Who was Zechariah in the bible?

Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה, Zekaryah) is a Hebrew name explained as meaning “Jah has remembered,” and the lexicon gloss identifies it as the name of many Israelites. In the verses given, multiple different individuals bear the name Zechariah, appearing in genealogies and in roles connected with gatekeeping, music, priestly service, and tribal administration.

Zechariah in Scripture

Zechariah first appears in a genealogical notice in 1 Chronicles, listed among family leaders:

“His brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was listed: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,” (1 Chronicles 5:7, WEB)

Another Zechariah is named among those connected with the Tent of Meeting as a gatekeeper, identified by his father:

“Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the door of the Tent of Meeting.” (1 Chronicles 9:21, WEB)

In a later listing of names, Zechariah appears again among others without further description:

“Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth.” (1 Chronicles 9:37, WEB)

The fullest narrative setting provided is 1 Chronicles 15, where Zechariah appears in the organized effort under David to bring up God’s ark. The chapter opens with David’s preparations and his stated principle for transporting the ark:

“David made himself houses in David’s city; and he prepared a place for God’s ark, and pitched a tent for it.” (1 Chronicles 15:1, WEB)

“Then David said, ‘No one ought to carry God’s ark but the Levites. For Yahweh has chosen them to carry God’s ark, and to minister to him forever.’” (1 Chronicles 15:2, WEB)

David then assembled “all Israel at Jerusalem” to bring up the ark (1 Chronicles 15:3) and gathered “the sons of Aaron and the Levites” (1 Chronicles 15:4), listing chiefs and their brothers from several Levitical clans (1 Chronicles 15:5–10). He addressed these leaders with a call to sanctify themselves for the task, explicitly connecting their preparations to an earlier failure to follow the proper ordinance:

“David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab,” (1 Chronicles 15:11, WEB)

“and said to them, ‘You are the heads of the fathers’ households of the Levites. Sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, up to the place that I have prepared for it.” (1 Chronicles 15:12, WEB)

“For because you didn’t carry it at first, Yahweh our God broke out in anger against us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance.” (1 Chronicles 15:13, WEB)

After the priests and Levites sanctified themselves (1 Chronicles 15:14), the ark was borne “on their shoulders with its poles” in obedience to command (1 Chronicles 15:15). David also organized music for the occasion, appointing singers and instrumentalists for joyful sound (1 Chronicles 15:16–17). Within this structured service, Zechariah is named in several different capacities.

First, Zechariah is listed among “their brothers of the second rank,” in a group associated with doorkeeping:

“and with them their brothers of the second rank, Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.” (1 Chronicles 15:18, WEB)

Next, Zechariah is named among those playing stringed instruments “set to Alamoth,” positioned within the music that accompanied the ark’s ascent:

“and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth;” (1 Chronicles 15:20, WEB)

Later, Zechariah also appears among priests who “blew the trumpets before God’s ark,” reinforcing that the procession included both Levitical and priestly functions:

“Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, blew the trumpets before God’s ark; and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.” (1 Chronicles 15:24, WEB)

The chapter concludes with the ark being brought up “with joy” (1 Chronicles 15:25), sacrifices made when “God helped the Levites” (1 Chronicles 15:26), and a climactic description of the sound and celebration as “all Israel brought the ark of Yahweh’s covenant up” (1 Chronicles 15:28). The final scene shows a personal reaction from Michal as she sees David “dancing and playing” (1 Chronicles 15:29).

Beyond this key narrative, Zechariah appears in lists of Levitical or temple-related assignments and genealogies. Zechariah is named as a descendant in the line of Isshiah:

“The brother of Micah: Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah.” (1 Chronicles 24:25, WEB)

Zechariah also appears as a firstborn son of Meshelemiah in a list of sons:

“Meshelemiah had sons: Zechariah the firstborn, Jediael the second, Zebadiah the third, Jathniel the fourth,” (1 Chronicles 26:2, WEB)

Another Zechariah is listed as the fourth among the sons and brothers of Hosah:

“Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, and Zechariah the fourth. All the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.” (1 Chronicles 26:11, WEB)

In a passage about casting lots for gatekeeping assignments, Zechariah is described as a “wise counselor,” and a specific lot assignment is given:

“The lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counselor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.” (1 Chronicles 26:14, WEB)

Finally, Zechariah appears as the father of Iddo in a list of leaders associated with tribal divisions, including the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead:

“of the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah; of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner;” (1 Chronicles 27:21, WEB)

Multiple bearers

The name Zechariah belongs to multiple individuals in these passages. Among them are: (1) a Zechariah named with Jeiel as a chief in a genealogy (1 Chronicles 5:7); (2) “Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah,” a gatekeeper “of the door of the Tent of Meeting” (1 Chronicles 9:21); (3) a Zechariah appearing in David’s ark procession as a doorkeeper among “brothers of the second rank” (1 Chronicles 15:18), as a musician “with stringed instruments set to Alamoth” (1 Chronicles 15:20), and as one of the priests who “blew the trumpets before God’s ark” (1 Chronicles 15:24); (4) a Zechariah listed among the sons of Isshiah (1 Chronicles 24:25); (5) “Zechariah the firstborn” of Meshelemiah (1 Chronicles 26:2); (6) a Zechariah who is “the fourth” among Hosah’s sons and brothers (1 Chronicles 26:11); (7) “Zechariah his son, a wise counselor,” whose lot “came out northward” (1 Chronicles 26:14); and (8) Zechariah as the father of Iddo in a tribal-administrative listing (1 Chronicles 27:21). The verses do not explicitly identify which of these references belong to the same person, beyond the father–son identifications that are stated.

Name and Meaning

The name is written זְכַרְיָה (also noted in a longer form, זְכַרְיָהוּ) and transliterated Zekaryah, pronounced zek-ar-yaw’. Its derivation is explained from a verb meaning “to mark” (in the sense of remembering) combined with the divine element “Yahh,” yielding the sense “Jah has remembered.”

Observation

In the key narrative of 1 Chronicles 15, Zechariah’s name appears in the ordered worship surrounding the ark—among “the doorkeepers” (1 Chronicles 15:18), among those playing “stringed instruments” (1 Chronicles 15:20), and among “the priests” who “blew the trumpets before God’s ark” (1 Chronicles 15:24)—as David sought to proceed “according to the ordinance” (1 Chronicles 15:13).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Zechariah mean?

Zechariah means “Jah has remembered.”

How many times does Zechariah appear in the Bible?

Zechariah occurs 39 times.

Who was Zechariah in the Bible?

Zechariah is the name of twenty-nine Israelites. One Zechariah is named as “the son of Meshelemiah” and served as “gatekeeper of the door of the Tent of Meeting” (1 Chronicles 9:21).

What does 1 Chronicles say about Zechariah as a gatekeeper?

It says, “Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the door of the Tent of Meeting” (1 Chronicles 9:21).

Explore Further

If you found this page about Zechariah interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.

Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).