12예언서 내 스바냐의 정경적 위치와 그 함의

Abstract

This paper pursues to show the implications of the canonical location of Zephaniah in the book of the Twelve. Among the three 7th century prophetic writings, it should be chronically ordered as Zephaniah (622), Nahum (612), and Habakkuk (605). However, it is in the ordered of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah. It is necessary to ask why these three books are placed in the present order. To search for the reasons behind it, the author takes the methodology called canonical criticism and intertextual approach. It accords with recent scholarship which focuses on the interpretation of the twelve prophetic writings as a single historical, literary, and theological book from the 8th century in the Assyrian period to the 5th century in the Persian period.BR Zephaniah is placed as the 9th book preceded by Habakkuk and followed by Haggai. Between Zephaniah and Haggai, there are historical events of destruction of Jerusalem and Judah (587), exile to the Babylon (587-539), and return to homeland (539-520). Though Babylon is not mentioned in Zephaniah, there are lots of allusions to imminent destruction of Judah and exile to the Babylon. It is probable that the reason why Zephaniah comes after Nahum and Habakkuk is that the book has many occurrences concerning ‘the day of YHWH’s wrath’ which denotes destruction and forced deportation by the enemy in ancient Near Eastern literature as well as in the Bible. In addition, the word šbh referring to exile also occurs twice in the book of Zephaniah. Some messages in the book of Zephaniah are set for lessons in the exilic period in order to be hidden by God. First, seek YHWH, justice and righteousness, and humility (2:1-3). Second, wait for me until the day I rise up to the prey (3:8). Third, God made the promise to leave the oppressed and the poor as remnants (3:12). Zephaniah also declares oracles against nations (2:4-15) which play an important role in the 7th century prophetic writings. The book of Nahum declares the fall of Assyria. The book of Habakkuk anticipates the rise of Babylon as another empire. Zephaniah does not mention Babylon as the enemy of Judah, but accepts the disaster by the enemy as God’s plan, and believes that Babylon will not avoid the fate of Assyria as well.BR It also should be noteworthy to consider theology of post exilic canonical community responsible for the book of the twelve as a canon. It is clear that the post-exilic canonical community have accepted messages of the book of Zephaniah as God’s words for the community. It is believed that they were still in the exile because the Persian empire still controlled the land of Yehud.