Zephaniah

Question 1

Chiastic structure of Zephaniah

Answer 1

*center is God’s kingdom fully realized

A Word of Yahweh (1:1a)
B Universal Gathering For Judgment (1:2,3)
C Judgment of Unfaithful Judah (1:4-6)
D Be Silent For Judgment! (1:7)
E Punishment of Unfaithful Judah (1:8-13)
F Judgment of the World (1:14-18)
G Judah Called to Repentance (2:1-3)
H Oracles Against the Nations (2:4-10)
I God’s Kingdom Fully Realized (2:11)
H’ Oracles Against the Nations (2:12-15)
G’ Judah Warned of Judgment (3:1-8)
F’ Conversion of the Nations (3:9,10)
E’ Preservation of Faithful Judah (3:11-13)
D’ Shout and Sing for Joy! (3:14)
C’ Blessing of Faithful Judah (3:15-17)
B’ Universal Gathering For Blessing (3:18-20)
A’ Says Yahweh (3:20f)

Question 2

Zephaniah Historical Background

Answer 2

The message of Zephaniah can be dated to the reign of Josiah (640-609 BC), probably before or
around 625 BC.
• 2:13 predicts destruction of Nineveh which occurred in 612 BC
• 1:4-5 describes syncretistic worship typical before the Josianic reforms of 621 BC.

Question 3

Message of Zephaniah

Answer 3

I. The Day of the Lord: Judgment upon Judah (1:1-18)
II. The Day of the Lord: Judgment upon the Nations (2:1-3:8)
III. The Aftermath of Judgment (3:9-20)
A. The Salvation of the Lord (3:9-13)
B. A Song of Praise for the Salvation of the Lord (3:14-20)