Sophonias
TextsWhat is the meaning of Sophonias in the Bible?
The form in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) of 2 Esdras 1:40 for Zephaniah the prophet.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this variant spelling aids readers in navigating textual differences between the Hebrew Bible and the Apocrypha, clarifying that Sophonias and Zephaniah refer to the same historical figure.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Sophonias functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Sophonias in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sophonias clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Sophonias." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/sophonias/