiah” - II Ki 18-20 2. II Ki 22:1 - 23:30 3. Fulfilled - II Ki 25 (Fall of Judah) 4. or, “lustful desires that cause a person to sin” 5. or, “priests of Baal” 6. II Ki 23:12 & Jere 19:13 7. or, “Molech, the Ammonite deity” - I Ki 11:7 8. Fulfilled - Rev 19:11-21 (Christ’s Second Coming) 9. or, “supper” - Fulfilled - Rev 14:14-20 & 19:17-21 (Armageddon) (See - Isa 34:6 & Jere 50:27 & 51:40) 10. Jere 39:6

#1. The promise of Judah and Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon (Fulfilled - II Ki 25 - 586 BC) #2. The promise of Wrath when CHRIST returns (Fulfilled - Rev 19:11-21) (Note - Zephaniah’s prophecy took place around 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 1 Hizkiah, 2 in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. 2 3 I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD. P 3 3 I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the 4 stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD. P 4 3 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of the 12th year of King Josiah’s reign) Date Written - c. 628 BC/AM 3372

8 And 3 it shall come to pass in the 8 DAY OF THE LORD’S 9 SACRIFICE , that I will punish the 10 princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. P PP 1:1 The phrase ( unto Zephaniah ) means that Zephaniah is speaking for the LORD here. This is why the “words” of the LORD OF HOSTS are not in blue within the book of Zephaniah. 1:5 Astrology ( them that worship the host of heaven ) was as common amongst God’s people back in Zephaniah’s day as it is today. It was wrong then; it’s still wrong today. No one can serve two masters (the LORD and Malcham -Mt 6:24). 1:7 Officially, the DAY OF THE LORD is an extended period of time that begins with the onset of the Great Tribulation and ends 3½ years later with the personal return of CHRIST ( I Thes 5:2 and Rev 3:3 b & 6:5,6-8 a ). 1420