זְכַרְיָהוּ (ze.khar.yah)
ze.khar.yah
Zechariah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 35 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Zechariah, meaning "Jehovah remembers," appears thirty-five times in the Hebrew Bible. It is most common in Chronicles and Nehemiah, where it identifies numerous individuals from the post-exilic community. These men served as Levites, priests, and leaders who helped restore temple worship and rebuild Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian exile.
Among these many bearers of the name, one figure carries significant theological weight: Zechariah son of Jehoiada. In 2 Chronicles 24:20-22, he is stoned to death in the temple court for condemning King Joash’s apostasy. This violent end connects him to later New Testament references, as Jesus mentions "Zechariah son of Barachiah" (Matthew 23:35) in a context that likely alludes to this prophetic martyrdom.
The name itself carries a promise of divine faithfulness. In biblical thought, God’s remembering is not passive recollection but active intervention. When the text says God "remembers," it often precedes deliverance or covenant fulfillment. The many Zechariahs in Chronicles thus serve as witnesses to this theme, living in a time when their community was trying to remember its identity and return to faithful obedience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Zechariah carries a quiet but powerful promise: "Jehovah remembers." In the Hebrew Bible, this name appears thirty-five times, often attached to Levites, priests, and leaders who helped rebuild Jerusalem after exile. These men were not famous kings or conquerors. They were gatekeepers, musicians, and scribes who showed up when it mattered most. Their lives remind us that God notices the faithful few who keep His worship alive in difficult seasons.
When Scripture says God "remembers," it does not mean He forgot something and then recalled it. It means He acts with purposeful care. The Zechariahs of Chronicles lived in a time when their community was trying to remember its identity. They served as witnesses that God had not abandoned His people. Their names are preserved not for their own glory, but to show us that divine faithfulness often works through ordinary obedience.
This word invites you to trust that your efforts are seen. Whether you are serving in the background or leading in the light, God’s memory is active and saving. He remembers His promises, and He remembers those who seek Him. You can rest in the assurance that no faithful step is lost to His notice.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 35 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zechariah24×
- and/ Zechariah9×
- and/ for/ Zechariah1×
- and/ <to>/ Zechariah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זְכַרְיָ֖ה3×
- זְכַרְיָ֑ה3×
- זְכַרְיָה֙2×
- זְכַרְיָֽהוּ\׃2×
- זְכַרְיָ֥ה2×
- זְכַרְיָ֡הוּ2×
- זְכַרְיָ֖הוּ2×
- זְכַרְיָֽה\׃1×
- זְכַרְיָ֨הוּ1×
- זְכַרְיָ֨ה1×
- זְכַרְיָ֧ה1×
- זְכַרְיָ֤הוּ1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 20:14
Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly;
This verse highlights Zechariah as a conduit for the Spirit, showing how God uses named individuals to bring prophetic clarity to the assembly.
-
Ezra 5:1
Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied to them in the name of the God of Israel.
Here Zechariah is identified as a prophet alongside Haggai, demonstrating that the name belongs to those who actively speak God’s word during reconstruction.
-
I Chronicles 9:21
Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the door of the Tent of Meeting.
Zechariah serves as a gatekeeper, illustrating how the name is associated with protecting the sacred space of worship.
-
II Chronicles 26:5
He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God; and as long as he sought Yahweh, God made him prosper.
This passage links Zechariah to understanding God’s vision, showing that the name is connected to spiritual insight and divine prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Zechariah mean?
How many times does the name appear in the Hebrew Bible?
Is there a specific Zechariah who was a prophet?
Why are there so many men with this name?
Every Occurrence (35 verses across 5 books)
II Kings 4 verses
Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zechariah his son reigned in his place.
II Kings 15:8In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, Zechariah the son of Jeroboam reigned over Israel in Samaria six…
II Kings 15:11Now the rest of the acts of Zechariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.
II Kings 18:2He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name…