Zephaniah

American  

[zef-uh-nahy-uh] / ˌzɛf əˈnaɪ ə /

noun

1. a Minor Prophet of the 7th century b.c.

2. a book of the Bible bearing his name. Zeph., Zp.

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Zephaniah British  

/ ˌzɛfəˈnaɪə /

noun

1. Douay spelling: Sophonias.  Old Testament

   1. a Hebrew prophet of the late 7th century _bc

   2. the book containing his oracles, which are chiefly concerned with the approaching judgment by God upon the sinners of Judah

2. Benjamin . born 1958, British poet, writer, and activist, born in Jamaica. His poetry collections include The Dread Affair (1985) and Too Black, Too Strong (2001)

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Etymology

Origin of Zephaniah

From Hebrew Ṣəphanyāh “God has hidden”

Example Sentences

The late poet Benjamin Zephaniah rejected an OBE in 2003 because of the association with the British Empire and its history of slavery.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2025

The city council has now approved proposals to posthumously confer upon Zephaniah the City of Birmingham Medal, in a move to celebrate his achievements.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

Mr Naphtali said up to his death Zephaniah remained committed to doing everything he could to promote the city "on a national and international stage".

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2025

Birmingham music legends Black Sabbath and trailblazing poet Benjamin Zephaniah are being considered for city honours.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2025

On the village green, every prophet from Isaiah to Malachi might be seen of an evening playing leap-frog: unless, indeed, Zephaniah was stealing apples in the garth.

From Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature by Bardsley, Charles W.