The prophet Zephaniah Zephaniah

1 prophet zephaniah

1.1 date of activity
1.2 book of zephaniah
1.3 in christianity

the prophet zephaniah

an 18th-century russian icon of prophet zephaniah in kizhi, karelia

the well-known biblical figure bearing name zephaniah son of cushi, , great-great grandson of king hezekiah, ninth in literary order of twelve minor prophets. prophesied in days of josiah, ruler of kingdom of judah (b.c. 641-610), , contemporary jeremiah, whom had in common. primary source obtain our scanty knowledge of personality , rhetorical , literary qualities of individual short book of old testament bears name. scene of activity city of jerusalem. (zeph 1:4-10; 3:1, 14)

date of activity

under 2 preceding kings of judah, amon of judah , manasseh of judah, cult of other deities (especially baal , astarte) had developed in holy city, bringing elements of alien culture , morals. josiah, dedicated reformer, wished put end perceived misuse of holy places. 1 of zealous champions , advisers of reform zephaniah, , writing remains 1 of important documents understanding of era of josiah.

the prophet spoke boldly against religious , moral corruption, when, in view of idolatry had penetrated sanctuary, warned god destroy out of place remnant of baal, , names of ... priests (zeph 1:4), , pleaded return simplicity of fathers instead of luxurious foreign clothing worn in aristocratic circles (1:8).

the age of zephaniah key historical period, because lands of western asia overrun foreigners due migration of scythians in last decades of seventh century, , because jerusalem few decades before downfall in 586. in light of these events, message of impending judgment primary burden of figure s preaching (1:7).

the book of zephaniah

zephaniah addressing people (france, 16th century).

the book of zephaniah contains fundamental ideas of preaching of zephaniah. scheme of book in present form follows:

a) 1:2-2:3. warnings day of lord , dies irae, dies illa of old testament. judgment of lord descend on judah , jerusalem punishment awful degeneracy in religious life (1:4-7a); extend classes of people (1:7b-13), , attended horrors of frightful catastrophe (1:14-18); therefore, repent , seek lord (2:1-3).

b) 2:4-15. not jerusalem, entire world subject judgment, including philistines, (4-7) moabites, ammonites, (8-11) ethiopians, (12) assyrians , ninevites (13-15).

c) 3:1-8. prophet focuses once again on jerusalem: woe provoking, , redeemed city ... hath not hearkened voice, neither hath received discipline. severest reckoning required of leading classes of civil community, , of prophets , priests directors of public worship.

d) 3:9-20. prophetic glance @ kingdom of god of future, in world unites , turns god, prosperity of messianic kingdom enjoyed.

e) 3:9-20. last message of zephaniah has messianic coloring, although not extent comparable may found in book of isaiah.

in christianity

he commemorated other minor prophets in calendar of saints of armenian apostolic church on july 31. on eastern orthodox liturgical calendar , in roman martyrology, commemorated on december 3.

his book inspiration hymn, dies irae.