Zephaniah’s lengthy genealogy (1:1, four generations back to Hezekiah) suggests he was of royal lineage. Why list four generations (other prophets, at most, listed two generations; see Zch 1:1) unless this final name was significant? Perhaps because his father’s name was “Cushi,” people tended to suspect that Zephaniah was of mixed ancestry, including Cushite bloodlines. In fact, Zephaniah twice mentions the Cushites/Cush (“Ethiopians”) in his short prophecy (2:12; 3:10), possibly suggesting his Cushite roots.
Internal evidence indicates the book of Zephaniah was written sometime between 640 and 612 BC. Zephaniah 1:1 refers to King Josiah’s reign (ca 640–609 BC), and 2:13-15 prophesies Nineveh’s fall. Since Nineveh fell in 612 BC, Zephaniah’s prophecy would have been given prior to that time. Furthermore, existing idolatrous practices in Judah (1:4-6) imply Zephaniah’s ministry began before Josiah’s reforms in roughly 621 BC (2Kg 23).
King Josiah’s father, King Amon (1:1), was a wicked man, as was his father before him, King Manasseh (2Kg 21:1-7,11,16,20-22). This heritage of wickedness helps explain the rampant idolatry in the land when Josiah inherited the throne in 640 BC. Josiah struggled to squelch idolatry in Judah (Zph 1:4-9). Together pagan and “orthodox priests” led worship of the Lord while also bowing before Baal, Molech, and other pagan gods (1:4-6). The public reading of the book of the law (ca 621 BC) helped spawn the reforms of Josiah as people repented and tore down the numerous altars (cp. Jr 11:13) and other idolatrous paraphernalia of Baal and Molech (2Kg 23:1-14; see Zph 1:3-4). This included abolishing the false priests (2Kg 23:5).
The promise of a remnant illustrates God’s amazing grace counterbalancing his jealous wrath and blazing fury against the wicked (Nah 1:2-8). He would judge the proud nations (Zph 2:8-11,13-15) and purge the haughty braggarts from his people (3:11) to preserve the humble. Thus Zephaniah invited everyone who humbly obeyed the Lord to seek him for possible deliverance (2:2-3). The NT highlights the wonderful truth that all of us can find salvation through faith in Christ. Paul underscored the idea of the Jewish remnant and reminded us that the remnant is “chosen by grace,” not by works (Rm 11:5-6).
“The word of the Lord [lit Yahweh]” (1:1a) and “the Lord [Yahweh] has spoken” (3:20b) frame the whole book of Zephaniah to emphasize crucial complementary messages: imminent, universal judgment (1:1–3:8) but eventual blessing for the remnant (3:9-20). The chiastic first section, interlaced by the reinforcing refrain “this is the Lord’s declaration” (see 1:2-3,10a; 2:9a; 3:8a; cp. 2:5, “word of the Lord”), highlights an all-inclusive judgment.
Zephaniah 3:8 is a transitional exhortation that looks both backward (“therefore,” v. 8a) and forward (wait patiently for God to consummate judgment which will yield salvation for the remnant; vv. 9-13, introduced by Hebrew ki, “for/because” vv. 9,11). To offer hope during judgment in 3:8-13 may synthesize two exhortations: 1:7 (hush/wait for the day of the Lord’s “cutting off” the wicked) and 2:1-3 (pivotal invitation to seek him for possible salvation).
When this prophecy was given, their cup was full. They had so sinned against God that the day of doom came to them at last, and the prophet Zephaniah, in the name of God, said to them, “The word of the Lord is against you.” They had one overwhelming cause for dread, though they did not know it. They could conquer all nations, but a foe was marching against them, against whom they would fight in vain. When the prophet delivered the message, he rang the knell of their doom.
1The word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah.
2I will completely sweep away everything
from the face of the earth —
this is the LORD’s declaration.
3I will sweep away people and animals;
I will sweep away the birds of the sky
and the fish of the sea,
and the ruins A along with the wicked.
I will cut off mankind
from the face of the earth.
This is the LORD’s declaration.
4I will stretch out my hand against Judah
and against all the residents of Jerusalem.
I will cut off every vestige of Baal
from this place,
the names of the pagan priests
along with the priests;
5those who bow in worship on the rooftops
to the stars in the sky;
those who bow and pledge loyalty to the LORD
but also pledge loyalty to Milcom; B
6and those who turn back from following the LORD,
who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.
7Be 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.
8On the day of the LORD’s sacrifice
I will punish the officials, the king’s sons,
and all who are dressed in foreign clothing.
9On that day I will punish
all who skip over the threshold, C
who fill their master’s house
with violence and deceit.
10On that day —
this is the LORD’s declaration —
there will be an outcry from the Fish Gate,
a wailing from the Second District,
and a loud crashing from the hills.
11Wail, you residents of the Hollow, D
for all the merchants E will be silenced;
all those loaded with silver will be cut off.
12And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who settle down comfortably, F
who say to themselves:
The LORD will not do good or evil.
13Their wealth will become plunder
and their houses a ruin.
They will build houses but never live in them,
plant vineyards but never drink their wine.
14The great day of the LORD is near,
near and rapidly approaching.
Listen, the day of the LORD —
then the warrior’s cry is bitter.
15That day is 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 total darkness,
16a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities,
and against the high corner towers.
17I will bring distress on mankind,
and 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.
18Their silver and their gold
will be unable to rescue them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.
The whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of his jealousy,
for he will make a complete,
yes, a horrifying end
of all the inhabitants of the earth.
A 1:3 Perhaps objects connected with idolatry
B 1:5 Some LXX mss, Syr, Vg; MT, other LXX mss read their king
2Gather yourselves together;
gather together, undesirable A nation,
2before the decree takes effect
and the day passes like chaff,
before the burning of the LORD’s anger overtakes you,
before the day of the LORD’s anger overtakes you.
3Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth,
who carry out what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be concealed
on the day of the LORD’s anger.
4For Gaza will be abandoned,
and Ashkelon will become a ruin.
Ashdod will be driven out at noon,
and Ekron will be uprooted.
5Woe, inhabitants of the seacoast,
nation of the Cherethites! B
The word of the LORD is against you,
Canaan, land of the Philistines:
I will destroy you until there is no one left.
6The seacoast will become pasturelands
with caves for shepherds and pens for sheep.
7The coastland will belong
to the remnant of the house of Judah;
they will find pasture there.
They will lie down in the evening
among the houses of Ashkelon,
for the LORD their God will return to them
and restore their fortunes.
8I have heard the taunting of Moab
and the insults of the Ammonites,
who have taunted my people
and threatened their territory.
9Therefore, as I live —
this is the declaration of the LORD of Armies,
the God of Israel —
Moab will be like Sodom
and the Ammonites like Gomorrah:
a place overgrown with weeds,
a salt pit, and a perpetual wasteland.
The remnant of my people will plunder them;
the remainder of my nation will dispossess them.
10This is what they get for their pride,
because they have taunted and acted arrogantly
against the people of the LORD of Armies.
11The LORD will be terrifying to them
when he starves all the gods of the earth.
Then all the distant coasts and islands of the nations
will bow in worship to him,
each in its own place.
12You Cushites will also be slain by my sword.
13He will also stretch out his hand against the north
and destroy Assyria;
he will make Nineveh a desolate ruin,
dry as the desert.
14Herds will lie down in the middle of it,
every kind of wild animal. A
Both eagle owls B and herons C
will roost in the capitals
of its pillars.
Their calls will sound D from the window,
but devastation E will be on the threshold,
for he will expose the cedar work. F
15This is the jubilant city
that lives in security,
that thinks to herself:
I exist, and there is no one else.
What a desolation she has become,
a place for wild animals to lie down!
Everyone who passes by her
scoffs G and shakes his fist.
2:5 “Woe, inhabitants of the seacoast, nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, Canaan, land of the Philistines: I will destroy you until there is no one left.” When this prophecy was given, their cup was full. They had so sinned against God that the day of doom came to them at last, and the prophet Zephaniah, in the name of God, said to them, “The word of the LORD is against you.” They had one overwhelming cause for dread, though they did not know it. They could conquer all nations, but a foe was marching against them, against whom they would fight in vain. When the prophet delivered the message, he rang the knell of their doom. What an adversary is this: “The word of the LORD”! This enemy is more powerful than Egypt, or Assyria, or any of the tribes of men on the face of the earth. Those who have the word of the Lord against them have an enemy to fear more dreadful than the most fearful convulsion of nature. The prophet does not attempt to show the Philistines by what instrumentality God would break them in pieces, whether by plague or famine or pestilence or war. He simply says, “The word of the LORD is against you.” That is enough. He states the cause—the effects are sure to follow.
3Woe to the city that is rebellious H and defiled,
the oppressive city!
2She has not obeyed;
she has not accepted discipline.
She has not trusted in the LORD;
she has not drawn near to her God.
3The I princes within her are roaring lions;
her judges are wolves of the night,
which leave nothing for J the morning.
4Her prophets are reckless —
treacherous men.
Her priests profane the sanctuary;
they do violence to instruction.
5The righteous LORD is in her;
he does no wrong.
He applies his justice morning by morning;
he does not fail at dawn,
yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.
6I have cut off nations;
their corner towers are destroyed.
I have laid waste their streets,
with no one to pass through.
without a person, without an inhabitant.
7I thought: You will certainly fear me
and accept correction.
Then her dwelling place A
would not be cut off
based on all that I had allocated to her.
However, they became more corrupt
in all their actions.
8Therefore, wait for me —
this is the LORD’s declaration —
until the day I rise up for plunder. B
For my decision is to gather nations,
to assemble kingdoms,
in order to pour out my indignation on them,
all my burning anger;
for the whole earth will be consumed
by the fire of my jealousy.
9For I will then restore
pure speech to the peoples
so that all of them may call
on the name of the LORD
and serve him with a single purpose. C
10From beyond the rivers of Cush
my supplicants, my dispersed people,
will bring an offering to me.
11On that day you D will not be put to shame
because of everything you have done
in rebelling against me.
For then I will remove
from among you your jubilant, arrogant people,
and you will never again be haughty
on my holy mountain.
12I will leave
a meek and humble people among you,
and they will take refuge in the name of the LORD.
13The remnant of Israel will no longer
do wrong or tell lies;
a deceitful tongue will not be found
in their mouths.
They will pasture and lie down,
with nothing to make them afraid.
14Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
15The LORD has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the LORD, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
16On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
QUOTE 3:16-17
God is so happy in the love he bears to his people that he breaks the eternal silence, and sun and moon and stars with astonishment hear God chanting a hymn of joy.
QUOTE 3:16-17
The believer alone has songs when waters of a bitter cup are wrung out of him. Any sparrow can chirp in the daylight, but only the nightingale can sing in the dark.
17The LORD your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet A in his love.
He will delight in you
with singing.”
18I will gather those who have been driven
from the appointed festivals;
they will be a tribute from you B
and a reproach on her. C
19Yes, at that time
I will deal with all who oppress you.
I will save the lame and gather the outcasts;
I will make those who were disgraced
throughout the earth
receive praise and fame.
20At that time I will bring you D back,
yes, at the time I will gather you.
I will give you fame and praise
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes before your eyes.
The LORD has spoken.
3:2 “She has not obeyed; she has not accepted discipline. She has not trusted in the LORD; she has not drawn near to her God.” Here are four heavy counts of a terrible indictment against Jerusalem and the Jewish people. Is it not sad to reflect that Jerusalem was the city of the great king and yet fell from its high estate? It was the place of the great temple—there the light of God shined while other nations were in darkness—there the solemn worship of God was celebrated while false gods were being adored elsewhere. And yet its sin provoked the Lord until he gave it up to the destroyer. It is clear, therefore, that no degree of light and no amount of privilege can keep a people alive and right before God. If the heart is not changed, those who are exalted to heaven may yet be cast down to hell.
This text is not only applicable to a nation and to a church but to individuals among God’s own people. Some of God’s people follow Christ from a distance—their spiritual life is better seen in their fears than in their confidences. They are always trembling. Their hands are slack; their hearts are faint. We trust they are alive unto God, but that is all we can say. I fear it may be said of them, “She has not obeyed”—the gentle whisper of divine love falls on a deaf ear. How often has God spoken and we have not listened so as to obey his voice!
I fear, too, that there are times when we have not “accepted discipline”—when affliction has been lost on us. We have risen from a sickbed worse than when we went to it. Our losses and crosses have provoked us to murmuring rather than to heart searching. We have been bruised as in a mortar among wheat with a grinder, and yet our folly has not departed from us. And this is a provoking thing—when we despise the rod and the hand that uses it—and do not turn to the Lord. Yet it is so with some of God’s people: they do not obey his voice, they do not receive correction; and, therefore, it comes to pass that at times they have “not trusted in the Lord.”
3:16-17 “On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: ‘Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.’” The last word is the most wonderful of all: “He will delight in you with singing.” Think of the great Jehovah singing. Can you imagine it? Is it possible to conceive of the deity breaking into a song? Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together singing over the redeemed? God is so happy in the love he bears to his people that he breaks the eternal silence, and sun and moon and stars with astonishment hear God chanting a hymn of joy. Among some people groups a certain song is sung by the bridegroom when he receives his bride. It is intended to declare his joy in her and in the fact that his marriage has come. Here, by the pen of inspiration, the God of love is pictured as married to his church and so rejoicing in her that he rejoices over her with singing.
There are three things for God’s people to do. The first is to be happy. Verse 14 says, “Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and celebrate with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!” Any person can sing when his cup is full of delights. The believer alone has songs when waters of a bitter cup are wrung out of him. Any sparrow can chirp in the daylight, but only the nightingale can sing in the dark. As children of God, whenever the enemies seem to prevail over us, whenever the ranks of the foe appear sure of victory, then we must begin to sing. Our victory will come with our song.