The Book of Zephaniah in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
The bulk of the book forms the introduction to the grand
closing consummation under Messiah (Zephaniah 1:2 to 3:8;
Zephaniah 3:9-20).
I. Threat of judgments (Zephaniah 1:2-7). On whom
they shall fall (Zephaniah 1:8-11). Nearness and awfulness
of the day of the Lord, and impossibility of escape
(Zephaniah 1:12-18). Call to the apostate nation to
repentance, and to the meek and righteous to exercise those
graces which may avert the day of wrath (Zephaniah 2:1-3).
Motive to it: God's coming judgments on Israel's foes, the
Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites (the land of which three
nations the remnant of Jehovah's people shall possess),
Ethiopians, and Nineveh, which shall be a desolation;
"He will famish all the gods of the earth (by
destroying the nations worshipping them), and men shall
worship Him" each in his own house (Zephaniah 2:4-15). The
call being slighted and even Jerusalem being unreformed of
her filthiness by the judgments on surrounding nations, the
just God is constrained to chastise her (Zephaniah 3:1-7).
In all this the Chaldaeans' name, the executioners of God's
vengeance on Judah, is not mentioned as in Jeremiah, for the
latter being nearer the fulfillment prophesies more
explicitly.
II. After her chastisement Jehovah invites the pious
remnant of the Jews to wait upon Him, as He is about to
interpose for Judah and Jerusalem against the nations
gathered against her (Zechariah 12-14). "The remnant of
Israel shall no longer do iniquity. The Lord her God shall
rejoice over her with joy, and make her a praise among all
people," who in consequence shall "all call upon Him and
serve Him with one consent" (Zephaniah 3:8-20). The style is
graphic and vivid, and the language pure and free from
Aramaisms.
Zephaniah 2:14 corresponds to Isaiah 34:11;
Zephaniah 2:15 corresponds to Isaiah 47:8; Zephaniah 3:10
corresponds to Isaiah 18:1; Zephaniah 2:8 corresponds to
Isaiah 16:6; Zephaniah 1:5 corresponds to Jeremiah 8:2;
Zephaniah 1:12 corresponds to Jeremiah 48:11. Romans 15:6
apparently refers to Zephaniah 3:9.
Read More