Changes

Zacharias - (1.also Zechariah, which is the common spelling in modern English) A , was a [[priest ]] of the course line of Abia[[Abijah]], during the eighth reign of the twenty-four courses into which the priests had been originally divided by David (1 Chr. 23[[Text:1-19). Only four of these courses or "families" of the priests returned from the Exile (Ezra 2EBD:36-39); but they were then re-distributed under Herod the old designations. The priests served at Great|King Herod the temple twice each year, and only for a week each time. Zacharias's time had come for this serviceGreat]]. During this period his home would be one of the chambers set apart for the priests on the sides of the temple ground. The offering of incense He was one of the most solemn parts father of [[John the daily worship of the temple, Baptist]] and lots were drawn each day to determine who should have this great honour, an honour which no priest could enjoy more than once during his lifetime. While Zacharias ministered at the golden altar husband of incense in the holy placeElizabeth, it was announced to him by a woman from the angel Gabriel that his wife Elisabeth, who was also of a priestly family, now stricken in years, would give birth to a son who was to be called John, and that he would be the forerunner of the long-expected Messiah (Luke 1:12-17)[[Aaron]]. As a punishment for his refusing to believe this message, he was struck dumb and "not able to speak until the day that these things should be performed" (20). Nine months passed away, and Elisabeth's child was born, and when in answer to their inquiry Zacharias wrote on a "writing tablet," "His name story is John," his mouth was opened, and he praised God (60-79). The child (John recorded in the Baptist), thus "born out [[gospel of due time," "waxed strong in spirit" (1:80). (2.) The "son of Barachias," mentioned as having been slain between the temple and the altar (Matt. 23:35; Luke 11:51). "Barachias" here may be another name for Jehoiada, as some think]].

==Quotes== ==Links== {{fbdreturnto}}[[Bible Characters Index]]