Reference: Zephaniah
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1. A Kohathite, in the seventh generation from Levi, 1Ch 6:36.
2. A priest, high in the sacred order, during the troublous times of king Zedekiah, who often communicated with Jeremiah by his agency. He was among the captives slain by the king of Babylon at Riblah, 2Ki 25:18-21; Jer 21:1; 29/25/type/mstc'>29:25,29; 37:3; 52:24-27.
3. The ninth in order of the minor prophets, of the tribe of Simeon. He prophesied in the early part of king Josiah's reign, before the reforms of that good king were instituted, 2Ch 34:3; Zep 1:4-5. This would fix his date about 630 B. C., and the destruction of Nineveh, foretold in Zep 2:13, occurred in 625 B. C. His prophecy contains two oracles, in three chapters, directed against idolaters in Judah, against surrounding idolatrous nations, and against wicked rulers, priests, and prophets. It closes with cheering promises of gospel blessings. His style and manner are like those of Jeremiah, during whose early years they were contemporary. His subsequent history is unknown.
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And the chief Marshal took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the highest priest save one, and three keepers of the door. And out of the city he took a certain chamberlain that had the oversight of the men of war, and five men that were ever in the king's presence, which were found in the city, and Sophar the captain of the host that taught the people of the land to make war, and three score men of the people of the land that were found in the city also. read more. And Nebuzaradan the chief Marshal took them and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah. And the king of Babylon smote them and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. And so Judah was carried away out of all their land.
Insomuch that the eighth year of his reign, when he was yet a lad, he began to seek after the God of David his father. And in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of hill altars, groves, carved Images, and Images of metal:
These are the words that the LORD spake unto Jeremiah, what time as king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashhur the son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, priest, saying,
Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Because thou hast sealed letters under thy name unto all the people that is at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, yea and sent them to all the priests: wherein thou writest thus unto him:
Which letter Zephaniah the priest did read, and let Jeremiah the prophet hear it.
Nevertheless Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the Priest to the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, "O pray thou unto the LORD our God for us."
The chief Captain also took Seraiah the high priest, and Zephaniah that was chief next him, and the three keepers of the treasury. He took out of the city a chamberlain which was a captain of the soldiers, and seven men that were the king's servants, which were found in the city; and Sepher, a captain that used to muster the men of war; with sixty men of the country that were taken in the city. read more. These Nebuzaradan the chief Captain took, and carried them to the king of Babylon unto Riblah: and the king of Babylon caused them to be put to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. And thus Judah was led away captive, out of his own land.
I will stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all such as dwell at Jerusalem. Thus will I root out the remnant of Baal from this place, and the names of the Chemarims and priests: yea, and such as upon their house-tops worship and bow themselves unto the host of heaven: which swear by the LORD, and by their Milcom also:
Yea, he shall stretch out his hand over the north, and destroy Assyria. As for Nineveh, he shall make it desolate, dry and waste.
Easton
Jehovah has concealed, or Jehovah of darkness. (1.) The son of Cushi, and great-grandson of Hezekiah, and the ninth in the order of the minor prophets. He prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah (B.C. 641-610), and was contemporary with Jeremiah, with whom he had much in common. The book of his prophecies consists of:
(a) An introduction (1:1-6), announcing the judgment of the world, and the judgment upon Israel, because of their transgressions.
(b) The description of the judgment (1:7-18).
(c) An exhortation to seek God while there is still time (2:1-3).
(d) The announcement of judgment on the heathen (2:4-15).
(e) The hopeless misery of Jerusalem (3:1-7).
(f) The promise of salvation (3:8-20).
(2.) The son of Maaseiah, the "second priest" in the reign of Zedekiah, often mentioned in Jeremiah as having been sent from the king to inquire (Jer 21:1) regarding the coming woes which he had denounced, and to entreat the prophet's intercession that the judgment threatened might be averted (29/25/type/mstc'>Jer 29:25-26,29; 37:3; 52:24). He, along with some other captive Jews, was put to death by the king of Babylon "at Riblah in the land of Hamath" (2Ki 25:21).
(3.) A Kohathite ancestor of the prophet Samuel (1Ch 6:36).
(4.) The father of Josiah, the priest who dwelt in Jerusalem when Darius issued the decree that the temple should be rebuilt (Zec 6:10).
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And the king of Babylon smote them and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. And so Judah was carried away out of all their land.
These are the words that the LORD spake unto Jeremiah, what time as king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashhur the son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, priest, saying,
Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Because thou hast sealed letters under thy name unto all the people that is at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, yea and sent them to all the priests: wherein thou writest thus unto him: 'The LORD hath ordained thee to be priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, that thou shouldest be the chief in the house of the LORD above all prophets, and preachers, and that thou mightest put them in prison, or in the stocks.
Which letter Zephaniah the priest did read, and let Jeremiah the prophet hear it.
Nevertheless Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the Priest to the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, "O pray thou unto the LORD our God for us."
The chief Captain also took Seraiah the high priest, and Zephaniah that was chief next him, and the three keepers of the treasury.
'Take of the prisoners that are come from Babylon: namely, Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah: and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
Fausets
("Jehovah hath hidden") (Ps 27:5; 83:3).
1. Ninth of the minor prophets; "in the days of Josiah," between 642 and 611 B.C. "Son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah." The specification of his father, grandfather, and great grandfather, implies he was sprung from men of note. The omission of the designation "king," or "king of Judah," is against the notion that the "Hizkiah" means king Hezekiah (compare Pr 25:1; Isa 38:9). He prophesied in the former part of Josiah's reign. In Zep 2:13-15 he foretells Nineveh's fall (625 B.C.), therefore his prophesying was before 625 B.C.; and in Zep 1:4-6 threatens "cutting off" to "the remnant of Baal" and "the name of the (See CHEMARIMS with the priests "; see Ho 10:5 margin, "and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops, and them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham."
Fulfilled by Josiah (2Ki 23:4-5). Josiah's reformation was begun in the 12th year of his reign, and was completed in the 18th. Zephaniah in denouncing the different forms of idolatry paved the way for Josiah's work, and probably cooperated with the king from the 12th to the 18th year. Jewish tradition says that Zephaniah had as his colleagues Jeremiah, labouring in the thoroughfares and market places, and Huldah the prophetess in the college in Jerusalem. His position among the prophets, and his quotations from Joel, Amos, and Isaiah, indicate the correctness of the date assigned to him in Zep 1:1.
In Zep 1:8, "I will punish the king's children" must refer to coming judgments on the foreseen idolatries of the younger members of the royal family (Jer 22:19; 39:6; 2Ki 23:31-37; 2Ch 36:5-6; 2Ki 20:18). Not only the masses, but even princes, should not escape the penalty of idolatry. "The remnant of Baal" (Zep 1:4) implies that Josiah's reformation was already begun but not completed.
2. "The second priest" or sagan, next to the high priest. Son of Maaseiah. Sent by Zedekiah to consult Jeremiah (Jer 21:1). Succeeded to Jehoiada who was in exile. Appealed to by Shemaiah in a letter from Babylon to punish Jeremiah with imprisonment and the stocks for declaring the captivity would be long (Jer 29:25-26,29). Zephaniah read the letter to Jeremiah. This fact and Shemaiah's upbraiding Zephaniah for want of zeal against Jeremiah imply that Zephaniah was less prejudiced against Jeremiah than the others. This was the reason for the king's choosing him as messenger to the prophet (Jer 37:3). Slain by Nebuchadnezzar as an accomplice in Zedekiah's rebellion (Jer 52:24,27). Jer 52:3. Father of Hen or Josiah (Zec 6:14). Zec 6:4. Ancestor of Samuel and Heman; a Kohathite Levite (1Ch 6:36), called Uriel 1Ch 6:24.
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And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the inferior priests and the keepers of the door, to bring out of the temple of the LORD, all the vessels that were made for Baal and for the grove and for all the host of heaven. And he burnt them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried the ashes of them into Bethel. And he put down the Chemarims which the kings of Judah had set to burn offerings in the hill altars in the cities of Judah round about Jerusalem and also them that burnt sacrifices unto Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
and his son Tahath; and Uriel was his son, and Uzziah his son, and Shaul was his son.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; yea in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
They imagine craftily against thy people, and take counsel against thy secret ones.
These also are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah gathered together.
A thanksgiving, which Hezekiah king of Judah wrote, when he had been sick, and was recovered.
These are the words that the LORD spake unto Jeremiah, what time as king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashhur the son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, priest, saying,
But as an Ass shall he be buried corrupt, and be cast without the gates of Jerusalem.
Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Because thou hast sealed letters under thy name unto all the people that is at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, yea and sent them to all the priests: wherein thou writest thus unto him: 'The LORD hath ordained thee to be priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, that thou shouldest be the chief in the house of the LORD above all prophets, and preachers, and that thou mightest put them in prison, or in the stocks.
Which letter Zephaniah the priest did read, and let Jeremiah the prophet hear it.
Nevertheless Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the Priest to the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, "O pray thou unto the LORD our God for us."
So the king of Babylon caused the children of Zedekiah and all the nobles of Judah be slain before his face at Riblah.
Wherefore the LORD was angry at Jerusalem and Judah, so long till he had cast them out of his presence. And Zedekiah fell from the king of Babylon.
The chief Captain also took Seraiah the high priest, and Zephaniah that was chief next him, and the three keepers of the treasury.
and the king of Babylon caused them to be put to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. And thus Judah was led away captive, out of his own land.
They that dwell in Samaria have worshiped the calf of Bethaven: therefore shall the people mourn over them, yea and the priests also, that in their wealthiness rejoiced with them. And why? It shall pass away from them.
This is the word of the LORD, which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah the son of Hezekiah: in the time of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah.
I will stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all such as dwell at Jerusalem. Thus will I root out the remnant of Baal from this place, and the names of the Chemarims and priests:
I will stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all such as dwell at Jerusalem. Thus will I root out the remnant of Baal from this place, and the names of the Chemarims and priests: yea, and such as upon their house-tops worship and bow themselves unto the host of heaven: which swear by the LORD, and by their Milcom also: read more. which start back from the LORD, and neither seek after the LORD, nor regard him.
And thus shall it happen in the day of the LORD's slain offering: I will visit the princes, the king's children, and all such as wear strange clothing.
Yea, he shall stretch out his hand over the north, and destroy Assyria. As for Nineveh, he shall make it desolate, dry and waste. The flocks and all the beasts of the people shall lie in the midst of it, pelicans and storks shall abide in the upper posts of it, fowls shall sing in the windows, and ravens shall sit upon the balks, for the borders of cedar shall be riven down. read more. This is the proud and careless city, that said in her heart, "I am, and there is else none." O how is she made so waste, that the beasts lie therein? Whoso goeth by, mocketh her, and pointeth at her with his finger.
Then spake I and said unto the angel that talked with me, 'O lord, what are these?'
And the crowns shall be in the temple of the LORD, for a remembrance unto Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah. And such as be far off, shall come and build the temple of the LORD,
Hastings
1. The prophet (see next art.). 2. A Kohathite (1Ch 6:36). 3. Son of Maaseiah the priest in Jerusalem in the time of Zekediah the king and Jeremiah the prophet (Jer 21:1; 29/25/type/mstc'>29:25,29; 37:3). As next in rank to Seraiah, grandson of Hilkiah (1Ch 6:14), Zeph. is called second priest (2Ki 25:18). On the occasion of the final overthrow of Jerusalem he was put to death at Riblah (Jer 52:24 ff.). 4. The father of one Josiah in Babylon (Zec 6:10,14).
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And the chief Marshal took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the highest priest save one, and three keepers of the door.
These are the words that the LORD spake unto Jeremiah, what time as king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashhur the son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, priest, saying,
Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Because thou hast sealed letters under thy name unto all the people that is at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, yea and sent them to all the priests: wherein thou writest thus unto him:
Which letter Zephaniah the priest did read, and let Jeremiah the prophet hear it.
Nevertheless Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the Priest to the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, "O pray thou unto the LORD our God for us."
The chief Captain also took Seraiah the high priest, and Zephaniah that was chief next him, and the three keepers of the treasury.
'Take of the prisoners that are come from Babylon: namely, Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah: and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
And the crowns shall be in the temple of the LORD, for a remembrance unto Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah. And such as be far off, shall come and build the temple of the LORD,
Morish
Zephani'ah
1. Son of Maaseiah and 'second' priest in the reign of Zedekiah; he was carried captive to Nebuchadnezzar and slain at Riblah. 2Ki 25:18; Jer 21:1; 29/25/type/mstc'>29:25,29; 37:3; 52:24.
2. Son of Tahath, a Kohathite. 1Ch 6:36-37.
3. Son of Cushi, and one of the 'minor prophets.' Zep 1:1.
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And the chief Marshal took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the highest priest save one, and three keepers of the door.
the son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah, the son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,
These are the words that the LORD spake unto Jeremiah, what time as king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashhur the son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, priest, saying,
Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Because thou hast sealed letters under thy name unto all the people that is at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, yea and sent them to all the priests: wherein thou writest thus unto him:
Which letter Zephaniah the priest did read, and let Jeremiah the prophet hear it.
Nevertheless Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the Priest to the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, "O pray thou unto the LORD our God for us."
The chief Captain also took Seraiah the high priest, and Zephaniah that was chief next him, and the three keepers of the treasury.
This is the word of the LORD, which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah the son of Hezekiah: in the time of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah.
'Take of the prisoners that are come from Babylon: namely, Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah: and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
And the crowns shall be in the temple of the LORD, for a remembrance unto Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah. And such as be far off, shall come and build the temple of the LORD,
Smith
Zephani'ah
(hidden by Jehovah).
1. The ninth in order of the twelve minor prophets. His pedigree is traced to his fourth ancestor, Hezekiah,
supposed to be the celebrated king of that name. The chief characteristics of this book are the unity and harmony of the composition, the grace, energy and dignity of its style, and the rapid and effective alternations of threats and promises. The general tone of the last portion is Messianic, but without any specific reference to the person of our Lord. The date of the book is given in the inscription--viz, the reign of Josiah, from 642 to 611 B.C. It is most probable moreover, that the prophecy was delivered before the eighteenth year of Josiah.
2. The son of Maaseiah,
and sagan or second priest in the reign of Zedekiah. (B.C. 588.) He succeeded Jehoida,
and was probably a ruler of the temple, whose office it was, among others, to punish pretenders to the gift of prophecy.
On the capture of Jerusalem he was taken and slain at Riblah.
3. Father of Josiah, 2,
and of Hen, according to the reading of the received text of
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These are the words that the LORD spake unto Jeremiah, what time as king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashhur the son of Malchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, priest, saying,
Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts the God of Israel: Because thou hast sealed letters under thy name unto all the people that is at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, yea and sent them to all the priests: wherein thou writest thus unto him: 'The LORD hath ordained thee to be priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, that thou shouldest be the chief in the house of the LORD above all prophets, and preachers, and that thou mightest put them in prison, or in the stocks.
Which letter Zephaniah the priest did read, and let Jeremiah the prophet hear it.
The chief Captain also took Seraiah the high priest, and Zephaniah that was chief next him, and the three keepers of the treasury.
and the king of Babylon caused them to be put to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. And thus Judah was led away captive, out of his own land.
This is the word of the LORD, which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah the son of Hezekiah: in the time of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah.
'Take of the prisoners that are come from Babylon: namely, Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah: and come thou the same day, and go into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah.
And the crowns shall be in the temple of the LORD, for a remembrance unto Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah. And such as be far off, shall come and build the temple of the LORD,
Watsons
ZEPHANIAH was the son of Cushi, and was probably of a noble family of the tribe of Simeon. He prophesied in the reign of Josiah, about B.C. 630. He denounces the judgments of God against the idolatry and sins of his countrymen, and exhorts them to repentance; he predicts the punishment of the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, and Ethiopians, and foretels the destruction of Nineveh; he again inveighs against the corruptions of Jerusalem, and with his threats mixes promises of future favour and prosperity to his people; whose recall from their dispersion shall glorify the name of God throughout the world. The style of Zephaniah is poetical; but it is not distinguished by any peculiar elegance or beauty, though generally animated and impressive.