UNROLL
Before dawn in a stepped stone lane of Jerusalem: flat-roofed houses close on both sides, one small clay oil lamp burning in a doorway niche, the lane climbing toward the dark temple height.

The Book of

Zephaniah Intro

The great day is near: a warning to seek the LORD, and a song God sings over His people.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min3 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

In young Josiah’s Judah, idols stand on the roofs.

Zephaniah warns: the Day of the LORD is near.

Judah first, then every nation around.

Seek the LORD while there is time.

And then God sings over His people.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

Zephaniah

A prophet in Josiah’s day, likely of royal descent

  • His family line goes back four generations to Hezekiah.Zephaniah 1:1
  • He spoke in the days of Josiah, about 640–609 BC.Zephaniah 1:1
  • Most likely before Josiah’s reform of 622 BC, while idols still stood.Most scholars
  • Jeremiah began to prophesy in the same reign.Jeremiah 1:2

His day

Manasseh had filled Judah with idols.

Josiah became king at eight.

In 622 BC the Book of the Law was found.

Assyria was weakening; Nineveh fell in 612 BC.

How it’s built

From the great day to a song

The Day is near1: Judah and all theearthSeek the LORD2:1–3: perhaps to beshelteredEvery nation2:4–15: west, east,south, northJerusalem too3:1–8: no correctionPure lips3:9–13: a humbleremnantHe sings overyou3:14–20: home at last

Whiteboard

Judgment reaches everyone, and so does the mercy.

How to read it

The Day of the LORD came on Jerusalem in 586 BC.

It still lies ahead, on the last day.

Both are warnings, and both end in a song.

Big themes

Three things to carry

Watch for

that all may call upon the name of the LORD and serve Him shoulder to shoulder

Zephaniah 3:9

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Question

Quick question

The book’s first verse names a king and a family line.

Which good king reigned while Zephaniah spoke?

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