Zechariah - zek-a-rīŽa

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

 
 (זכריהוּ, zekharyāhū, or זכריה, zekharyāh; the Septuagint Ζαχαρία(ς), Zacharía(s)): A very common name in the Old Testament. The form, especially the longer form, of the name would suggest for its meaning, “Yah remembers” or “Yah is renowned,” and the name was doubtless understood in this sense in later times. But the analogies with ZACCUR, ZECHER, ZICHRI (which see), etc., make some original ethnic derivation probable.

(1) King of Israel, son of Jeroboam II (the King James Version “Zachariah”). See the next article.

(2) The grandfather of King Hezekiah, through Hezekiah's mother Abi (2Ki_18:2, the King James Version “Zachariah” parallel 2Ch_29:1).

(3) A contemporary of Isaiah, taken by Isaiah as a trustworthy witness in the matter of the sign Maher-shalal-hash-baz (Isa_8:1). As his father's name was Jeberechiah, some support seems to be offered to theories of those who would make him the author of certain portions of Zechariah. See ZECHARIAH, BOOK OF.

(4) A Reubenite of the time of Israel's captivity (1Ch_5:7).

(5) A Benjamite, living in Gideon (1Ch_9:37; called “Zecher” in 1Ch_8:31). He was the brother of Kish and hence, the uncle of Saul.

(6) A Manassite of Gilead, at the time of David (1Ch_27:21).

(7) The third son of Jehoshaphat (2Ch_21:2). He was slain by Jehoram (2Ch_21:4).

(8) A “prince” who Jehoshaphat sent to “teach” in the cities of Judah (2Ch_17:7). As this “teaching” was in connection with the establishing of the Law, Zechariah was primarily a judge.

(9) A prophet who was influential in the early days of Uzziah (2Ch_26:5). He is characterized as ha-mēbh īn bire'ōth (beyir'ath(?)) hā-'ĕlōhīm, which phrase is usually understood to mean that he had instructed (Revised Version margin) the king in the fear of God. As long as he lived the king profited by his instruction and advice.

The following eight are all Levites:

(10) A doorkeeper at the time of David, who was made a singer “of the second degree” (1Ch_15:18; the text is confused). He was a player on a “psaltery” (1Ch_15:20) and took part in the thanksgiving when the Ark was brought to Jerusalem (1Ch_16:5).

(11) A son of Isshiah (1Ch_24:25).

(12) A son of Meshelemiah, a “porter of the door of the tent of meeting” at the time of David (1Ch_9:21; 1Ch_26:2, 1Ch_26:14). In 1Ch_26:14 called “a discreet counselor.”

(13) A son of Hosah, a Merarite, also at David's time (1Ch_26:11).

(14) The father of the prophet, JAHAZIEL (which see) (2Ch_20:14).

(15) A son of Asaph, who assisted in the purification of the Temple at the time of Hezekiah (2Ch_29:13).

(16) A Kohathite, who assisted in the repair of the Temple at the time of Josiah (2Ch_34:12).

(17) A son of Jonathan, an Asaphite, one of the musicians at the dedication of the wall at the time of Nehemiah (Neh_12:35).

The following are all priests:

(18) A trumpeter at the time of David (1Ch_15:24).

(19) A son of Jehoiada, at the time of Joash. He rebuked the people publicly for their apostasy, and was stoned by them, Joash consenting to their act (2Ch_24:20-22). As 2 Chronicles is the last book in the Hebrew Old Testament, Zechariah was regarded as the last of the Old Testament martyrs, and hence, is coupled with Abel (the first martyr) in Mat_23:35 parallel Luk_11:51. The words “son of Barachiah” in Matthew are due to confusing this Zechariah with the prophet. See ZACHARIAH.

(20) One of the “rulers of the house of God” at the time of Josiah (2Ch_35:8).

(21) A son of Pashhur, 242 of whose descendants as “chiefs of fathers' houses” dwelt in Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah (Neh_11:13).

(22) A trumpeter at the dedication of the wall at the time of Nehemiah (Neh_12:41).

(23) The prophet (Ezr_5:1; Ezr_6:14; Neh_12:16; Zec_1:1, Zec_1:7; Zec_7:1, Zec_7:8; 1 Esdras 6:1; 7:3). See ZECHARIAH, BOOK OF.

The following are all returned exiles or are mentioned only as ancestors of such:

(24) A son of Parosh (Ezr_8:3; 1 Esdras 8:30 has “Zacharias” here and elsewhere).

(25) A son of Bebai (Ezr_8:11; 1 Esdras 8:37)

(26) One of the “chief men” dispatched by Ezra to bring priests from Casiphia (Ezr_8:16; 1 Esdras 8:44). Doubtless the same as (24) or (25), above.

(27) One of the persons who stood by Ezra at the reading of the Law (Neh_8:4; 1 Esdras 9:44); almost certainly identical with (26).

(28) A son of Elam, who had taken a foreign wife (Ezr_10:26; 1 Esdras 9:27).

(29) A son of Amariah, a Judahite, the ancestor of certain persons dwelling in Jerusalem (Neh_11:4).

(30) A son of “the Shilonite,” the ancestor of certain persons dwelling in Jerusalem (Neh_11:5).

 

Taken from: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia by James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor