Zep 1:4-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Zeph 1:4-6: 1:4-6 Having pronounced judgment on the whole earth (1:2-3 ), Zephaniah now focuses attention on his own people, Judah and Jerusalem . 1:4 When Zephaniah made this prophecy, before Josiah’s reforms in 622 BC , idolatrous priests rampantly promoted Baal worship and other forms of paganism (2 Kgs 23:5 ).

Summary for Zeph 1:4-6: 1:4-6 ^a Having pronounced judgment on the whole earth (1:2-3 ^b), Zephaniah now focuses attention on his own people, Judah and Jerusalem. 1:4 ^c When Zephaniah made this prophecy, before Josiah’s reforms in 622 BC, idolatrous priests rampantly promoted Baal worship and other forms of paganism (2 Kgs 23:5 ^d).
1:5 ^e Scripture denounced the practice of worshiping heavenly bodies such as the sun, moon, and stars (see Deut 4:15-19 ^f; 2 Kgs 21:3 ^g; 23:12 ^h).

• Molech might refer to the Canaanite god Baal, the Ammonite god Milcom, or the pagan deity Molech. Although the law explicitly prohibited Molech worship (Lev 20:1-5 ⁱ), it remained a constant temptation to Israel (2 Kgs 16:3 ^j; 21:6 ^k).
Summary for Zeph 1:7-18: 1:7-18 ^l The entire passage must be seen as one vast event. Some aspects would be fulfilled at Jerusalem’s fall in 586 BC; others would be repeated in various historical epochs (such as the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70) until the whole prophecy is fulfilled at the end of time when God acts fully and finally to judge the world and renew creation (Rev 19:11–22:5 ^m). 1:7 ⁿ has prepared his people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners: Foreigners will slaughter the wicked among the Lord’s people.
1:8 ^o The leaders and princes of Judah were the tribal chieftains of Israel (Num 1:4 ^p), court officials (1 Chr 22:17 ^q), district supervisors (1 Kgs 20:14-15 ^r), city officials (Judg 8:6 ^s), military leaders (1 Kgs 2:5 ^t; 2 Kgs 1:9-14 ^u; 25:23 ^v, 26 ^w), or even religious leaders (Ezra 8:24 ^x). Their influential role put them in a position of heightened responsibility before God (cp. Jas 3:1 ^y).
1:9 ^z those who participate in pagan worship ceremonies (literally those who leap over the threshold): The people of Judah perpetuated the pagan custom of leaping over the threshold of a temple to avoid contact with it, in deference to that pagan god (see 1 Sam 5:1-5 ^aa).
1:10 ^ab The Fish Gate was in the northern section of Jerusalem (Neh 12:39 ^ac).
1:13 ^ad God would send an invading force to plunder Jerusalem. The destruction would come so quickly that those with ill-gotten gain would not survive to enjoy their wealth.