Zephaniah
Zephaniah was one of the men in whose crown was to be placed in the temple as a memorial (Zec.6.10,14).
Biography
This Zephaniah, whose son was Josiah, lived during the era of the Exile and Return. He is mentioned in Zechariah 6:10 and 6:14 in connection with a symbolic prophetic act: the prophet Zechariah was commanded to take silver and gold from returning exiles, Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, and to fashion a crown to be placed on the head of Joshua the high priest. The crown was then to be placed in the temple as a memorial, and Zechariah 6:14 identifies it as belonging in part to the memory of 'Hen son of Zephaniah' (or, in some manuscripts, 'Josiah son of Zephaniah'). His household thus became a landmark in the post-exilic prophetic vision of restoration.
Significance
The Zephaniah of Zechariah 6 occupies a quiet but meaningful role in the messianic symbolism of the post-exilic restoration. The crowning of Joshua the high priest, enacted in part with materials from Zephaniah's household, prefigures the union of priestly and royal offices in the coming Branch (Zechariah 6:12-13), a figure widely understood as messianic. The memorial crown placed in the temple gave Zephaniah's family name a permanent association with this forward-looking prophetic act. Even minor figures who provide the material and setting for significant spiritual events participate in the unfolding of God's redemptive story. His household became, in a small way, a sign of the coming King-Priest.
Verse Appearances (2)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]