Book of Zephaniah

Zephaniah, Book of, Old Testament book written c.640–630 B.C. during the reign of Josiah (638–608 B.C.) and after the Scythian invasion of Palestine. The dominant themes of the book are condemnation of the Judeans for adopting foreign idols and customs, and a catastrophic day of judgement, the “day of the Lord,” when only the few faithful will be saved. This element evolved into the popular notion of the judgement day prominent in Biblical prophecy.

See also: Bible; Old Testament.