The small book of zephaniah is narrative history and prophetic oracle. Zephaniah, ninth in order of the minor prophets, prophesied in the days of josiah zephaniah 1. The theme of zephaniah is the approaching day of the lord. Introduction to zephaniah by matthew henry blue letter bible. Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of josiah 640609 b. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs great. It is a small book, nestled in the midst of the minor prophets, toward the end of the old testament. In hebrew the book is titled hynpx meaning yahweh hides perhaps reflecting the terror of the days of manasseh when zephaniah. Matthew henry commentary on zephaniah 1 oliver buswell jr library. Study the bible online using commentary on zephaniah introduction and more. Matthew henry verse by verse commentary for zephaniah matthew henry bible commentary. Baker considers each book s historical setting, composition, structure, and authorship, as well as important themes and issues. Jfb is one of the more literal, conservative older commentaries prior to 1900.
With the discovery of the book of deuteronomy in 621, josiah moved quickly to enforce its provisions, removing many of the high places and restoring peoples worship to god alone. 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. Fausset introduction see introduction to the prophetical books zephaniah, ninth in order of the minor prophets, prophesied in the days of josiah zep 1. 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. One day the lords faithful ones will experience an everlasting world of righteousness, peace, prosperity, and joy. Top 5 commentaries on the book of zephaniah ligonier ministries. Zephaniah means yahweh has hiddenprotected, or yahweh hides. Zephaniah introduction old testament matthew henry. Baker considers each books historical setting, composition, structure, and authorship, as well as important themes and issues. Introduction to zephaniah this book in some hebrew copies is called sepher zephaniah, the book of zephaniah. Read and study zephaniah, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. Zephaniah was a fourthgeneration descendant of hezekiah, a notable king of judah from 715 to 686 b. Best commentaries and books on zephaniah logos bible software. 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.
Baker considers each book s historical setting, composition, structure and authorship as well as important themes and issues. Zephaniah from aaron rittmasters hebrew prophets web. This prophet is placed last, as he was last in time, of all the minor prophets before the captivity, and not long before jeremiah, who lived at the time of the captivity. Baker considers each books historical setting, composition, structure and authorship nahums prophecy of ninevahs coming destruction. Zephaniah overview ellicotts commentary for english readers.
Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical. The book of zephaniah center point bible institute. Study zephaniah 2 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Zephaniah warned of an impending judgment while providing hope for the faithful. Its title, in the vulgate latin version, is, the prophecy of zephaniah. There are many people who would like to rule this subject of judgment out of the. Commentary on the book of zephaniah pdf zephaniah 3 commentary bruce hurt, m. Albert barnes commentary on zephaniah be a berean not always literal. Commentary on zephaniah well done commentary recommended.
Zephaniah, ninth in order of the minor prophets, prophesied in the days of josiah zep 1. While zephaniah and joel obviously had local aspects in view of this coming day of yahweh. Obrien, nahum, habakkuk, zephaniah, haggai, zechariah. For those seeking an introductory level commentary on zephaniah, the best one available is the volume in the tyndale series by david w. Zephaniah 2 bible commentary matthew henry concise. The book of zephaniah shows extremely many similarities. David guzik commentary on zephaniah 1 describes gods promise and intensity of. Jamieson, fausset, brown commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible zephaniah 1871 note. Book of zephaniah overview insight for living ministries. A charge against them for their gross sin, which provoked god to bring that destruction upon them zeph. The name of zephaniah means treasured protected, hidden of jehovah. Introduction to the book of zephaniah, new american bible. Study zephaniah 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning.
Zephaniah 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. The world wide study bible on the book of zephaniah. 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. The book of zephaniah is probably best known for being the least known book of the entire bible. Bible study guide book of zephaniah saturday, november 3, 2012 background on zephaniah in zephaniah 1. For comparison, the ab volume on obadiah by paul raabe is over 300 pages.
The name means jehovah hath guarded, literally, hidden psa 27. This day is one of judgment against those who sin against god, and one of blessing for those who follow him. The coming day of the lord will bring judgment on the wicked, both jews and. Book of zephaniah, the ninth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the.
Constables notes on zephaniah 2020 edition unity criticism of the unity of zephaniah has not had great influence. Living under the tumultuous reign of king josiah of judah 640609 bce, zephaniah predicted the final day of judgment when god would come to the fate of israel and other nations. The prophecy opens with a statement of the authors ancestry, which in itself is an unusual feature of the hebrew prophetic tradition. The structure of the book of zephaniah includes three major sections 1. She has not trusted in the lord, she has not drawn. Zephaniah introduction commentary commentary critical and. The day of the lord is coming, says the book of zephaniah, because gods patience has a limit when it comes to sin. Social injustice and moral corruption were widespread zeph 3. Almost half of that is devoted to the introduction. The day of the lord is a major theme in zephaniah occurring 23 times in this short book as well as in obadiah, joel, and ezekiel. The name of the book it is named after the prophet. The book of zephaniah is composed as a charged dialogue between god and the prophet. A contrast between a wicked city and a righteous god.
Read zephaniah introduction commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. It was zephaniah s lot to speak on the most unpleasant subject in the bible the judgment of god. It is also possible that the work of zephaniah contributed to his desire to turn the nation back towards the lord. Zephaniah traces his pedigree back through four generations to hezekiah authorised version hizkiah. Zephaniah overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by charles ellicott has been an oft consulted resource by many a preacher. In the book of zephaniah, the third and final chapter is about the the ageold cycle of the human condition. Access the niv cultural backgrounds study bible notes when you upgrade to bible gateway plus. He is a god of love, but he is also a god of judgment. As their conversation unfolds, we learn of the doomed destiny which. The books of nahum, habbakuk and zephaniah with introduction. Zephaniah introduction verse by verse bible commentary. Introduction and outline by david malick at the biblical studies foundation. The northern ten tribes had already been carried into assyria nearly a century before, c.
The silence of the historical books is no argument against this, as it would. 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. Zephaniah 1 commentary john gills exposition on the whole. The name means jehovah hath guarded, literally, hidden psalms 27. He foretels the general destruction of judah and jerusalem by the chaldeans, and sets their sins in order before them, which had provoked god to bring their ruin upon them, calls them to repentance, threatens the neighbouring. The specification in the introductory heading, of not only his father, but also. It describes a time when yahweh will come to his people and necessarily destroy evil as a means to delivering them. The texts of these minor but important prophets receive a fresh and penetrating analysis in this introduction and commentary. Zephaniahs prophecy of judgment on judah and jerusalem emphasizes, perhaps more than any other prophecy, the devastation. I understand that zephaniah is not a long book, but i feel that in the context of this particular series, some more space could have been utilized.
Sample excerpt of eschatological prophetic, apocalyptic passage zechariah 14. 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. Zephaniah is the only prophet to mention four generations of his ancestors. The little prophecy of zephaniah presents the dark side of the love of god. Best commentaries and books on zephaniah logos bible. Among the prophets, this is a unique introduction with its long list of fathers back to zephaniahs greatgreat grandfather, hezekiah. The prophet foresaw the devastating consequences of gods judgment on corruption and wickedness but also announced the lords gracious plan to restore judah. Baker considers each books historical setting, composition, structure and. The books of nahum, habbakuk and zephaniah with introduction and notes. Zephaniah 3 the lord rejoices over the restoration of his people a. The prophet zephaniah was evidently a person of considerable social standing in judah and was probably related to the royal line. Intro to zephaniah biblica the international bible society. The purpose of this book was to show that god raised up his prophet zephaniah to proclaim a warning of.
A threatening of the destruction of judah and jerusalem, an utter destruction, by the chaldeans, zeph. Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted, to the oppressing city. She has not obeyed his voice, she has not received correction. Edward gibbon in his book the decline and fall of the roman empire. Zephaniah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
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