Sefer Tzefanyah (Zephaniah) is the book of the prophecies of Tzefanyah ben Kushi, a navi (prophet), and one of the books of the Neviim Acharonim (the Later Prophets). It is one of the Trei Asar (the Twelve), the twelve short books of the Neviim that, the Gemara says (Bava Batra 14b), are written together as one sefer. The word of Hashem comes to Tzefanyah in the days of King Yoshiyahu son of Amon, king of Yehudah (Judah) (1:1).
Tzefanyah's message is the yom Hashem (the day of Hashem), which is near. Hashem will cut off what is left of the Baal in Yehudah and Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), those who bow to the sun, moon and stars on their rooftops, and those who swear both by Hashem and by an idol. He will search Yerushalayim with lamps for the complacent who say He does neither good nor harm. That day is a day of fury and darkness, and silver and gold will save no one.
The navi calls on the humble to seek Hashem, righteousness and humility, so that they may be sheltered on that day. Prophecies follow against the Pelishtim (Philistines) on the coast and against Moav and Ammon, whose lands will go to the she'erit (remnant) of Yehudah. Kush (Ethiopia) will fall by the sword, and Ashur (Assyria) will be destroyed, with Nineveh (its capital, on the Tigris river) left a desert.
Then Tzefanyah rebukes Yerushalayim, whose officials, judges, neviim (prophets) and kohanim (priests) have failed it. After that the sefer turns to comfort. Hashem will give the nations a clear language so that all of them call on His name together. He will leave in Yisrael a humble remnant that does no wrong, rejoice over Tziyon (Zion) with song, and gather the scattered and bring them home before their eyes.
Sefer Tzefanyah has three perakim.