4. Father of Josiah (Zech. vi:io), and Hen (Zech. vi :i4). (B. C. before 519.) ZEPHANIAH, BOOK OF.
(1) Contents. The hook consists of only three chapters. In the first, the sins of the nation are severely reprimanded, and a day of fearful retri bution is menaced. The circuit of reference is wider in the second chapter, and the ungodly and persecuting states in the neighborhood of Judea are also doomed; but in the third section, while the prophet inveighs bitterly against Jerusalem and her magnates, he concludes with the cheer ing prospect of her ultimate settlement and bliss ful theocratic enjoyment.
(2) Style. We cannot by any means award so low a character to Zephaniah's style as is done by De \Vette (Einleit. sec. 245), who describes it as being often heavy and tedious. It has not the sustained majesty of Isaiah, or the sublime and original energy of Joel; it has no prominent feature of distinction; yet its delineations are graphic, and many of its touches are bold and striking. For example, in the first chapter the prophet groups together in his descriptions of the national idolatry several characteristic exhibitions of its forms and worship. The verses are not tame and prosaic portraiture, but form a series of vivid sketches. The poet seizes on the more
strange peculiarities of the heathen worship—ut tering denunciations on the remnant of Baal, the worshipers of Chemarim—the star-adorers, the devotees of Malcham, the fanatics who clad them selves in strange apparel, and those who in some superstitious mummery leapt upon the threshold (Bochart, Hier. cap. 36). Not a few verses oc cur in the course of the prophecy which, in tone and dignity, are not unworthy to be associated with the more distinguished effusions of the He brew bards.
The language of Zephaniah is pure: it has not the classic ease and elegance of the earlier com positions, but it lacks the degenerate feebleness and Aramaic corruption of the succeeding era. Zephaniah is not expressly quoted in the New Testament; but clauses and expressions occur which seem to have been formed from his prophecy (Zeph. iii :9; Rom. xv :6, etc.). He was, in fine, as Cyril of Alexandria terms him (Pra. fat. in Sop/z. tom iii.), 'a true prophet, and filled with the Holy Ghost, and bringing his oracles from the mouth of God.' (Dr. E. Henderson, On the Twelve Minor Prophets, 1845; Robinson, Homilies, 1865; Intr. to Old Testament, Keil and Havernick.) J. E.