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ZEPHANIAH, APOCALYPSE OF

A Jewish text bearing the pseudonym of the biblical prophet Zephaniah. Typical of the genre apocalypse, it consists of a 1st person report of the seer’s cosmic journeys and visions in the presence of an interpreting angel. Zephaniah sees how angels record the deeds of humankind and he beholds the punishment of wicked souls in Hades. He soon finds himself in Hades, where he undergoes an ordeal before the accusing angel who holds the manuscript of his sins. After praying for God’s mercy, Zephaniah is declared triumphant by the good angel Eremiel, who possesses the manuscript of his righteous needs. Zephaniah then witnesses a series of angelic trumpet blasts and learns that the righteous patriarchs intercede for those in torment that sinners might repent and receive mercy before the final day of God’s coming wrath.

Only about one fourth of the text has been preserved in two Coptic manuscripts and a Greek citation by Clement of Alexandria. It was probably composed in Greek in Egypt sometime between 100 b.c. and a.d. 175.

Bibliography. O. S. Wintermute, “Apocalypse of Zephaniah,” OTP 1:497-515.

Randal A. Argall

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

ZEPHANIAH, APOCALYPSE OF

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)