ZEPHANIAH, BOOK OF

The prophet Zephaniah was the great, great grandson of king Hezekiah (1:1). His prophetic ministry was conducted in the days of Judah's good king, Josiah (cir. 639-09 B.C.). Josiah came to the throne as a boy of eight, but he grew spiritually (2 Kg. 22, 23; 2 Chron. 34, 35), and initiated a great reform when a copy of "the law" was found in the temple in the eighteenth year of his reign. The prophet foretells the coming "great day of the Jehovah" that was hastening and near (1:14) -- an allusion to the impending Babylonian captivity. Other evil nations would also see the wrath of God. But there was hope in the promise of the coming Messianic age (cf. 3:8ff).