Bible Figure

Zechariah ben Jehoiada

Male
a figure in the Hebrew Bible described as a priest who was stoned to death by Jehoash of Judah
A Visit With Jesus
Zechariah son of Jehoiada was a priestly prophet who rebuked Judah's apostasy and was stoned to death in the Temple court by order of King Joash.
Zechariah ben Jehoiada

Biography

Second Chronicles 24 says the Spirit of God clothed Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest, and he confronted the people for abandoning the Lord's commandments. Although Jehoiada had protected and guided Joash earlier in life, Joash failed to remember that loyalty. At the king's command, the people stoned Zechariah in the court of the Lord's house. As he died, Zechariah called upon the Lord to see and avenge. Soon afterward an Aramean force defeated Judah, and Joash himself was assassinated.

Biblical Significance

Zechariah's martyrdom demonstrates the depth of Joash's apostasy after Jehoiada's death. Jesus later referred to the killing of a Zechariah in the sanctuary in a saying about the blood of righteous witnesses, though the precise identification has been discussed because Matthew names the father differently.