Zacharias [Zăcha rīas]—jehovah is renowned.

1. The son of Barachias, or Jehoiada (2 Chron. 24:20-22). This Zacharias is the martyr mentioned by Christ (Matt. 23:35; Luke 11:51) who was the righteous man murdered by the Jews in the court of the Temple, between the sanctuary and the house.
2. The father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-67; 3:2).

The Man Who Was Stricken Dumb

The priest of the eighth course of Abia was visited by the angel Gabriel as he was ministering in his turn in the Temple. The revelation came to him about the birth of a son in his old age, and of his name and mission. His disbelief of the divine message was punished by dumbness, an affliction which vanished when John was circumcised and named.

In obedience to Gabriel’s command, the babe was named John, and upon his presentation to God, Zacharias, by the Spirit, composed his magnificent Benediction. After this he vanishes from Holy Writ.

3. The name suggested for John the Baptist by his friends (Luke 1:59).