Zephaniah
maleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “The LORD has hidden”
A prophet of royal descent in Josiah’s reign who warned of the coming "day of the LORD" yet promised that God would rejoice over a restored remnant with singing.
Biography
Zephaniah, a great-great-grandson of King Hezekiah, prophesied during the reign of the reforming king Josiah, likely helping prepare the way for that revival. His book is dominated by the theme of "the day of the LORD" — a sweeping day of judgment.
The great day of the LORD
Zephaniah warned that God would judge Judah's idolatry and the surrounding nations: "The great day of the LORD is near... a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress" (Zephaniah 1:14–15). He called the nation to seek the LORD in humility before that day came (Zephaniah 2:3).
Songs of restoration
Yet the book closes with some of the tenderest promises in the prophets. God would gather a humble remnant and rejoice over them: "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
Life Timeline
Warns of the coming great day of the LORD
Promises God will rejoice over the restored remnant
On the Bible timeline
Zephaniah belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Themes & lessons from Zephaniah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Zephaniah appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
1 verses in 1 bookZephaniah1 verse
Zephaniah 1:1
The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
Frequently asked about Zephaniah
Who was Zephaniah in the Bible?
A prophet of royal descent in Josiah’s reign who warned of the coming "day of the LORD" yet promised that God would rejoice over a restored remnant with singing.
What does the name Zephaniah mean?
The name Zephaniah means “The LORD has hidden”.
What did Zephaniah do in the Bible?
Zephaniah served as prophet.
Where does Zephaniah appear in the Bible?
Zephaniah is mentioned 1 time across 1 book: Zephaniah.
What can we learn from Zephaniah?
The story of Zephaniah touches on themes of amariah, zephaniah — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Zephaniah's life.
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