Zephaniah 1
About ZephaniahWritten by AI
Zephaniah prophesied in Judah during the reign of King Josiah, around 640 to 610 BC, and the first verse traces his family back four generations to a Hezekiah, possibly the king. His preaching may have helped prepare the way for Josiah's reforms, when idols were torn down and the Book of the Law was rediscovered.
The book's great theme is the Day of the LORD, a day of judgment that reaches Judah, its neighbors, and the whole earth. The opening chapter is among the starkest in the prophets. But Zephaniah calls the humble to seek the LORD, and the book turns toward a purified people from many nations who call on His name.
Watch for the ending. After all the warnings, God is pictured singing over His people: “He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Before you read Zephaniah 1Written by AI
Zephaniah opens with God sweeping away everything from the face of the earth, then narrows in on Judah. He names those who bow to Baal and the stars, those who swear by Milcom, and those who say in their hearts that the LORD will do nothing. The Day of the LORD is near, a day of distress and darkness.
Zephaniah Prophesies Judgment on Judah
This is the word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:
“I will completely sweep away
everything from the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD.
“I will sweep away man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
and the idols with their wicked worshipers.
I will cut off mankind
from the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD.
“I will stretch out My hand against Judah
and against all who dwell in Jerusalem.
I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal,
the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests—
those who bow on the rooftops
to worship the host of heaven,
those who bow down and swear by the LORD
but also swear by Milcom,
and those who turn back
from following the LORD,
neither seeking the LORD
nor inquiring of Him.”
The Day of the LORD
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD,
for the Day of the LORD is near.
Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
He has consecrated His guests.
“On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice
I will punish the princes,
the sons of the king,
and all who are dressed in foreign apparel.
On that day I will punish
all who leap over the threshold,
who fill the house of their master
with violence and deceit.
On that day,” declares the LORD,
“a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second District,
and a loud crashing from the hills.
Wail, O dwellers of the Hollow,
for all your merchants will be silenced;
all who weigh out silver will be cut off.
And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish the men settled in complacency,
who say to themselves,
‘The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.’
Their wealth will be plundered
and their houses laid waste.
They will build houses but not inhabit them,
and plant vineyards but never drink their wine.
The great Day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
Listen, the Day of the LORD!
Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.
That day will be
a day of wrath,
a day of trouble and distress,
a day of destruction and desolation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness,
a day of horn blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities,
and against the high corner towers.
I will bring such distress on mankind
that they will walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their flesh like dung.
Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to deliver them
on the Day of the LORD’s wrath.
The whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of His jealousy.”
For indeed, He will make a sudden end
of all who dwell on the earth.