Prophet
Zephaniah
Prophet of the Day of the Lord
c. 640-609 BCE
Biography
Zephaniah son of Cushi is remarkable for the genealogy given in 1:1 — four generations back, to Hezekiah (the king). He likely prophesied in Jerusalem during Josiah's reign, addressing a Judah still deeply infected with the syncretism of the previous regimes of Manasseh and Amon. The book divides into three sections. Chapters 1-2: oracle of universal judgment, the great Day of the LORD coming against Judah and the surrounding nations. Chapter 3: judgment against Jerusalem itself, followed by a remarkable turn to restoration — the "daughter of Zion" will sing for joy: "The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst" (Zeph 3:15). The closing vision of God rejoicing over his people with singing (3:17) is one of the most tender images in Scripture.
The great day of the LORD is near
More Key Verses
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness... he will exult over you with loud singing”
Zephaniah in Scripture
10 verses use this name, in 5 books. Open a book to read its mentions here. Text: Berean Standard Bible. Names repeat in Scripture — some of these verses may speak of another person called Zephaniah.
Old Testament5 books · 10 mentions
2 Kings1 mention
1 Chronicles1 mention
Jeremiah5 mentions
- Jeremiah 21:1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said,
- Jeremiah 29:25this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “In your own name you have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests. You said to Zephaniah:
- Jeremiah 29:29(Zephaniah the priest, however, had read this letter to Jeremiah the prophet.)
- Jeremiah 37:3Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!”
- Jeremiah 52:24The captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers.
Zephaniah1 mention
Zechariah2 mentions
- Zechariah 6:10“Take an offering from the exiles—from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon—and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah.
- Zechariah 6:14The crown will reside in the temple of the LORD as a memorial to Helem, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and the gracious son of Zephaniah.
Spiritual Significance
Zephaniah concentrates the Day of the Lord theology. His restoration vision — God singing over his people — is one of the most tender OT images.
How Zephaniah Points to Jesus
The Day of the Lord theme and the "King of Israel in your midst" foreshadow Christ's coming.
Character Profile
- Strengths
- Compact Day-of-the-Lord theology; tender restoration vision.
- Weaknesses
- None recorded.
- Lessons
- God's judgment is universal; his restoration is rich; divine joy over redeemed people is not suppressed.
Related Characters
Keep this page