| Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) A priest of the course of Abia, the eighth of the twenty-four courses into which the priests had been originally divided by David (1 Chronicles 23:1-19). Only four of these courses or "families" of the priests returned from the Exile (Ezra 2:36-39); but they were then re-distributed under the old designations. The priests served at the temple twice each year, and only for a week each time. Zacharias's time had come for this service. During this period his home would be one of the chambers set apart for the priests on the sides of the temple ground. The offering of incense was one of the most solemn parts of the daily worship of the temple, and lots were drawn each day to determine who should have this great honour, an honour which no priest could enjoy more than once during his lifetime. While Zacharias ministered at the golden altar of incense in the holy place, it was announced to him by the angel Gabriel that his wife Elisabeth, who was also of a priestly family, now stricken in years, would give birth to a son who was to be called John, and that he would be the forerunner of the long-expected Messiah (Luke 1:12-17). As a punishment for his refusing to believe this message, he was struck dumb and "not able to speak until the day that these things should be performed" (20). Nine months passed away, and Elisabeth's child was born, and when in answer to their inquiry Zacharias wrote on a "writing tablet," "His name is John," his mouth was opened, and he praised God (60-79). The child (John the Baptist), thus "born out of due time," "waxed strong in spirit" (1:80). (2.) The "son of Barachias," mentioned as having been slain between the temple and the altar (Matthew 23:35; Luke 11:51). "Barachias" here may be another name for Jehoiada, as some think. (see ZECHARIAH.) Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ZACHARIAS (1) zak-a-ri'-as (Zacharias):
(1) One of the "rulers of the temple" at the time of Josiah's Passover (1 Esdras 1:8) = "Zechariah" of 2 Chronicles 35:8.
(2) One of the "holy singers" at Josiah's Passover (1 Esdras 1:15); the name stands in place of "Heman" in 2 Chronicles 35:15.
(3) In 1 Esdras 6:1; 7:3 = the prophet Zechariah.
(4) One of the sons of Pharos who returned with Ezra at the head of his family (1 Esdras 8:30) = "Zechariah" of Ezra 8:3, and perhaps identical with (5).
(5) One of the "men of understanding" with whom Ezra consulted when he discovered the absence of priests and Levites (1 Esdras 8:44) = "Zechariah" of Ezra 8:16, and perhaps identical with (6).
(6) Zacharias (omitted in the King James Version), who stood on Ezra's left hand as he expounded the Law (1 Esdras 9:44) = "Zechariah" of Nehemiah 8:4.
(7) One of the sons of Babi who went up at the head of his family with Ezra (1 Esdras 8:37) = "Zechariah" of Ezra 8:11.
(8) One of the sons of Elam who had taken foreign wives (1 Esdras 9:27) = "Zechariah" of Ezra 10:26.
(9) The father of Joseph, one of the "leaders of the people" under Judas (1 Maccabees 5:18, 56).
(10) The King James Version = the Revised Version (British and American) "Zarains" (1 Esdras 5:8).
(11) The King James Version = the Revised Version (British and American) "Zachariah" of Matthew 23:35.
S. Angus ZACHARIAS (2) (Zacharias): Father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5, etc.). He was a priest of the course of ABIJAH (which see), of blameless life, who in his old age was still childless. But on one occasion when it was the turn of the course of Abijah to minister in the temple (see TEMPLE), Zacharias was chosen by lot to burn incense. While engaged in this duty he was visited by Gabriel, who announced to him that he should become the father of the precursor of the Messiah. Zacharias received the promise incredulously and was punished by being stricken mute. When, however, the child was born and Zacharias had obeyed the injunction of Gabriel by insisting on the name John, his powers of speech returned to him. According to Luke 1:67-79, Zacharias was the author of the hymn Benedictus, which describes God's deliverance of Israel in language drawn entirely from the Old Testament, and which is unaffected by the later Christian realization that the Kingdom is also for Gentiles.
Elisabeth, his wife, was of the daughters of Aaron (Luke 1:5) and kinswoman of the Virgin (Luke 1:36; the relationship is altogether obscure). According to Luke 1:42-45, she was one of those who shared in the secret of the Annunciation. A few manuscripts in Luke 1:46 ascribe the Magnificat to her, but this seems certainly erroneous. See especially Zahn, Evangelium des Lucas, 98-101 and 745-751 (1913).
Burton Scott Easton |  | Multi-Version Concordance Zacharias (11 Occurrences) Matthew 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. (KJV DBY WBS YLT) Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 1:12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 1:18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years." (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 1:21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 1:40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 1:59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 1:67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying, (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS) Luke 11:51 From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. (KJV DBY WBS YLT) |
