ZEPHANIAH 1:1 Heading. This verse introduces the literary type, ultimate author, prophetic writer, and time period of the book. LORD is the personal name of Israel’s God, Yahweh or Jehovah. See note on Ex. 3:15. CUSHI is a personal name in Jeremiah 36:14, yet it may also refer to a people group (the... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:2 Judgment Coming against Judah. God first directs his attention against all living beings (vv. Zephaniah 1:2). He then addresses Judah, represented by their capital, Jerusalem (vv. Zephaniah 1:4). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0 [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:3 The listing of MAN AND BEAST... THE BIRDS... AND THE FISH, terms that occur in the creation account (Genesis 1:20, Genesis 1:24, Genesis 1:26), highlights the totality of destruction. God, the Creator of everything, will destroy everything due to the sin of MANKIND, w... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:4 JUDAH alone remained to serve as God’s kingdom of priests (see Exodus 19:5; 1 Peter 2:9) after Israel was exiled to Assyria in 732, 722, 701, and 671 B.C. Yet the presence of a righteous king such as Josiah (Zephaniah 1:1) was not enough to stop God’s judgment against... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:5 HOST OF THE HEAVENS refers to the sun and star gods worshiped by the Assyrians and Canaanites (Deuteronomy 4:19). MILCOM is the god of the Ammonites (1 Kings 11:5). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (va [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:7 The Day of the Lord. The rest of Zephaniah’s prophecy discusses the “day of the Lord.” This “day” brings judgment on the wicked (Zephaniah 1:7) and hope for the faithful (Zephaniah 3:9). It affects not only God’s covenant nation (Zephaniah 1:8; Zephaniah 2:1; Zephania... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:9 LEAPS OVER THE THRESHOLD is a pagan practice that shows respect for a god (see 1 Samuel 5:4). VIOLENCE AND FRAUD are not the results of true worship (compare Genesis 6:11). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH 1:10 The Coming Wrath. A list of punishments is decreed against Jerusalem and its inhabitants (vv. Zephaniah 1:10) and against all humanity (vv. Zephaniah 1:17). Verses 10–11 mention specific neighborhoods in Jerusalem. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:12 THE LORD WILL NOT DO GOOD, NOR... ILL. These men do not deny God’s existence, but they deny that he cares and acts within his creation. Their attitude rejects a key biblical truth: God is constantly active in history. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:13 GOODS... HOUSES... VINEYARDS belong to the rich and powerful. Those who can afford their own dwellings and lands will lose everything. THEY SHALL NOT INHABIT THEM. Because of their sin, God will not allow them to enjoy the rewards of their work. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = d... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:14 God’s day is NEAR AND HASTENING FAST. The people need to respond quickly (v. Zephaniah 1:7). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:15 DAY OF WRATH is described by a list of frightening terms. Many of these occur along with appearances of God on other occasions where God treats his people as if they were his enemy (e.g., Exodus 19:16). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (v... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:17 Instead of walking in God’s guidance, Judah will WALK LIKE THE BLIND. They will stagger because of spiritual blindness. BLOOD... LIKE DUST... LIKE DUNG. Though blood carries life (Leviticus 17:11), it will be treated as useless (compare 1 Kings 14:10; Zechariah 9:3).... [ Continue Reading ]
ZEPHANIAH—NOTE ON ZEPHANIAH 1:18 NEITHER THEIR SILVER NOR THEIR GOLD will buy them out of trouble (see vv. Zephaniah 1:11, Zephaniah 1:13). God’s JEALOUSY means that he cherishes his unique position in the affections of his people. Faithfulness is the foundation of his covenant with them (Exodus 20:... [ Continue Reading ]