1. Zephaniah 3:16-17 (NKJV)
 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.
17 The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

2. Knowing God’s Word
Zephaniah

3. Knowing God’s Word
Last week we studied Habakkuk, a dialogue between the prophet and God concerning Judah
This week we move on to the book of Zephaniah
The book of Zephaniah is the 36th book of our OT; the 9th of the minor prophets

4. Knowing God’s Word Zephaniah is the author of this book (1:1)
The Hebrew name Tsephaniyah means “Yahweh Hides” or “Yahweh Was Hidden” (2:3)
The Greek form of the Hebrew word is Sophonias
There is much we know about this man

5. Knowing God’s Word
Zephaniah was the great-great grandson of King Hezekiah (1:1)
He would have been born late in the reign of King Manasseh (who followed Hezekiah)
He likely lived in Jerusalem and was probably close to the king

6. Knowing God’s Word
Zephaniah prophesied early in the reign of Josiah (1:1), before the reforms (1:4-6; 3:1-7)
The date of this prophecy would likely be around 630 BC
He would have been a contemporary of Jeremiah, Nahum and Habakkuk

7. Knowing God’s Word
Zephaniah’s prophecy was to Judah and their wickedness
He also mentions many of the heathen nations such as Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Egypt, Ethiopia and Assyria (2)
One phrase oft mentioned is the “Day of the Lord”

8. Knowing God’s Word
Certainly God’s judgment would come upon all of these
He even predicts the fall of Jerusalem
However, there is also hope that is given through this prophetic message as well
Thus Zephaniah brings us through judgment to God’s blessings

9. Knowing God’s Word Key Verses in Zephaniah: 1:4-8 1:14-18 2:3 3:9
3:16-17

10. Knowing God’s Word Outline of Zephaniah:
Judah’s Destruction and the Coming Day of the Lord (1:1-2:3)
Judgment Upon Surrounding Nations (2:4-15)
Judgment on Jerusalem (3:1-7)
Promise of Hope and Salvation for the Righteous (3:8-20)