1:4–6 · Yahweh’s judgment extends first to his own people (Judah) and to Jerusalem, which he has chosen for his dwelling place. Yahweh’s hand is stretched out with the intent to cut off all forms of paganism. The reason for Yahweh’s anger is the lack of responsiveness by his own people. Idolatry is a flagrant breach of the covenant. For Zephaniah, idolatry is any expression that involves other deities, priests of non-Aaronic descent, illegitimate public and private forms of worship, double-mindedness, or apathy toward Yahweh. In Zephaniah’s day idolatry was practiced even in the temple (“this place,” 1:4).

God’s judgment is on the foreign cults that had flourished during the days of Manasseh. Baalism remained even after Hezekiah’s reforms (2 Chron. 33:3). The prediction that Baalism toge…