The ninth book of the Minor Prophets; the thirty-sixth book of the Old Testament; the thirty-sixth book of the Bible.
Author: Zephaniah, named in Zephaniah 1:1.
Audience: Zephaniah wrote for Jews living in Judah, during the reign of the godly king Josiah. Because of Josiah’s influence, Zephaniah’s message fell upon ears open to the message of the Lord. This occurred during a brief period of revival prior to Judah’s apostasy and Jerusalem’s fall. Zephaniah would declare to the people that the day of the Lord was near. In this context, this meant the coming judgment through Nebuchadnezzar and the kingdom of Babylon. Even so, the impending struggles of Israel would be overcome later, by the future salvation of the Lord for His people.
Date: Between approximately 635 and 625 BC.