Lexical Definition
Ζαχαρίας Zacharías (dzakh-ar-ee'-as) Zechariah N:N-M-P
of Hebrew origin (זְכַרְיָה)
Zacharias.
- Zacharias (i.e. Zechariah), the name of two Israelites
Abbott-Smith
Ζαχαρίας, -ου, ὁ (Heb. זְכַרְיָה, זְכַרְיָהוּ);
1. Zacharias, father of John the Baptist: Lk 1:5, 12, 13, 18, 21, 40, 59, 67 3:2.
2. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada (in txt. wrongly called son of Barachiah; cf. II Ch 24:19 ff.): Mt 23:35, Lk 11:51.†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Chronicles | 24:19 |
| Matthew | 23:35 |
| Luke | 1:5 · 1:12 · 1:13 · 1:18 · 1:21 · 1:40 · 1:59 · 1:67 · 3:2 · 11:51 |
Profile
Male • Father of John • Priest, father of John the Baptist
Man living at the time of the New Testament
Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah, was the father of John the Baptist and husband of Elizabeth.
- A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Luk.1.5;
- only referred to as Zechariah Ζαχαρίας;
- husband of Elizabeth Ἐλισάβετ;
- father of John Ἰωάννης.
Zechariah was a priest who served in the temple during the reign of Herod the Great. He belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth are described as righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.
Despite their righteousness, Zechariah and Elizabeth were childless, and both were advanced in years. While performing his priestly duties in the temple, Zechariah was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary and burn incense. During this time, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and announced that his prayer had been heard, and that Elizabeth would bear a son named John. Zechariah doubted the message due to their old age, and as a result, he was struck mute until the birth of his son.
When Elizabeth gave birth, Zechariah confirmed that the child's name should be John, as the angel had instructed. Upon doing so, his speech was restored, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesying about the role his son would play in preparing the way for the Messiah.
Zechariah's prophecy, known as the Benedictus, speaks of God's mercy and the coming of the Messiah, who would bring salvation and deliverance to His people. He also foretold that his son, John, would be called the prophet of the Most High and would go before the Lord to prepare His ways.
All entries for Zechariah: Ζαχαρίας