Zephaniah
- Dates
- 701–609 BC
Name means "the Lord has hidden." He is the son of Cushi and a descendent of King Hezekiah, a prophet in the days of King Josiah and author of a small Old Testament book named after him. He speaks about "the great day of the Lord" with warning.
In detail
Zephaniah, name means "Yahweh has concealed," or "Yahweh has protected." A prophet in the days of King Josiah, and author of the book of Zephaniah. He was descended from Hezekiah (KJV "Hizkiah"), and thus was probably of royal blood (Zep 1:1), as commentators generally agree. A prince of royal blood could more easily and effectively denounce the sins of the nobility and princes (ch 1:8). Although Zephaniah has left us a short book of prophecies, he provides no information about himself other than that found in v 1, and we know nothing about his life since he is mentioned nowhere else in the Bible.
Bible passages
- 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.
Text of the King James Version.