The '''Prophet Zechariah''', also '''Zachary''' or '''Zachariah''', was a [[prophet]] of the postexilic period. He was the writer of the Book of Zechariah. His book is the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets of the [[Old Testament]]. He is commemorated on [[February 8]].

==Life==

Zechariah was of the tribe of Levi and was born in Babylon during the Babylon captivity. He returned from exile to Judea as an old man shortly before the dedication in 515 BC of the rebuilt [[temple]]. Zechariah is called the son of Berechiah in his book, (Zechariah 1:1). Therefore, the Prophet Zechariah is sometimes identified with the prophet who was killed between the temple and the [[altar]] (Mt. 23:35; Luke 11:51). When the days of his prophesying were ended, Zechariah died in peace and was buried among the graves of other prophets.