Zachary
TextsWhat is the meaning of Zachary in the Bible?
The King James Version and the Revised Version in 2 Esdras 1:40 refer to the prophet Zechariah.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this textual variation clarifies why the name appears as Zachary in certain English translations of the Apocrypha while remaining Zechariah in the canonical Hebrew Bible and New Testament.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Zachary functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Zachary in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zachary clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Zachary." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/zachary/