Zechariah (prophet)

Technical Profile

  • Name Meaning: Hebrew Zekaryāh (“Yahweh has remembered”), emphasizing divine remembrance of covenant commitments.
  • Period/Era: Post-Exilic
  • Main References: Zechariah 1–14; Ezra 5:1–2; Ezra 6:14
  • Key Connections: Son of Berechiah, grandson of Iddo; ministry alongside Haggai; associated with Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest.

Who was Zechariah (prophet)?

Zechariah was a post-exilic prophet in Judah who began prophesying during the Persian period.
He is identified genealogically as the son of Berechiah, grandson of Iddo.
His messages combined symbolic night visions with oracles directed to the restored community in Jerusalem.
He called the people to return to the LORD and addressed leadership and communal worship.

Key Events & Achievements

  • Prophetic Call: Began preaching in the second year of Darius, urging repentance and covenant loyalty (Zech. 1:1–6).
  • Vision Reports: Delivered a series of night visions concerning Jerusalem’s restoration and divine oversight of Judah’s future (Zech. 1:7–6:15).
  • Temple Encouragement: Supported the rebuilding effort referenced with Haggai, contributing to the completion of the temple project (Ezra 5:1–2; 6:14).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Zechariah’s ministry shows how prophetic instruction and symbolic vision language functioned to sustain post-exilic Judah’s covenant identity during restoration.

Key Verse

"Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts." — Zechariah 1:3, ESV

Quizzes

Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.

1. How is Zechariah identified in his genealogy?

2. In what year of Darius did Zechariah begin preaching, urging repentance and covenant loyalty?