Βαραχίας (Barachias)
Barachias
Barachiah
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Barachias appears only once in the New Testament, at Matthew 23:35, where Jesus refers to "Barachiah’s son Zechariah." The name itself is a Greek rendering of the Hebrew Berakiah, meaning "Yahweh blesses." This brief mention connects the listener to a specific lineage, identifying the prophet Zechariah by his father’s name rather than his own.
Identifying which Zechariah Jesus meant has long been a point of discussion. While some assume this refers to the biblical prophet and son of Berechiah found in the Old Testament, others suggest it might be a later priest named Zechariah, son of Barachias, who was killed during the Jewish War. The text does not resolve this ambiguity, leaving the exact historical figure open to interpretation.
Regardless of the specific individual intended, the reference serves to highlight the blood of righteous martyrs from the beginning to the end of the Hebrew Scriptures. By invoking this name, Jesus underscores the continuity of God’s people and the gravity of rejecting His messengers throughout history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Barachias appears only once in Scripture, linking us to a moment of profound warning. In Matthew 23:35, Jesus mentions Zechariah son of Barachias as part of a list of faithful people whose blood was shed. This brief reference reminds us that God’s messengers have often faced rejection, even from those who claimed to follow Him.
When we read this, it is easy to feel distant from the ancient conflict. Yet the pattern remains clear: truth is often resisted by human pride. Jesus does not leave us in fear but points us toward a larger story of faithfulness that spans generations. His words invite reflection on how we treat those who speak God’s truth today.
This single mention connects us to a long line of witnesses. It encourages us to stand firm in our own convictions, knowing that God sees the cost of loyalty. We are part of a continuing story where faithfulness matters more than popularity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Berekiah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Βαραχίου1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 23:35
that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar.
This verse uniquely identifies Zechariah by his father Barachias, anchoring Jesus' warning about righteous blood in a specific historical lineage.