A historical-critical study of the book of Zephaniah

404 Pages·1991·19.237 MB·English

by  Ehud Ben Zvi

Ehud Ben Ζ vi
A Historical-Critical Study
of the Book of Zephaniah
w
DE
G
Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die
alttestamentliche Wissenschaft
Herausgegeben von
Otto Kaiser
Band 198
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York
1991
Ehud Ben Ζ vi
A Historical-Critical Study
of the Book of Zephaniah
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York
1991
© Printed on acid-free paper which falls
within the guidelines of the ANSI to ensure
permanence and durability.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Ben Ζ vi, Ehud, 1951-
A historical-critical study of the book of Zephaniah / Ehud
Ben Zvi.
p. cm. — (Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestament-
liche Wissenschaft ; 198)
Revision of the author's thesis (Ph. D.) — Emory Univer-
sity, 1990.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-89925-814-X (alk. paper)
I. Bible. O. T. Zephaniah — Commentaries, I. Title,
II. Series.
BS410.Z5 vol. 198
[BS1645.3]
221.6 s —dc20
[224'.9607] 91-24722
CIP
Die Deutsche Bibliothek — Cataloging in Publication Data
Ben Zvi, Ehud:
A historical-critical study of the book of Zephaniah / Ehud Ben
Zvi. - Berlin ; New York : de Gruyter, 1991
(Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft ;
Bd. 198)
Zugl.: Atlanta, Univ., Diss., 1990
ISBN 3-11-012837-3
NE: Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft / Beihefte
ISSN: 0934-2575
© Copyright 1991 by Walter de Gruyter & Co., D-1000 Berlin 30.
All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. No part of this
book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed in Germany
Printing: Werner Hildebrand, Berlin 65
Binding: Lüderitz und Bauer, Berlin 61
To my wife, Perla Mónica

Acknowledgments
This work is a revised version of a Ph.D. dissertation completed at
Emory University in 1990. I wish to express my gratitude to the staff and
the students of the Department of Old Testament at Emory University for
their individual and collective contributions to the existence of the
intellectually challenging and emotionally supportive environment that
nurtured my mind—and my soul—during my years in the graduate
program.
I owe a special debt to a friend who has always been present when
needed; a friend whose sound advice has been a constant assistance for
reaching informed decisions, both on academic and other issues; to my
teacher and advisor, Prof. Gene M. Tucker. I am also especially grateful
to Prof. John H. Hayes for his continuous encouragement, for his
friendship, and for the innumerable stimulating conversations that we have
had in these years, almost any time I walked in his office. My thanks are
also due to Prof. Martin J. Buss for his detailed and helpful comments at
every stage of my writing, to Prof. J. Maxwell Miller and Prof. Hava T.
Rotschild for their thoughtful comments on the penultimate form of this
book, and to Prof. Carol Newsom, Prof. Hendrikus Boers and Prof.
Vernon K. Robbins for their assistance on specific issues.
I wish to express my appreciation to Prof. Dr. Otto Kaiser for accepting
this work for publication in BZAW, and above all, for his contribution to
the study of the Latter Prophets. His work has influenced mine on many
aspects, and for that I am very thankful.
Finally, an honest statement of acknowledgments must reflect the
background against which the study was prepared. My children, Amos,
Naamah and Micha, have had a very important role in shaping this
background. They deserve special thanks for their patience and supportive
viii Acknowledgements
understanding. The central figure of this background is certainly my wife
and best friend, Perla Mónica. Without her loving support and her
sacrifices, this work would have never been written. This book is
dedicated to her.
Edmonton, Alberta, winter 1991 Ehud Ben Zvi
Contents
Acknowledgments VII
1. Introduction 1
1.1. General Issues 1
1.1.1. Concerning the Historical-Critical Methods in Biblical Studies 1
1.1.2. Concerning the Study of the Prophets and Prophecy 8
1.2. Methodological Guidelines 14
1.3. Special Issues in the Book of Zephaniah 17
2. Zephaniah through the age's mirror:
History of the interpretation 21
3. Textual, linguistic and comparative notes 39
3.1 Preliminary remarks 39
3.2 Notes on Zephaniah 1 41
3.2.1. Zeph 1:1 41
3.2.2. Zeph 1:2-3 51
3.2.3. Zeph 1:4 60
3.2.4. Zeph 1:5 72
3.2.5. Zeph 1:6 78
3.2.6. Zeph 1:7 79
3.2.7. Zeph 1:8 88
3.2.8. Zeph 1:9 95
3.2.9. Zeph 1:10-11 103
3.2.10. Zeph 1:12 107
3.2.11. Zeph 1:13 115
χ Contents
3.2.12. Zeph 1:14 116
3.2.13. Zeph 1:15 121
3.2.14. Zeph 1:16 124
3.2.15. Zeph 1:17 127
3.2.16. Zeph 1:18 131
3.3 Notes on Zephaniah 2 137
3.3.1. Zeph 2:1 137
3.3.2. Zeph 2:2 143
3.3.3. Zeph 2:3 144
3.3.4. Zeph 2:4 150
3.3.5. Zeph 2:5 152
3.3.6. Zeph 2:6 156
3.3.7. Zeph 2:7 159
3.3.8. Zeph 2:8 164
3.3.9. Zeph 2:9 167
3.3.10. Zeph 2:10 172
3.3.11. Zeph 2:11 172
3.3.12. Zeph 2:12 176
3.3.13. Zeph 2:13 179
3.3.14. Zeph 2:14 179
3.3.15. Zeph 2:15 183
3.4. Notes on Zephaniah 3 184
3.4.1. Zeph 3:1 184
3.4.2. Zeph 3:2 187
3.4.3. Zeph 3:3-4 190
3.4.4. Zeph 3:5 206
3.4.5. Zeph 3:6 213
3.4.6. Zeph 3:7 214
3.4.7. Zeph 3:8 219
3.4.8. Zeph 3:9 224
3.4.9. Zeph 3:10 227
3.4.10. Zeph 3:11-12 230
3.4.11. Zeph 3:13 234