Zechariah in Easton's Bible Dictionary
Jehovah is renowned or remembered. (1.) A prophet of Judah,
the
eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel,
he was of
priestly extraction. He describes himself (1:1) as
"the son of
Berechiah." In Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 he is called "the
son of Iddo,"
who was properly his grandfather. His prophetical
career began
in the second year of Darius (B.C. 520), about
sixteen years
after the return of the first company from exile. He
was
contemporary with Haggai (Ezra 5:1).
His book consists of two distinct parts, (1)
chapters 1 to 8,
inclusive, and (2) 9 to the end. It begins with a
preface
(1:1-6), which recalls the nation's past history,
for the
purpose of presenting a solemn warning to the
present
generation. Then follows a series of eight visions
(1:7-6:8),
succeeding one another in one night, which may be
regarded as a
symbolical history of Israel, intended to furnish
consolation to
the returned exiles and stir up hope in their minds.
The
symbolical action, the crowning of Joshua (6:9-15),
describes
how the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of
God's
Christ.
Chapters 7 and 8, delivered two years later, are an
answer to
the question whether the days of mourning for the
destruction of
the city should be any longer kept, and an
encouraging address
to the people, assuring them of God's presence and
blessing.
The second part of the book (ch. 9-14) bears no
date. It is
probable that a considerable interval separates it
from the
first part. It consists of two burdens.
The first burden (ch. 9-11) gives an outline of the
course of
God's providential dealings with his people down to
the time of
the Advent.
The second burden (ch. 12-14) points out the glories
that
await Israel in "the latter day", the final conflict
and triumph
of God's kingdom.
(2.) The son or grandson of Jehoiada, the high
priest in the
times of Ahaziah and Joash. After the death of
Jehoiada he
boldly condemned both the king and the people for
their
rebellion against God (2 Chr. 24:20), which so
stirred up their
resentment against him that at the king's
commandment they
stoned him with stones, and he died "in the court of
the house
of the Lord" (24:21). Christ alludes to this deed of
murder in
Matt. 23:35, Luke 11:51. (See ZACHARIAS -T0003862
[2].)
(3.) A prophet, who had "understanding in the seeing
of God,"
in the time of Uzziah, who was much indebted to him
for his wise
counsel (2 Chr. 26:5).
Besides these, there is a large number of persons
mentioned in
Scripture bearing this name of whom nothing is
known.
(4.) One of the chiefs of the tribe of Reuben (1
Chr. 5:7).
(5.) One of the porters of the tabernacle (1 Chr.
9:21).
(6.) 1 Chr. 9:37.
(7.) A Levite who assisted at the bringing up of the
ark from
the house of Obededom (1 Chr. 15:20-24).
(8.) A Kohathite Levite (1 Chr. 24:25).
(9.) A Merarite Levite (1 Chr. 27:21).
(10.) The father of Iddo (1 Chr. 27:21).
(11.) One who assisted in teaching the law to the
people in
the time of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 17:7).
(12.) A Levite of the sons of Asaph (2 Chr. 20:14).
(13.) One of Jehoshaphat's sons (2 Chr. 21:2).
(14.) The father of Abijah, who was the mother of
Hezekiah (2
Chr. 29:1).
(15.) One of the sons of Asaph (2 Chr. 29:13).
(16.) One of the "rulers of the house of God" (2
Chr. 35:8).
(17.) A chief of the people in the time of Ezra, who
consulted
him about the return from captivity (Ezra 8:16);
probably the
same as mentioned in Neh. 8:4,
(18.) Neh. 11:12.
(19.) Neh. 12:16.
(20.) Neh. 12:35,41.
(21.) Isa. 8:2.
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