Understanding Βαραχίας (Barachias) Strong’s G914: The Jewish Priest’s Son Whose Blood Cries Out as a Prophetic Witness to Messiah’s Coming Judgment

Pronunciation Guide: ba-ra-KHI-as (βα-ρα-ΧΙ-ας)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G914: Βαραχίας (Barachias) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name ברכיה (Berekhyah), meaning “blessed of Yahweh” or “Yahweh blesses.” In the New Testament, it appears only once in Matthew 23:35 as the patronymic designation “son of Barachias,” referring to the father of Zechariah who was murdered between the temple and the altar. This name carries significant prophetic and historical weight in Yeshua’s warning about judgment.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (proper name), masculine
• Greek transliteration of Hebrew personal name ברכיה (Berekhyah)
• Composed of two Hebrew elements: ברך (barakh, “to bless”) and יה (Yah, short form of יהוה/Yahweh)
• Appears in narrative/teaching context in the Gospel of Matthew
• Used in prophetic warning discourse by Yeshua

Βαραχίας Morphology:

• Βαραχίας (nominative singular) – Barachias (subject form)
• Βαραχίου (genitive singular) – of Barachias (possessive form)
• Βαραχίᾳ (dative singular) – to/for Barachias
• Βαραχίαν (accusative singular) – Barachias (object form)

Origin & History

The name Βαραχίας represents the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name ברכיה (Berekhyah), which appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew name combines “barakh” (to bless) with a theophoric element “Yah” (the shortened form of the Divine Name), creating a name that essentially means “Yahweh blesses” or “blessed of Yahweh.” This type of theophoric naming was common in ancient Israel, reflecting the parents’ devotion to יהוה and hope for divine blessing upon their child.

In the Septuagint (LXX), various forms of this name appear in 1 Chronicles, Zechariah, and Nehemiah, though with slight variations in transliteration. Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, also mentions individuals with this name in his “Antiquities of the Jews,” particularly when discussing the lineage of priestly families. The preservation of this name across these sources demonstrates its continued importance within Jewish religious and historical tradition throughout the Second Temple period.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Father of Zechariah who was murdered in the temple precincts
• A theophoric name signifying divine blessing
• A patronymic identifier in Yeshua’s prophetic warning about judgment
• A historical figure connected to temple service traditions

Βαραχίας Translation Options:

• “Barachias” – Direct transliteration preserving the Greek form, useful for maintaining connection to historical documents
• “Berechiah” – More accurate transliteration of the original Hebrew name, helpful for connecting with Old Testament references
• “Blessed of Yahweh” – Dynamic equivalent translation expressing the name’s meaning, useful for emphasizing theological significance
• “Son of Yahweh’s Blessing” – Expanded translation highlighting the theophoric nature of the name, helpful for teaching contexts

Biblical Usage

The name Βαραχίας appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 23:35, where Yeshua pronounces woes upon the scribes and Pharisees. In this powerful condemnation, He references the murder of “Zechariah son of Barachias” as the culmination of righteous blood shed upon the earth, paired with Abel’s murder as its beginning. This creates a powerful rhetorical device encompassing all martyrs from the first pages of Scripture (Genesis) to the closing pages of the Hebrew canonical order (Chronicles).

The identification of this Zechariah has been subject to scholarly debate, as several possibilities exist. The most probable identification is with Zechariah son of Jehoiada in 2 Chronicles 24:20-22, who was stoned in the temple court. However, this creates a name discrepancy (Jehoiada vs. Barachias) that might be explained by Jehoiada having an alternate name, a scribal tradition, or Yeshua deliberately connecting this murder with the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah from Zechariah 1:1 for theological reasons.

• “…from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Barachias [Βαραχίου], whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.” Matthew 23:35

Cultural Insights

The mention of Zechariah son of Barachias in Yeshua’s discourse carries profound cultural significance within Second Temple Judaism. According to 2 Chronicles, when Zechariah son of Jehoiada was murdered in the temple courts, his dying words were “May יהוה see and avenge!” This cry for divine justice became emblematic in Jewish tradition of innocent blood that remained unavenged, continually “crying out” to God from the ground like Abel’s blood.

Furthermore, the location of this murder—between the temple and the altar—was considered especially heinous in Jewish thought. The temple precinct was sacred space where the presence of God dwelled among His people. To commit murder there was not only to violate the commandment against murder but to desecrate holy ground and commit sacrilege against יהוה Himself. For the religious leaders to be implicated in such a crime (through identification with their forefathers) was a devastating indictment. Yeshua’s words would have sent shockwaves through His audience, especially since the Pharisees and scribes prided themselves on honoring the prophets while criticizing their ancestors who had persecuted them.

Theological Significance

The appearance of Βαραχίας in Matthew 23:35 carries profound theological weight within Yeshua’s final public discourse before His crucifixion. By referencing “Zechariah son of Barachias,” the Messiah creates a powerful inclusio—from Abel to Zechariah—encompassing all righteous blood shed throughout Israel’s history. This rhetorical device frames the entirety of covenant history as a testimony against the corruption of the religious establishment that would soon condemn Him to death.

More significantly, the mention of Barachias appears in the context of Yeshua’s pronouncement that “all these things will come upon this generation” (Matthew 23:36). This prophetic declaration points to the coming judgment upon Jerusalem in 70 CE, when the temple would be destroyed. The irony is profound—the location where Zechariah’s blood was shed would itself be destroyed as divine judgment for rejecting the Messiah. Yet even in this pronouncement of judgment, God’s character of righteousness and justice is displayed. יהוה does not ignore the cries of the innocent; their blood has been heard, and the God of justice will act. The mention of Barachias thus serves as both an indictment and a solemn witness to God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises, both in blessing (as the name means) and in judgment.

Personal Application

The story of Zechariah son of Barachias reminds us that God sees and remembers every act of faithfulness and sacrifice made in His name. Just as the name Barachias means “blessed of Yahweh,” we too are blessed when we stand firm for God’s truth, even in the face of opposition or persecution. The blood of the martyrs throughout history, from Abel to modern times, testifies to the reality that following God faithfully may cost us greatly, but no sacrifice goes unnoticed by our Heavenly Father.

When we encounter opposition for our faith today, we can draw strength from remembering that Yeshua Himself acknowledged those who suffered before us. Their stories are not forgotten but woven into the greater narrative of God’s redemptive work. Rather than seeking vengeance ourselves, we can trust in the God who sees all and judges righteously, leaving justice in His hands while we continue to proclaim His truth with courage and compassion, even to those who oppose us—for some who persecute today may, like Paul, become powerful witnesses tomorrow.

Related Words

• Ζαχαρίας (Zacharias, zakh-ar-EE-as) – The son of Barachias mentioned in Matthew 23:35, meaning “Yahweh remembers.” The name emphasizes God’s mindfulness of His covenant promises, contrasting with but complementing Barachias’ emphasis on God’s blessing. See G2197
• Ἄβελ (Abel, AH-bel) – Mentioned alongside Zechariah son of Barachias as the first martyr whose blood was shed, meaning “breath” or “vanity.” His sacrifice was accepted by God while his brother’s was rejected. See G6
• Ἱερεμίας (Jeremias, hee-er-em-EE-as) – Another prophet who suffered persecution, whose name means “Yahweh exalts.” Like Zechariah son of Barachias, he proclaimed unpopular truths that led to his suffering. See G2408
• Βεελζεβούλ (Beelzebul, beh-el-zeh-BOOL) – Name used in the same discourse by Yeshua (Matthew 10:25), representing opposition to God’s prophets and messengers. Contrasts sharply with the blessed meaning of Barachias. See G954
• Ἐλισάβετ (Elisabeth, eh-lee-SAH-bet) – Name meaning “God is my oath,” another theophoric name structure similar to Barachias, belonging to John the Baptist’s mother who was from a priestly family like Zechariah. See G1665

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in rabbinic tradition, the blood of Zechariah was said to have bubbled up from the temple pavement for centuries after his murder, refusing to be quieted despite numerous attempts by the priests to cover it? This legend, recorded in the Talmud (Gittin 57b), was meant to emphasize the severity of shedding innocent blood in God’s holy place and heightens the impact of Yeshua’s reference to Zechariah son of Barachias. The bubbling blood symbolized the unavenged cry for justice that continued until proper atonement was made—a powerful image that would have resonated with Yeshua’s first-century audience.
• Did you know that the apparent discrepancy between “Zechariah son of Barachias” in Matthew and “Zechariah son of Jehoiada” in Chronicles has led some scholars to suggest that Yeshua may have been deliberately conflating two Zechariahs—the martyred priest from Chronicles and the writing prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah? This interpretive move would create a powerful theological statement about the consistent rejection of God’s messengers from the beginning to the end of Israel’s prophetic tradition. The Messiah may have been using a sophisticated rabbinic teaching technique called “remez” (hint), connecting seemingly disparate scriptural references to reveal a deeper truth.
• Did you know that the name Berekhyah (Barachias) continues to be used in Jewish communities today, particularly among Sephardic Jews? The name remains popular because of its beautiful meaning (“blessed of God”) and its connection to the biblical tradition. Parents who choose this name for their children often do so hoping that divine blessing will indeed rest upon them throughout their lives. This continuing usage represents an unbroken chain of theophoric naming practices stretching back to biblical times, demonstrating the enduring importance of expressing faith through personal names.

Remember This

The name Βαραχίας (Barachias), though appearing only once in Scripture, stands as a solemn witness that God blesses those who remain faithful to Him, remembers every drop of innocent blood shed for His sake, and will ultimately bring perfect justice when the Messiah returns to judge the living and the dead.