AN INTERPRETATION OF ZEPHANIAH 2:11 WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PHRASE ʾîš mimqômô

  • J Du Preez University of Stellenbosch
Keywords: Serve Yahweh, W Stählin, ‘in seiner schöpfungsmässingen Art’, Zephaniah 2, 11, Salvation, Prophecy of divine judgement

Abstract

Lingualistically and prophetically this expression can be interpreted in two ways: it could be understood in the sense that each nation will serve Yahweh in its own territory, or otherwise, that each nation will leave its own territory to go and serve Yahweh in Jerusalem. For several reasons the author opts for the first.On the question put by German scholar W Stählin, as to whether the expression might possibly indicate that each nation would worship God according to its own natural identity (‘in seiner schöpfungsmässingen Art’), the author maintains that the scope of the expression lies elsewhere.Zephaniah 2:11, in its accentuation of the fact that the nations will serve Yahweh wherever they may be, is a profound message of salvation within a prophecy of divine judgement.

Author Biography

J Du Preez, University of Stellenbosch
Faculty of Theology
Published
2020-10-21
Section
Articles