The Remnant in Zephaniah -- By: Greg A. King

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 151:604 (Oct 1994)
Article: The Remnant in Zephaniah
Author: Greg A. King


The Remnant in Zephaniah

Greg A. King

[Greg A. King is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Pacific Union College, Angwin, California.]

The concept of the remnant makes an important contribution to the theology of the prophetic corpus as a whole.1 Though several writers have recognized the significance of this concept for the theology of the prophetic books,2 Zephaniah’s important contribution to the subject of the remnant has often been overlooked.3 Understanding of this concept will remain incomplete as long as this is the case.

The present delineation of Zephaniah’s teaching regarding the remnant is based on exegesis and theological assessment of the six units of Zephaniah in which the remnant concept is present.4 The presence of this concept is usually denoted by remnant terminology, that is, by one or more of several specific terms linked with the idea of the remnant. Two of these terms in Zephaniah are translated “remnant” by many modern-day versions. These two are שְׁאָר, which appears only once in Zephaniah (1:4),

and שְׁרִית, which is used three times (2:7, 9; 3:13). Also יֶתֶר, appearing only in 2:9, and הִשְׁאַרְתִּי in 3:12, should be considered as part of the remnant terminology.5

Of course “the absence of such terminology does not necessarily indicate the absence of the remnant theme.”6 Hasel correctly states that “some passages that lack specific remnant terminology reveal remnant theology through related concepts.”7 When a certain portion or segment of the people of God is being addressed or spoken of in the Book of Zephaniah—a portion that is faithful to Yahweh and either has the possibility of surviving or has survived judgment—then the remnant is in view. Accordingly Zephaniah 2:1–3, which exhorts the humble to seek the Lord with the possible result of being hidden when His wrath is poured out, is part of Zepha...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()