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Zephaniah

Zephaniah is a prophetic book of the Hebrew Bible and the name of its assumed author, Zephaniah, who is described as the son of Cushi and a descendant of Hezekiah. The book is generally dated to the late 7th century BCE, during the reform era of King Josiah of Judah, though precise dating is debated. The opening verse identifies Zephaniah as a royal-era prophet, linking him to the line of Judah.

The text consists of three chapters and contains oracles of judgment and hope. It opens with a

In its theological scope, Zephaniah contributes to the broader prophetic tradition by stressing universal accountability and

sweeping
proclamation
of
the
Day
of
the
Lord,
announcing
judgment
first
on
Judah
and
Jerusalem
and
then
on
the
surrounding
nations,
including
Philistia,
Moab,
Ammon,
Cush,
and
Assyria.
Zephaniah
condemns
idolatry,
corruption,
and
social
injustice,
urging
repentance,
humility,
and
the
seeking
of
righteousness.
Despite
the
strong
emphasis
on
judgment,
the
book
also
holds
out
a
future
hope:
a
remnant
will
be
spared,
and
God
will
eventually
restore
a
purified
people
and
bring
about
worship
of
Him
from
the
nations.
the
possibility
of
restoration.
The
composition
is
part
of
the
Twelve
Minor
Prophets
in
the
Hebrew
Bible
and
is
included
in
the
Christian
Old
Testament
as
well.
Its
themes
of
the
Day
of
the
Lord
and
the
promise
of
renewal
have
influenced
later
Jewish
and
Christian
eschatological
thinking.