Re-thinking the Day of YHWH and Restoration of Fortunes in the Prophet Zephaniah: An Exegetical and Theological Study of 1:14-18; 3:14-20

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Table of Contents Acknowledgments 11 Foreword 15 Abbreviations 19 General Introduction 23 A. Preamble 23 B. Status Quaestionis and Motivations 24 C. Purpose of this Study 27 D. Key Working Definitions and Limitations of this Study 28 1. Defining OT and Prophetic Eschatology 29 2. The Limitations of this Study 37 E. Contributions and Originality 39 F. Method and Methodology 39 Chapter One - A Survey of the History of Research on the Day of YHWH and General Background of Zephaniah 43 1.1 Day of YHWH Studies and Multiple Schools of thought 43 1.1.1 Studies on the Day of YHWH before 1950 44 1.1.2 Studies on the Day of YHWH in the 1950s and 1960s 56 1.1.3 Studies on the Day of YHWH in the 1970s and 1980s 72 1.1.4 Studies on the Day of YHWH in the 1990s to Date 77 1.2 Background of Zephaniah and Studies on his Day of YHWH 80 1.2.1 Person, Style and Historical Origin of Zephaniah 81 1.2.2 The Timing and the Socio-Historical Setting 88 1.2.3 Josiah’s Reforms in Retrospect 94 1.2.4 Marvin A. Sweeney’s Studies on Zephaniah 98 1.2.5 Other Specific Studies on Zephaniah’s Day of YHWH 99 1.3 A Summary Reflection on Chapter One 107 Chapter Two - A Study of the Day of YHWH in the Prophet Zephaniah 109 2.1 An Overview of Zephaniah’s Message of the Day of YHWH 109 2.2 The Literary Structure of the Text of Zephaniah 111 2.3 The Place of Zephaniah 1:14–18 and 3:14–20 in the Book of Zephaniah overall (Zeph 1–3) 116 2.4 An Exegetical Study of Zephaniah 1:14–18 118 2.4.1 Text of Zephaniah 1:14–18 119 2.4.2 Translation and Textual Criticism of Zephaniah 1:14–18 121 2.4.3 Literary Structure and the Delimitation of Zephaniah 1:14–18 125 2.4.4 An Exegetical Analysis of Zephaniah 1:14–18 127 2.4.4.1 Near is the Day of the Lord(, v 14) 128 2.4.4.2 Further Characterization of Day of YHWH (vv15–16) 130 2.4.4.2.1 Day of Wrath(, v 15a) 131 2.4.4.2.2 Day of Distress and Tribulation(, v 15b) 132 2.4.4.2.3 Day of Ruin and Devastation(, 15c) 133 2.4.4.2.4 Day of Darkness and Gloom(, v 15d) 134 2.4.4.2.5 Day of Cloud and Black Cloud(, v 15e) 135 2.4.4.3 Day of Trumpet Blast and War Cry(, v 16) 136 2.4.4.3.1 Fortified Cities and Towers(,v 16bc) 137 2.4.4.4 Distress to the People (, v 17) 140 2.4.4.5 Additional Consequences of (v 18)144 2.4.4.5.1 Worthlessness of (v 18a) 144 2.4.4.5.2 Day of YHWH’s Wrath (, v 18b) 146 2.4.4.5.3 Universal Consumption(,v 18c–f) 146 2.5 A Summary Reflection on Chapter Two 148 Chapter Three - The Restoration of Fortunes and the Joy of Salvation in Zephaniah 3:14–20 151 3.1 An Exegetical Study of Zephaniah 3:14–20 152 3.1.1 Translation and Textual Critical Study of Zephaniah 3:14–20 153 3.1.2 Literary Structure and Delimitation of Zephaniah 3:14–20 161 3.1.3 An Exegesis of Zephaniah 3:14–20 165 3.1.3.1 Zion is Called to Praise YHWH (, v 14) 166 3.1.3.2 Annulment of Judgment and Causefor Joy (, v 15) 172 3.1.3.3 No more Fear O Zion (, v 16) 176 3.1.3.4 A Reassurances of the Savior/Warrior (, v 17) 179 3.1.3.5 YHWH Gathers Away the Woes(, v 18) 181 3.1.3.6 YHWH Puts to an End the Oppressors(, v 19) 183 3.1.3.7 YHWH Restores the Fortunes(, v 20) 186 3.2 A Summary Reflection on Chapter Three 194 Chapter Four- A Study of the Day of YHWH Traditions in the Old Testament and in the Prophetic Traditions of the Minor Prophets other than Zephaniah 197 4.1 Antecedent Scriptural Motifs in the Old Testament 197 4.2 The Day of YHWH Tradition in the Prophet Amos 198 4.3 The Day of YHWH Tradition in the Prophet Hosea 209 4.4 The Day of YHWH Tradition in the Prophet Micah 214 4.5 The Day of YHWH Tradition in the Prophet Joel 218 4.6 The Day of YHWH Traditions in the Prophets Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum and Habakkuk 220 4.7 The Day of YHWH Traditions in the Prophets Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi 226 4.8 The Day of YHWH in the Twelve: A Synthesis of Scholarly Opinions 230 4.9 A Summary Reflection on Chapter Four 232 Chapter Five - The Day of YHWH in Zephaniah and in Other Traditions: A Comparative Synthesis and Theological Values of 1:14–18 and 3:14–20 235 5.1 The Relationship of Zephaniah 1:14–18 and 3:14–20 with Dodekapropheton 236 5.2 The Relationship of Zephaniah 1:14–18 and 3:14–20 with Other Prophetic Books 244 5.3 The Relationship of Zephaniah 1:14–18 and 3:14–20 with Deuteronomistic History 255 5.4 Zephaniah 1:14–18; 3:14–20 and Psalm 126 261 5.5 Zephaniah 1:14–18; 3:14–20 and Amos 5:18–20: A Synthesis 266 5.6 A Summary Reflection on Chapter Five 270 Chapter Six - The Theologial Values of Zephaniah 1:14–18 and 3:14–20: An Ecumenical-interreligious and Cultural Proposal 273 6.1 The Theology of Zephaniah 1:14–18 and 3:14–20 in Retrospect: Its Values 275 6.2 Zephaniah: Common Elements with Other Religious Communities Today 279 6.3 Theological Values of Zephaniah for the New Testament/the Church 280 6.4 Zephaniah: ATR/Culture and Islam 287 6.5 Zephaniah’s Relevance for Our Times and Cultures Today 290 6.6 A Summary Reflection on Chapter Six 295 General Conclusion 297 Bibliography 309 Index of Authors 325 Index of Subjects 329