Zephaniah 1:1

¶ The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} which came unto Zephaniah {H6846} the son {H1121} of Cushi {H3570}, the son {H1121} of Gedaliah {H1436}, the son {H1121} of Amariah {H568}, the son {H1121} of Hizkiah {H2396}, in the days {H3117} of Josiah {H2977} the son {H1121} of Amon {H526}, king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}.

This is the word of ADONAI that came to Tz'fanyah the son of Kushi, the son of G'dalyah, the son of Amaryah, the son of Hizkiyah, during the reign of Yoshiyahu the son of Amon, king of Y'hudah:

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:

The word of Jehovah which came unto 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.

Zephaniah 1:1 serves as the crucial opening verse to the book of Zephaniah, immediately establishing the prophet's identity, lineage, and the historical context of his divine message. This introduction is typical of prophetic books, lending authenticity and authority to the words that follow.

Context and Historical Setting

The prophet is identified as Zephaniah, whose name means "the Lord has hidden" or "the Lord has treasured." His extended genealogy, tracing back four generations to "Hizkiah," is remarkably detailed for a prophetic introduction. This "Hizkiah" is widely believed to be none other than King Hezekiah, making Zephaniah a descendant of royalty and a distant cousin to the reigning King Josiah. This royal connection would have added significant weight and influence to his prophetic pronouncements in Judah and Jerusalem.

The prophecy is dated "in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah." Josiah's reign (640-609 BC) was a period of significant religious reform and national revival after the idolatrous reigns of his predecessors, Manasseh and Amon. Zephaniah's ministry likely occurred early in Josiah's reign, perhaps before the full impact of the reforms described in 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34 had taken root. This timing is critical, as it highlights that even during a time of attempted spiritual renewal, deep-seated corruption persisted, necessitating Zephaniah's stern warnings of impending judgment and a call to genuine repentance for the people of Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority: The phrase "The word of the Lord which came unto Zephaniah" immediately establishes that the subsequent message is not merely human opinion but a direct revelation from God. This divine origin underscores the gravity and truthfulness of the prophecy.
  • Prophetic Legitimacy: By clearly identifying the prophet and his historical setting, the verse authenticates Zephaniah as a true messenger of God, similar to other prophets like Jeremiah and Hosea, whose ministries also began with such declarations.
  • Historical Anchoring: The precise dating ties the prophecy to a specific period in Judah's history, allowing readers to understand the socio-political and religious context in which the divine message was delivered.

Linguistic Insights

The name Zephaniah (Hebrew: צְפַנְיָה, Tsephanyah) carries the meaning "the Lord has hidden" or "the Lord has treasured." This is particularly poignant given the book's themes of judgment and the preservation of a remnant. While much of the book focuses on God's wrath and the coming "Day of the Lord," the prophet's name subtly foreshadows the grace extended to those whom the Lord preserves and treasures, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the pronouncements of doom.

Practical Application

Zephaniah 1:1 reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • God communicates His will to humanity through chosen messengers, and His word carries ultimate authority and relevance for all generations.
  • Understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical texts deepens our appreciation for their original meaning and contemporary significance.
  • Even in periods of religious reform or revival, God's call for genuine repentance and righteousness remains constant, highlighting the need for true heart change rather than mere outward observance.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 1:2

    To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:1

    ¶ Josiah [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:33

    And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God. [And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.

  • Hosea 1:1

    ¶ The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 1:3

    The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

  • 2 Peter 1:19

    ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

  • 2 Kings 22:1

    ¶ Josiah [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
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