Zephaniah
A sweeping warning of "the day of the Lord" against Judah and the nations — ending in a song of joy.
Overview
Zephaniah prophesied in Judah in the days of Josiah, before that king's great reforms. His theme is "the day of the Lord" — a sweeping day of judgment on Judah for its idolatry and on the surrounding nations. But it does not end in gloom: the last chapter turns to a song of joy, as God gathers a humble remnant and sings over them.
Book facts
- Author
- ZephaniahNamed in the first verse, with a family line traced back to Hezekiah.
- Date written
- c. 630 BCIn the days of King Josiah, likely before his reforms.
- Original language
- HebrewHebrew poetry dominated by "the day of the Lord."
- Setting
- Judah, under King JosiahA call to seek God before judgment falls.
How it came to be
Zephaniah is named in the opening verse, with a family line traced back to Hezekiah. He prophesied in the days of King Josiah, likely before Josiah's reforms.
Its dominant note is "the day of the Lord," shared with several other prophets.
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What happens | Who is in it | Where it takes place |
|---|---|---|---|
The day of the Lord — judgment on Judah and the nations, then joy, chapters 1–3 | |||
| Chapter 1The day of wrath | The great day of the Lord is near — a day of wrath against Judah's idolatry. | — | |
| Chapter 2The nations judged | A call to seek the Lord, and judgment on the surrounding nations. | — | , , |
| Chapter 3The songs of Zion | Woe to rebellious Jerusalem; yet God will leave a humble remnant and rejoice over them with singing. | — | |
All 3 chapters. Start reading →
Worth knowing
Zephaniah prophesied in the reign of this king.
Tap a place to see where it is.
Some of the book's best-known lines — tap the verse to read it.
- "The great day of the Lord is near"Zephaniah 1:14
- "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek"Zephaniah 2:3
- "He will rejoice over thee with singing"Zephaniah 3:17