Zephaniah צְפַנְיָהוּ
Prophet, son of Cushi, descendant of Hezekiah
Who is Zephaniah in the Bible?
Zephaniah was a prophet of Judah who ministered during the reign of King Josiah in the late 7th century BC, as indicated in Zephaniah 1:1. He was the son of Cushi and a descendant of King Hezekiah, which suggests he came from a royal lineage. The book of Zephaniah, which he authored, is the ninth book of the Minor Prophets and contains his prophecies concerning God's judgment upon Judah and surrounding nations. His message emphasizes the Day of the Lord as a time of both divine judgment and ultimate salvation, culminating in a promise of hope and restoration for the remnant of Israel. Zephaniah's significance lies in his call to repentance and his assurance that despite coming judgment, God would preserve and restore His people.
Biography
Zephaniah was a prophet of Judah who ministered during the reign of King Josiah, likely in the late 7th century BC. He was the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah. This genealogy suggests that Zephaniah may have been a descendant of King Hezekiah of Judah. The book of Zephaniah, the ninth book of the Minor Prophets, is attributed to him. In his prophecies, Zephaniah addresses the judgment coming upon Judah and the surrounding nations, as well as the future restoration of God's people. His message emphasizes the Day of the Lord, a time of both judgment and salvation. The book concludes with a promise of hope and joy for the remnant of Israel.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentZephaniah 1 verse
- Zephaniah 1:1
"This is the word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:"
Study Zephaniah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | צְפַנְיָהוּ | ṣĕpanĕyāh | Tsephanjah , the name of four Israelites |