encyclopedia

Prophet Zephaniah – The Prophet of Warning, Purity, and Hope

Published on: 19-Jan-2026

(Cite: Hamdani, Mufti Shah Rafi Uddin & Khan, Dr. (Mufti) Imran. (2018), Prophet Zephaniah Alaihis Salam, Encyclopedia of Muhammad Sallallah o Alaih Wasallam, Seerat Research Center, Karachi, Pakistan, Vol. 1, Pg. 341-343.)

Zephaniah Alaihis Salam, also spelt Sophonias (flourished 7th century BC), was an Israelite prophet. He is the ninth of the twelve Minor Prophets of the Canon of the Old Testament; preached and wrote in the second half of the seventh century B.C. He was a contemporary and supporter of the great Jeremiah. His name (Hebrew Zephanja, that is "the Lord conceals", "the Lord protects") might, on the analogy of Gottfried, be most briefly translated by the words God protect. The only primary source from which we obtain our scanty knowledge of the personality and the rhetorical and literary qualities of Sophonias is the short book of the Old Testament (containing only three chapters), which bears his name. He is described as "the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, King of Judah". He seems, therefore, to have been a descendant of Hezekiah, King of Judah, since otherwise only the name of his father would have been given. 1

The Moral And Religious Condition of The People

The Book of Zephaniah furnishes a vivid picture of the social, moral, and religious conditions in Judah at the time Zephaniah prophesied. Social injustice and moral corruption were widespread. Luxury and extravagance might be seen on every hand; fortunes were heaped up by oppressing the poor. The religious situation was equally bad. The reaction under Manasseh came near making an end of Yahweh-worship. Amon followed in the footsteps of his father, and the outlook was exceedingly dark when Josiah came to the throne. Fortunately, the young king came under prophetic influence from the beginning, and soon undertook a religious reform, which reached its culmination in the 18th year of his reign. When Zephaniah preached, this reform was still in the future. The Baalim were still worshipped, and the high places were flourishing; the hosts of heaven were adored upon the housetops; a half-hearted Yahweh (God)-worship, which in reality was idolatry, was widespread; great multitudes had turned entirely from following Allah. The few who, amid the general corruption, remained faithful would be insufficient to avert the awful judgment upon the nation, though they might be "hid in the day of Yahweh's anger". 2

Zephaniah Alaihis Salam spoke boldly against these corrupt moral and religious practices. He warned them that if they did not repent, then they will have to suffer the wrath of God. This is stated in the Bible as:

وَأَمُدُّ يَدِي عَلَى يَهُوذَا وَعَلَى كُلِّ سُكَّانِ أُورُشَلِيمَ، وَأَقْطَعُ مِنْ هَذَا ٱلْمَكَانِ بَقِيَّةَ ٱلْبَعْلِ، ٱسْمَ ٱلْكَمَارِيمِ، مَعَ ٱلْكَهَنَةِ. 3
I will punish the people of Jerusalem and of all Judah. I will destroy the last trace of the worship of Baal there, and no one will even remember the pagan priests who serve him.

The word ‘I’ refers to the God, and He is warning the people to refrain from ignorant and idolatry practices. The next set of words depicts the punishment which is in store for the people who continue to worship their idols. Zephaniah Alaihis Salam relentlessly tried to make his people see sense, but they didn’t.

Not only was their moral and religious system compromised, but the social system was also in pieces as well. The rich lived a lavish life and wore foreign garments which were extremely expensive whereas the poor were hardly able to make ends meet. As per the Biblical account, this practice was also despised by the God. To keep the people away from such practices, God warned them in the following words:

وَيَكُونُ فِي يَوْمِ ذَبِيحَةِ ٱلرَّبِّ أَنِّي أُعَاقِبُ ٱلرُّؤَسَاءَ وَبَنِي ٱلْمَلِكِ وَجَمِيعَ ٱلّلَابِسِينَ لِبَاسًا غَرِيبًا. 4
“On that day of slaughter,” says the Lord, “I will punish the officials, the king's sons, and all who practice foreign customs.”

It can be seen that the language of this book is vigorous, picturesque, and betrays an acquaintance with the earlier prophets. The ideas most emphasised are the providential control of the nations of the world, the necessity of purity and justice as opposed to the prevalent corruption and injustice of the day, and the refining value of judgment and suffering.

The Book of Zephaniah Alaihis Salam

The contents of the book of this prophet fall into two parts: the coming judgment on the world, including Israel and the nations; and a promise of universal salvation. Zephaniah's Alaihis Salam special denunciations are directed against false worship and irreligion. The calamity will find everyone, even in the hiding-places of Jerusalem; Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Cush, and Assyria shall be overwhelmed by punishment and disaster; Jerusalem in particular, being rebellious, corrupt, and disobedient to the word of God, shall fall under the divine wrath. Yet, on the other hand, God's promise is made known to the nations, that He will so purify them that they may call on Him, and all shall bring Him offerings. After the storm of judgment Israel shall be humble and shall trust in God alone. New social conditions shall arise, and justice and righteousness shall prevail so that the redeemed shall rejoice in the Lord. 5

homeabout uscontribute
privacy policyterms of usecontact us
Powered by Netsol Online