It is quite possible that Zephaniah singles out the officials and the judges because of the widespread perception that the people could trust in them…. The officials and rulers, even the prophets and priests (
Zephaniah 3:4) participated in all that was wrong with the nation. Instead of giving leadership to the people in righteous living, the leaders led in the rebellion against God!
1 Instead of serving as shepherds who lead and feed their sheep, these leaders had become like roaring lions
and evening wolves,
ravenous to those under their care (see also Ezekiel 22:25, Ezekiel 22:27; Micah 3:1–3).
3 Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning.