Zechariah זְכַרְיָהוּ

Who is Zechariah in the Bible?

Zechariah was the head of the priestly family of Iddo during the high priesthood of Joiakim, who served as high priest after the Jewish return from Babylonian exile (Nehemiah 12:16). As a priestly family leader, Zechariah held responsibility for his family's service and duties in the temple during this period of Jewish restoration. He may have been the grandfather of the prophet Zechariah, author of the book bearing his name, though this connection cannot be definitively confirmed. His significance lies in representing the priestly leadership that helped restore temple worship and religious life among the returning exiles.