Editing Book of Zephaniah (section)

== Purpose ==
If Zephaniah was largely composed during the monarchic period, then its composition was occasioned by Judah's refusal to obey its [[Covenant (biblical)|covenant]] obligations toward Yahweh despite having seen [[Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)|northern Israel's]] [[Assyrian captivity|exile]] a generation or two previously,{{sfn|Grudem et al.|2008|p=1729}} an exile which the Judahite literary tradition attributed to Yahweh's anger aroused by Israel's disobedience to the covenant.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Kings|17:5-18|NRSV}}</ref>{{sfn|Berlin et al.|2004|pp=758-759}} In this historical context, Zephaniah urges Judah to obedience to Yahweh, saying that "perhaps"<ref>{{bibleverse|Zephaniah|2:3}} in a variety of English translations</ref> he will forgive them if they do.{{sfn|Grudem et al.|2008|p=1729}}