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

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

Trailblazing poet and Peaky Blinders actor Benjamin Zephaniah, who was born in Handsworth, is also being considered for the honour.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2025

Zephaniah was also an actor and appeared in the BBC drama series Peaky Blinders, set in Birmingham, between 2013 and 2022.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2025

They quoted postcolonial theorist Frantz Fanon, Black liberation activist Marcus Garvey, the late poet Benjamin Zephaniah, and comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who has frequently joked that his mum calls him a coconut for not speaking Tamil.

From BBC • Sep. 14, 2024

I've heern say," Zephaniah remarked, "that deeds gi'n in that way won't stand good in law.

From The Chainbearer Or, The Littlepage Manuscripts by Cooper, James Fenimore