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Zephaniah 1

World English Bible

WEB

1Yahweh’s word which came to Zephaniah, the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, king of Judah. 2I will utterly sweep away everything from the surface of the earth, says Yahweh. 3I will sweep away man and animal. I will sweep away the birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and the heaps of rubble with the wicked. I will cut off man from the surface of the earth, says Yahweh. 4I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place—the name of the idolatrous and pagan priests, 5those who worship the army of the sky on the housetops, those who worship and swear by Yahweh and also swear by Malcam, 6those who have turned back from following Yahweh, and those who haven’t sought Yahweh nor inquired after him. 7Be silent at the presence of the Lord Yahweh, for the day of Yahweh is at hand. For Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice. He has consecrated his guests. 8It will happen in the day of Yahweh’s sacrifice that I will punish the princes, the king’s sons, and all those who are clothed with foreign clothing. 9In that day, I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, who fill their master’s house with violence and deceit. 10In that day, says Yahweh, there will be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, a wailing from the second quarter, and a great crashing from the hills. 11Wail, you inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the people of Canaan are undone! All those who were loaded with silver are cut off. 12It will happen at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are settled on their dregs, who say in their heart, “Yahweh will not do good, neither will he do evil.” 13Their wealth will become a plunder, and their houses a desolation. Yes, they will build houses, but won’t inhabit them. They will plant vineyards, but won’t drink their wine. 14The great day of Yahweh is near. It is near and hurries greatly, the voice of the day of Yahweh. The mighty man cries there bitterly. 15That day is a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, 16a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high battlements. 17I will bring such distress on men that they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against Yahweh. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung. 18Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Yahweh’s wrath, but the whole land will be devoured by the fire of his jealousy; for he will make an end, yes, a terrible end, of all those who dwell in the land.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Zephaniah Chapter 1 serves as a powerful introduction to the prophetic message of Zephaniah, focusing on the impending judgment of God against Judah and the surrounding nations. The chapter begins with a declaration of God's intention to utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth, including humans and animals, as a response to the pervasive sin and idolatry that has taken root in the land (#Judgment, #Idolatry). This divine pronouncement emphasizes God's holiness and the seriousness of sin, reminding us that He will not tolerate rebellion against His commandments. The imagery of destruction is vivid, illustrating the totality of God's judgment as He prepares to cleanse the land of its corruption.

The prophet then specifically addresses the people of Judah, calling them to repentance and warning them of the consequences of their actions. He condemns the complacency of those who believe they are safe because of their heritage or religious practices, stating that the Day of the Lord is near and will bring darkness and despair (#DayOfTheLord). Zephaniah highlights the need for humility and seeking the Lord, promising that those who do so may find refuge in Him. The chapter concludes with a stark reminder that God's judgment is not only for Judah but also extends to the nations, emphasizing His sovereignty over all creation. This chapter calls us to reflect on our own lives, urging us to turn away from sin and seek the Lord while there is still time.

Study

13 of 14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. 2 Kings 23:5v42 Kings 23:5 describes Josiah's removal of idolatrous priests, which aligns with Zephaniah 1:4-5, where God declares judgment on those who worship Baal and other false gods.
  2. Proverbs 11:4v18Proverbs 11:4 states that riches do not profit in the day of wrath, a theme echoed in Zephaniah 1:18, which declares that neither silver nor gold will deliver in the day of the Lord’s wrath.
  3. Jeremiah 48:11v12Jeremiah 48:11 describes Moab as being at ease and settled, similar to Zephaniah 1:12, which warns against complacency and the false belief that God will do neither good nor evil.
  4. Ezekiel 7:19v18Ezekiel 7:19 speaks of silver and gold being unable to deliver in the day of the Lord's wrath, echoed in Zephaniah 1:18 where neither silver nor gold can save in the day of the Lord's wrath.
  5. Joel 2:1v14Joel 2:1 warns of the coming 'day of the LORD,' a theme echoed in Zephaniah 1:14-16, which describes the day as a time of wrath and distress.
  6. Micah 5:10-15v4Micah 5:10-15 speaks of God removing idolatry and reliance on military might, which is echoed in Zephaniah 1:4-6 where God declares judgment on idolatry and those who turn away from Him.
  7. Habakkuk 2:20v7Habakkuk 2:20 calls for silence before the LORD, similar to Zephaniah 1:7, which commands silence in the presence of the Lord, emphasizing reverence and awe.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

  • Joel 2Apocalyptic LiteratureDay of the Lord
  • Amos 5Seek the LordComplacencyDay of the Lord
  • Isaiah 13Apocalyptic LiteratureDay of the Lord
  • Ezekiel 7Worthlessness of WealthApocalyptic LiteratureComplacency
  • Isaiah 34Apocalyptic LiteratureDay of the LordDivine Wrath
  • Revelation 8SilenceApocalyptic LiteratureUrgency
  • Amos 6ComplacencyDay of the LordVigilance
  • Zephaniah 2ZephaniahSeek the LordComplacency
  • 1 Thessalonians 5Day of the LordWrathReadiness
  • Joel 1Day of the LordDivine Wrath
  • Ezekiel 30Day of the LordDarkness
  • 2 Kings 22JosiahLiterary Influence of the BibleKings of Judah

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