Synopses & Reviews
Zephaniah, one Israel's twelve Minor Prophets, was probably active during the latter decades of the reign of Josiah in the seventh century B.C.E. His message, reminiscent of Israel's earlier prophets Amos and Isaiah and Micah, called for urgent repentance and humility and announced the hope and judgment of the Day of the Lord. Marvin Sweeney's Hermeneia commentary locates the prophet's message in relation to Josiah's reform and the discovery of "the book of the law" (possibly including some of Deuteronomy) and the tradition of Hebrew prophecy.
Synopsis
The Book of Zephaniah poses a full range of interpretive and hermenutical issues for the modern reader. Sweeney's keen reading of this small, prophetic book opens new doors for Hebrew Bible research. He situates the reading of Zephaniah in the early sixth century b.c.e. rather than the late seventh century b.c.e.
Sweeney's interpretation pays close attention to the often subtle differences between the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, Peshitta, and targums. His methodology includes form criticism, tradition history, and social history.
Key Features:
Critical and historical commentary on this prophetic book of the Hebrew Bible
Strong text-critical analysis
Locates book in Israel's history and Ancient Near Eastern context
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-213) and index.