Rabbi Natasha Mann

This piece first appeared in Rabbi Natasha's commentary on the 929 Tanakh Project here . There is much debate amongst readers and scholars of Zephaniah about whether or not he is described as being an Ethiopian (‘Cushi’, or Cushite). Zephaniah is introduced with more ancestral information than is usual amongst his peers (Zeph. 1:1): ‘The word of the Eternal that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi son of Gedaliah son of Amariah son of Hezekiah, during the reign of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah.’ It is possible to read this as describing four generations of Zephaniah’s background (his father being named Cushi, and his great-great-grandfather being Hezekiah). Though it does read this way, ‘Cushi’ (Ethiopean) would be an unusual name for an Israelite man. This is why some claim that ‘ben Cushi’ is a description of Zephaniah’s African ancestry, perhaps by way of direct description (meaning: Zephaniah - who was descended from the Cushites - son of Gedaliah), or perhaps as an explanation...

Background of Zephaniah Time:  Late 7 th Century BCE             Last of the pre-exile prophets (though sometimes dated later) Place: Southern Kingdom             There is no more Northern Kingdom Kings: King Josiah (South) Political Backdrop: ·        Josiah is the last great king of Judah – removes idols: ‘Josiah’s Reform’ (622BCE) o    Zephaniah seems very critical of Jerusalem, which is strange because Josiah reigned over one of the better eras! Some suggest that the book was written pre-reform ·        Assyrian Empire starting to fall apart; Neo-Babylonian Empire hasn’t yet risen to take its place. Zephaniah seems to be describing Babylon, but doesn’t name them. Primary Themes of Zephaniah: ·        Catastrophe -> Restorati...