Zechariah, Son of Pashhur
A Levite of the post-exilic period who served as a temple worker and genealogical link during the repopulation of Jerusalem.
Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, was a Levite who lived during the critical era of the Exile and Return. He is specifically identified in the records of Nehemiah as a vital member of the priestly and Levitical community that labored to restore the religious and social infrastructure of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. As a descendant of the house of Malchijah, he carried a significant ancestral heritage within the Tribe of Levi.
While his personal narrative is not detailed with expansive biographical prose, his presence in the biblical record serves as a testament to the continuity of the Levitical line. He is primarily known as an ancestor of Adaiah, one of the leaders who oversaw the work of the temple during the time of Nehemiah’s governorship in the 5th century BC.
Background and Family
Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, was born into a lineage of significant priestly and Levitical standing. His father is identified as Pashhur, who was the son of Malchijah (Nehemiah 11:12). This genealogy places Zechariah within the broader context of the Tribe of Levi, specifically linked to the divisions that were responsible for the maintenance and service of the temple in Jerusalem.
The mention of Malchijah is particularly noteworthy, as this family line was historically associated with the priestly courses established during the United Monarchy. In the post-exilic context, maintaining these genealogical records was not merely a matter of family pride but a legal requirement for those serving in the temple. Zechariah represents the bridge between the generations that witnessed the destruction of the first temple and those tasked with the sanctification of the second.
Major Life Events
The biblical record for Zechariah is concentrated in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Nehemiah. This chapter details the repopulation of Jerusalem, a city that had remained relatively sparsely inhabited even after the walls were rebuilt. To ensure the city’s security and spiritual vitality, a tithe of the people—one out of every ten—was chosen to live within the city walls.
Zechariah is listed among those whose descendants and associates "did the work at the temple" (Nehemiah 11:12). Although the text focuses on his descendant, Adaiah, it specifically names Zechariah to validate the legitimacy of Adaiah’s service. The work mentioned involved the daily sacrifices, the maintenance of the holy precincts, and the administration of the tithes and offerings that sustained the post-exilic community. Zechariah’s life was defined by the restoration of the covenantal worship that had been interrupted by the decades of exile in Babylon.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Zechariah is defined primarily through his relationships to his father, Pashhur, and his son (or descendant), Amzi. The lineage recorded in Nehemiah 11:12 is: "Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah."
This chain of names illustrates the importance of the individual within the collective identity of Israel. Zechariah’s relationship to his son Amzi suggests a family dedicated to the preservation of the Levitical tradition during the transition from the Persian period. He stands as a central figure in a six-generation genealogy that culminates in the leadership of Adaiah, who commanded 822 men in the service of the temple.
Spiritual Significance
The spiritual significance of Zechariah lies in his role as a keeper of the sacred flame during a period of national rebuilding. While he is not credited with a specific prophecy or a singular heroic act, his faithfulness to his station as a Levite was essential for the survival of the Jewish faith.
In the post-exilic theology of Nehemiah and Ezra, the restoration of the people was incomplete without the restoration of the Law and the Temple. By maintaining his priestly heritage and passing it down to figures like Amzi and Adaiah, Zechariah ensured that the worship of Yahweh could continue according to the ancient statutes. He represents the "quiet in the land"—the individuals whose names are preserved in the genealogies of Scripture because their structural contribution to the kingdom of God was indispensable.
Spiritual Significance
Zechariah, son of Pashhur, represents the continuity of the Levitical priesthood during the fragile years of the Return from Exile. His inclusion in the genealogical lists of Nehemiah 11 underscores the biblical emphasis on legitimate succession and the importance of the 'remnant' who returned to Judea to rebuild the spiritual life of the nation. Without individuals like Zechariah, the organizational restoration of the Second Temple would have lacked the necessary legal and tribal authority required by the Mosaic Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Zechariah's father?
Zechariah was the son of Pashhur, as recorded in Nehemiah 11:12.
What tribe did Zechariah belong to?
He belonged to the Tribe of Levi, specifically within the lineage of Malchijah.
What was Zechariah's role in Jerusalem?
He was part of the group of Levites and temple workers who performed the service of the house of God during the post-exilic period.
In which book of the Bible is this Zechariah mentioned?
He is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah, specifically in the eleventh chapter.
How many men were associated with Zechariah's family in the temple service?
His descendant Adaiah led 822 men who performed the work at the temple.
Connected Figures
Pashhur
Father
Amzi
Son
Adaiah
Descendant
Nehemiah
Contemporary Leader
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Nehemiah1
Family & Relationships
Child
Amzi, Levite of the Exile and Return
Nehemiah 11:12
Parent
1 Chronicles 9:12
Others Named Zechariah
Zechariah, Son of Isshiah1 Chronicles 24:25
A Levite of the Uzzielite clan who served during the Divided Monarchy as a descendant of Kohath.
Zechariah, Father of John the BaptistLuke 1:5
A righteous priest of the division of Abijah who was momentarily struck mute for his disbelief before fathering John the Baptist in his old age.
Zechariah, Son of Jehoshaphat2 Chronicles 21:2
A prince of Judah and son of King Jehoshaphat, Zechariah was one of several brothers who were tragically murdered by their sibling Jehoram upon his accession to the throne.
Zechariah, Levite of the Divided Monarchy2 Chronicles 34:12
A Kohathite Levite who served as a faithful overseer during the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem under King Josiah.
Zechariah of the Tribe of Reuben1 Chronicles 5:7
A Reubenite tribal leader recorded in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles during the era of the Divided Monarchy.
Zechariah, Prophet of the ReturnZechariah 1:1
A prominent post-exilic prophet who, alongside Haggai, urged the Jewish people to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem during the reign of Darius I.
Zechariah, Descendant of ParoshEzra 8:3
A prominent family representative who led 150 men back to Jerusalem from the Babylonian exile under the leadership of Ezra.
Zechariah, Priest of the ReturnNehemiah 12:16
A priest and descendant of Iddo who served in the post-exilic community during the resettlement of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah.
Zechariah, Son of JeberechiahIsaiah 8:2
A reliable citizen and witness of Judah during the reign of King Ahaz, chosen by God to attest to Isaiah's prophetic sign.
Zechariah, Descendant of ElamEzra 10:26
A returning Jewish exile from the family of Elam who was involved in the post-exilic reforms led by Ezra in Jerusalem.
Zechariah, Son of Jeroboam2 Kings 14:29
Zechariah, the son of Jeroboam II, was the final king of the Jehu dynasty in Israel, reigning for only six months before his assassination.
Zechariah, Father of Jahaziel2 Chronicles 20:14
A Levite descendant of Asaph during the Divided Monarchy whose lineage was chosen for a significant prophetic announcement during the reign of King Jehoshaphat.
Zechariah, Son of Jehoiada2 Chronicles 24:20
A righteous priest and martyr during the Divided Monarchy who was executed by King Joash for rebuking the idolatry of Judah.
Zechariah, Official of Jehoshaphat2 Chronicles 17:7
One of five high-ranking officials commissioned by King Jehoshaphat to educate the people of Judah in the Law of the LORD.
Zechariah, Leader of the ReturnEzra 8:16
A Jewish leader summoned by Ezra during the post-exilic journey from Babylon to Jerusalem to assist in the restoration of the community.
Zechariah, descendant of Asaph2 Chronicles 29:13
A Levite of the Asaphite clan who participated in the sanctification and restoration of the Temple under the direction of King Hezekiah during the Divided Monarchy.
Zechariah, Descendant of JudahNehemiah 11:4
A descendant of Judah and the house of Perez who served as a vital genealogical link for the community resettling Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
Zechariah, Father of Iddo1 Chronicles 27:21
The father of Iddo, a high-ranking tribal official over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead during the reign of King David.
Zechariah, Father of Abi2 Kings 18:2
The father of Queen Abi and grandfather of King Hezekiah, whose lineage was instrumental in the religious reforms of Judah.
Zechariah, Descendant of ShelahNehemiah 11:5
A member of the tribe of Judah and the house of Shelah whose lineage was essential to the post-exilic resettlement of Jerusalem.
Zechariah, Administrator of the House of God2 Chronicles 35:8
A high-ranking official and administrator of the Temple who provided substantial sacrifices during King Josiah's historic Passover celebration.
Zechariah, Son of Meshelemiah1 Chronicles 9:21
A Levite gatekeeper of the Korahite clan known as a wise counselor who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Zechariah, Son of Hosah1 Chronicles 26:11
A Merarite Levite during the Divided Monarchy who served as a gatekeeper in the Tabernacle and Temple administration.
Zechariah, Instructor to Uzziah2 Chronicles 26:5
A godly mentor and spiritual advisor who instructed King Uzziah of Judah in the fear of the LORD during the Divided Monarchy.
Zechariah, Priest of the DedicationNehemiah 12:41
A priest and trumpeter who participated in the formal dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah.
Zechariah, Musician of the Post-Exilic PeriodNehemiah 12:35
A priest and trumpet player who participated in the joyous dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah.
Zechariah, Attendee of the Law ReadingNehemiah 8:4
A prominent leader or dignitary who stood at the left hand of Ezra during the historic public reading and explanation of the Law of Moses in Jerusalem.
Zechariah, Son of BebaiEzra 8:11
A member of the clan of Bebai who joined Ezra’s caravan during the second wave of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem.