Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study Table of Contents

About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 


Timeline of the Bible

God creates the world. --- God destroys the world with the flood, but saves  Noah and his family.---
 God chooses Abraham and his descendants to His people. ---Abraham's grandson, Jacob, has 12 sons who lead the 12 tribes of Israel.--- The Israelites become slaves in Egypt.--- God helps the Israelites escape and leads them to Canaan. ---The Israelites fight in wars and take control of Canaan.---Judges lead the Israelites, but the Israelites want to have kings instead of judges. --- David is Israel's greatest king.--- Israel divides into 2 parts: Israel and Judah.This book of the Bible happens during this time--- The people of Israel and Judah continue to sin and worship false gods.--- God allows the Assyrians and the Babylonians to take the Israelites out of Israel and Judah.---   The Israelites (Jews) live in Babylonia and then Persia. --- When Persia defeats the Babylonians, the Jews go back to Judah.--- The Jews build God's Temple in Jerusalem again.--- Greece defeats Persia, and the Greeks control Judah (also now called Israel).--- The Jews become independent for 100 years.-- The Romans take control of Israel.--- Jesus is born. At age 30, Jesus begins his ministry. ---Jesus is crucified and then is resurrected. --- A Roman named Saul is converted to Christianity and becomes Paul.--- Christianity spreads. --- Paul write letters to Christians in other places. In the year, 70 A.D., God's Temple in Jerusalem is destroyed again.


Major prophets (long books) and minor prophets (short books)

The prophets told people what God wanted them to know.  The prophets' books started in the time soon after Solomon died and went until the time that the Jews returned from Persia.

Prophet Time in History
Obadiah The time that Israel was divided into northern Israel and  southern Judah
Joel
Jonah Around the time that the northern kingdom was captured by the Assyrians
Amos
Hosea
Isaiah
Micah
Nahum Around the time that the southern kingdom was captured by the Babylonians
Zephaniah
Habakkuk
Jeremiah-
Daniel
Ezekiel
Haggai In the time after the Jewish people returned to Israel.
Zechariah
Malachi




 

 

The Book of  Zephaniah   

Zephaniah was a prophet who lived in the time of King Josiah. He was the great-great grandson of King Hezekiah. He made prophecies about the southern part of Israel especially the city of Jerusalem.
 


Zephaniah gives a prophesy about Judah and Jerusalem.
Zephaniah warns the people to obey God.
Zephaniah says that the Lord will save Jerusalem.
 





Summary of the Book of Zephaniah by the Bible Project





Zephaniah 1


Zephaniah gives a prophesy about Judah.

This is what the Lord said to Zephaniah. Zephaniah's father's name was Cushi. His grandfather was Gedaliah. His great-grandfather was Amariah. His great-great-grandfather was Hizkiah. Zehpaniah heard the Lord when Josiah was the king of Judah (Josiah's father was Amon).

[1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.


The Lord said, "I will totally destroy everything off the land. I will destroy men and animals. I will destroy the birds in the air and the fish in the sea.  I will cause wicked people to have trouble.  I will cut man off the land.

[2] I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
[3] I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

I will stretch My hand out on Judah and everyone who lives in Jerusalem. I will cut off everyone who worshiped the false god, Baal. I will wipe out the false god priests.

[4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;


I will wipe out the people that worship stars and swear with the Lord's name. I will wipe out people who worship other false gods.

[5] And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;


I will destroy people who worshiped God, then turned away.  I will destroy people who have not worshiped God or asked about Him.

[6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.


The day of the Lord will come.

Don't say anything in God's presence.  The Lord's day is here. God has prepared a sacrifice.  He has greeted His guests.
[7] Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

On the day of the Lord's sacrifices, I will punish the royalty and the king's children. I will punish everyone who wears clothing of false gods.

[8] And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

On the same day, I will also punish all of the servants who fill their masters' homes with violence and lies.

[9] In the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.


 
Zephaniah talks about some of the gates in Jerusalem.  Some of the gates don't exist anymore, but here is a video that explains about the current gates around the city.
In that day, people at the fish gate and the second gate will cry loudly.   There will be loud crashing up in the hills.

[10] And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.


You people who live in Maktesh should cry loudly. Cry because the stores and people who sell things are destroyed.
[11] Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

When that happens, I will look through Jerusalem with candles. I will punish the men who sit around and say that I don't do anything or don't punish anyone.

[12] And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.


Things they own will be stolen by the enemy. Their houses will be destroyed.  They will build new houses, but they won't live in them.  They will plant vineyards of grapes, but won't drink the wine.
[13] Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

The great day of the Lord is near. It is coming fast. Even strong soldiers will cry bitterly.

[14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.


That will be a day of anger, trouble, and destroying. It will be dark and gloomy with thick clouds.

[15] That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,


On that day, there will be trumpets and alarms against the fenced cities and high towers.

[16] A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.


I will bring trouble to men. They will walk like blind men because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will pour out like dust. Their flesh will rot like excrement.

[17] And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.

Not even their silver and gold will save them from the Lord's anger on that day. The whole land will be destroyed by fire caused by Him because the people worshiped false gods. He will quickly get rid of everyone who lives in the land.

[18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.



Zephaniah 2


Zephaniah warns the people to obey God.

All you people should meet together. You should meet before the Lord God sends His strong anger against you.

[1] Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;
[2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD's anger come upon you.


You people who are meek (quiet) should look for the Lord. Try to behave right and be quiet. God's anger may not come to you.

[3] Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger.


Zephaniah gives prophesy about the areas of Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ekron.

The area of Gaza will be empty. The city of Ashkelon will be destroyed. You will make all of the people in Ashdod leave. The area of Ekron will be dug up.

[4] For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.


The people who live on the coast of the sea will have much trouble. God's word is against you. Canaan is the land of the Philistines. God says he will destroy Canaan so there are no people left there.
[5] Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant.


Your land by the sea will change. It will be home for sheep and shepherds.

[6] And the sea coast shall be dwellings and cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks.

There will be some people left from the tribe of Judah. They will live in the area of Ashkelon. The Lord God will help them, and they won't be taken away.

[7] And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.




Zephaniah gives prophesy against the areas of Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia, and Nineveh.


God said, "I have heard what the people of Moab and Ammon said. They have insulted My people. They have made themselves look big and important.

[8] I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves against their border.


I promise this: Moab will end up like Sodom, and Ammon will end up like Gomorrah. Their land will have weeds and salt pits. Nothing will grow there.  My people will get their stuff and will take their land.

[9] Therefore as I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them.


This will be how they are paid back for insulting My people."

[10] This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the LORD of hosts.

The Lord God will punish Moab and Ammon. He will destroy the false god. Everyone including the people who don't believe will start to worship Him.
[11] The LORD will be terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and men shall worship him, every one from his place, even all the isles of the heathen.


The Lord God will also kill the Ethiopians with swords.

[12] Ye Ethiopians also, ye shall be slain by my sword.


He will destroy Assyria. He will destroy Nineveh. It will be empty and dry like a wilderness.

[13] And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like a wilderness.

Animals and birds will live in the destroyed buildings. Everything will be bare.

[14] And flocks shall lie down in the midst of her, all the beasts of the nations: both the cormorant and the bittern shall lodge in the upper lintels of it; their voice shall sing in the windows; desolation shall be in the thresholds: for he shall uncover the cedar work.

This is how it ends up for the city that used to brag. They used to say how great they were and that they were better than everyone else.  Now they are destroyed, and animals live there.  Everyone who walks past will make ugly remarks.

[15] This is the rejoicing city that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am, and there is none beside me: how is she become a desolation, a place for beasts to lie down in! every one that passeth by her shall hiss, and wag his hand.


Zephaniah 3

Prophesy about Jerusalem

Jerusalem is dirty and polluted. It will have big trouble.

[1] Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city!

Jerusalem did not obey God. She did not trust God or ask Him for help.

[2] She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.


Her leaders are like roaring lions. Her judges are like wolves at night. They attack in the morning.

[3] Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.


Her prophets are not honest. Her priests have made the temple dirty. They have not followed God's law.

[4] Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.


The Lord is there in Jerusalem.  He is always fair.  Every morning, He brings His judgment. He does not fail. The evil people aren't ashamed of their sins.

[5] The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.


The Lord said, "I have cut off other nations. Their towers are destroyed. I made their streets empty. Their cities are destroyed, and no one lives in them.

[6] I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant.


I said to them, 'Surely you will respect Me and will listen to what I tell you to do. Then, your homes will be saved.'  But they didn't listen and continued to do bad things.

[7] I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings.


So, wait for the day that I punish you with My anger. I will bring other nations here to destroy you with fire.
[8] Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

I will make the languages pure so that they can call on My name and serve Me.

[9] For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

The people who worship Me will come from far away, even from the area past the rivers of Ethiopia.

[10] From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

When that day comes, you won't be so proud.  You have sinned against Me. But, then I will take you away from My true believers.

[11] In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

I won't destroy any of your people who trust Me. I will save the Israelites who do not sin or lie. They will be calm and will not be afraid.

[12] I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
[13] The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.




The Lord will save Jerusalem.


Sing, Daughter of Zion  Shout, Israel.  Be happy with all your hearts, Daughter of Jerusalem.

[14] Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.


The Lord has stopped His punishments.  He has sent away your enemies, king of Israel. The Lord is in the middle of you. You will not see evil any more.

[15] The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.


On that day, Jerusalem will hear, "Don't be afraid." Zion will hear, "Don't sit and do nothing."

[16] In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.


The Lord your God is with you.  He is mighty and strong.  He will save you.   He will be happy and joyful with you.  He will rest in His love. He will sing and be joyful because of you.

[17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.


I will bring together the sad people who were punished.
[18] I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.


At that time, I will take away the things that trouble you.  I will save her that has trouble walking.  I will save her that was sent away. I will get them praise and fame in all the places where they were put down.

[19] Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

At that time, I will bring your back to your home.  I will make you famous. All the people of the earth will praise you.  Your captivity will be over.

[20] At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.