Zephaniah
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Zephaniah in the Bible?
A prophet who ministered during the reign of King Josiah, delivering warnings of the coming Day of the Lord and the judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Zephaniah's role clarifies the political tensions in Judah during the late pre-exilic period, illustrating the conflict between prophetic warnings of judgment and the royal establishment's desire to maintain the status quo.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Zephaniah reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Zephaniah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zephaniah 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
"Zephaniah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/zephaniah/