Zechariah(zacharias)
“Yahweh remembers”
Summary
A name borne by over thirty individuals in the Old Testament, most notably the prophet who encouraged the rebuilding of the Second Temple and the king of Israel who was assassinated by Shallum.
☩Zechariah the Prophet
Zechariah the son of Berechiah, grandson of Iddo, was a prophet who returned from Babylonian exile and ministered alongside Haggai. Beginning in the second year of Darius (520 BC), he delivered a series of visions and prophecies encouraging Zerubbabel and Joshua in rebuilding the temple. His prophecies contain remarkable messianic content, including predictions of the Messiah's triumphal entry, betrayal for thirty pieces of silver, and being pierced. The book bearing his name is among the most quoted Old Testament books in the Passion narratives.
☩King Zechariah of Israel
Zechariah was the fourteenth king of Israel and the last of the dynasty of Jehu, reigning only six months before being publicly assassinated by Shallum around 753 BC. His death fulfilled the prophecy that Jehu's descendants would sit on Israel's throne only to the fourth generation. Scripture records that he did evil in the sight of the Lord, following the sins of Jeroboam.
☩Zechariah Son of Jehoiada
This Zechariah was a priest, the son of Jehoiada the high priest who had preserved young Joash and placed him on Judah's throne. When Israel departed into idolatry under King Joash, the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah and he publicly rebuked the king and people. For this faithful testimony, Joash ordered him stoned to death in the court of the temple. Jesus likely referenced this Zechariah when speaking of righteous blood shed from Abel to 'Zechariah son of Barachiah,' making him the last martyr in the Hebrew canon's arrangement.
☩Other Notable Bearers
The name Zechariah was extremely common in Israel. Among the other significant bearers were: a Reubenite chief; several Levites who served as musicians and gatekeepers under David; a Kohathite overseer during Josiah's temple repairs; and the father of John the Baptist, a priest who received the angelic announcement of his son's birth while serving in the temple.
Related Verses55 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zechariah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Zechariah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).