Overview
Zephaniah proclaims the judgment of the Day of YHWH upon Judah and the nations and urges the humble to seek YHWH. After the judgment, the nations will serve YHWH with one accord and a pure speech, the humble remnant will be restored, and YHWH will rejoice in their midst.
Theme The judgment of the Day of YHWH and the restoration of a purified remnant
Historical background
Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Josiah of Judah. Because the book describes the idolatry that had spread under Manasseh and Amon as still present, it is widely dated before Josiah's reform of 622 BC. In this period Assyria was in decline and Babylon was rising. Zephaniah began his ministry at about the same time as Jeremiah.