a canonical book of the Old Testament, containing the predictions of Zechariah, the son of Barachia, and grandson of Iddo. He is the eleventh of the twelve lesser prophets. Zechariah entered upon the prophetic office at the same time with Haggai, and was sent to the Jews upon the same message, to reprove them for their backwardness in erecting the temple, and restoring divine worship; but especially for the disorder of their lives and manners, which could not but derive a curse upon them. By several notable visions and types, he endeavours to confirm their faith, and establish their assurance concerning God's providence with them, and care over them; and as a proof and demonstration of this, he interposes the most comfortable promises of the coming of the kingdom, the temple, the priesthood, the victory, the glory of Christ the Branch. Nor does he forget to assure them of the ruin of Babylon, their most implacable enemy. This prophet is the longest and most obscure of all the lesser prophets, his style being interrupted and without connection.