Zechariah

Hebrew prophet

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Zechariah

Zechariah, the son of Jeberechiah, is recognized in the Book of Mormon as a faithful witness whom the prophet Isaiah called upon to verify the prophetic nature of his son’s name, which was to be inscribed on a tablet. Isaiah’s request for witnesses was in accordance with legal customs of the time, which required the testimony of two or more witnesses to establish a matter firmly (2 Nephi 18:2). While the role of Zechariah in the larger narrative of the Book of Mormon is minimal, his brief mention associates him with the important prophetic acts of Isaiah.

The reference in 2 Nephi 18:2 aligns with the version of the account in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah, where Zechariah is similarly mentioned. His presence as a witness serves to validate Isaiah’s words and actions in a legal and ceremonial capacity. Although the Book of Mormon and the Bible provide scant information regarding Zechariah’s life or other contributions, his identification as a faithful witness suggests that he was a man of some standing, possibly involved in priestly or official duties during the time of Isaiah.

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