How to Pronounce Zephaniah

We’ve all struggled to pronounce Bible names and places, especially those pesky Old Testament names! This free audio Bible name pronunciation guide is a valuable tool in your study of God’s word. Click the PLAY button below to hear how to pronounce Zephaniah . There is also a phonetic guide to use to see the proper pronunciation of Zephaniah . For more information about Zephaniah , check out the Easton Bible dictionary entry as well.

Audio Pronunciation of Zephaniah

Phonetic Pronunciation of Zephaniah

zeh-fuh-NAI-uh

How to Say Zephaniah

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Learn more about Zephaniah

Zephaniah, a name which means "Yahweh has hidden" or "Yahweh has treasured," is a significant figure in the Old Testament of the Bible. He was one of the Minor Prophets, and the book that bears his name, the Book of Zephaniah, is the ninth in the twelve minor prophetic books.

Meaning and Significance of Zephaniah

The name Zephaniah reflects divine protection, indicating that God hides or protects His chosen ones during times of judgment or trouble. This protective attribute is evident throughout the prophetic messages Zephaniah delivered to the people of Judah.

Role in Biblical Accounts and References

Zephaniah served as a prophet during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1). His prophecies mainly centered on the impending day of the Lord—a day of wrath and judgment against Judah and the surrounding nations. He described the consequences of the people's sins and called them to repentance, emphasizing the need for humility, seeking God, and righteous living.

Zephaniah's prophecies are extensively detailed in the Book of Zephaniah. He warned of the destruction of Jerusalem but also spoke of future hope when God would restore His people. Significant passages include the prediction of the Day of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:7-18), the call to repentance (Zephaniah 2:1-3), judgments on surrounding nations (Zephaniah 2:4-15), and the promises of restoration and blessing for the remnant of Israel (Zephaniah 3:9-20).

The prophet's messages served as a pivotal catalyst for King Josiah's religious reforms, which aimed at purifying the religious practices in Judah and turning the people's hearts back to God.

Legacy

Zephaniah's prophecies serve as a timeless reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the blessings of seeking Him wholeheartedly. His emphasis on repentance, humility, and righteous living remains relevant to believers today, highlighting the ever-present need to align one's life with God's will and purpose.

Zephaniah in Easton's Bible Dictionary

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 (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" (2 Kings 25:21).
(3.) A Kohathite ancestor of the prophet Samuel (1 Chr. 6:36).
(4.) The father of Josiah, the priest who dwelt in Jerusalem when Darius issued the decree that the temple should be rebuilt (Zech. 6:10).