Bible Dictionaries
Zacharias

Holman Bible Dictionary

(zak uhr i' uhss) Greek form of Hebrew personal name Zechariah, meaning, “Yah remembered.” A priest in Jerusalem and the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-64 ). As he was burning incense in the Temple as part of his duties, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and announced that he and his elderly wife, Elisabeth, would have a son. Since both were past the age of childbearing, Zacharias asked for a sign that the birth would occur. Because of his lack of faith, the angel struck him dumb. When John was born, the people assumed that he would be named after his father despite Elisabeth's objections that the boy be called “John.” When Zacharias confirmed the name by writing it on a tablet, his speech returned. See Zechariah .