Zephaniah

Zephaniah (meaning the LORD has hidden or the LORD is my treasure) was the ninth of the twelve minor prophets, son of Cushi and great-great-grandson of Hezekiah. He prophesied during the reign of Josiah (640–609 BC), making him a contemporary of Jeremiah and likely contributing to the spiritual atmosphere that led to Josiah's reforms after the discovery of the Law book (621 BC). His genealogy's unusual depth (four generations back to Hezekiah) has led many to identify him as a descendant of the royal house.

The book of Zephaniah opens with one of the most sweeping declarations of universal judgment in all prophecy: I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth (Zephaniah 1:2–3). The heart of the book is the theme of the Day of the LORD — a day of wrath, distress, ruin, devastation, darkness, and gloom (1:14–18) that became the basis of the medieval Dies irae hymn. Yet the book closes with a tender vision of the restored remnant and the LORD himself dwelling in their midst, rejoicing over his people with singing (3:14–17).