Zephaniah

Authorship

Zephaniah’s name may mean “Yahweh has hidden him” or “watchman for the Lord.” He might be the great-great grandson of King Hezekiah (Zeph. 1:1).

Date

This book is dated to the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC). He probably worked with the young Josiah during his ministry.

Main message

Zephaniah wrote specifically to Judah and Jerusalem before its destruction (1:4), urging them to repent. He claimed that Judah has become God’s enemy! He urges them to repent, and also predicts a time of hope for the faithful remnant (3:9-20).

Zephaniah focuses on the “day of the Lord,” mentioning it more than another other prophet. This is considered a day of judgment. The first half of the book describes God’s judgment (Zeph. 1:1-3:8), and the second half of the book describes God’s rescue (Zeph. 3:9-20).