Zechariah (prophet)

The Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that is transliterated as “Zechariah” or “Zachariah” means “whom YHWH remembers,” “remember God.” (Source: Cornwall / Smith 1997 )

It is translated in Swiss-German Sign Language with a sign that depicts predicting the future.


“Zechariah” in Swiss-German Sign Language, source: DSGS-Lexikon biblischer Begriffe , © CGG Schweiz

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a sign that is based on calling attention to God’s will and encouraging the building of the temple (see Zechariah 4:99. This sign clearly distinguishes the prophet from the previously mentioned New Testament Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist). While the latter’s sign refers to muteness, the prophet’s sign captures his active theological and historical role — the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem and spiritual awakening. This distinction highlights the precision of biblical sign language: they do not merely denote names, but encode the person’s significance in salvation history within the signs themselves, thereby aiding believers in identification and scriptural interpretation. (Source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group)


“Zechariah” in Hungarian Sign Language — note that only the first part refers to “Zechariah,” the second part refers to “book” (source )

For more information on translations of proper names with sign language see Sign Language Bible Translations Have Something to Say to Hearing Christians .

complete verse (Nehemiah 12:16)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 12:16:

  • Kupsabiny: “Zechariah headed the family of Iddo, and Meshullam headed the the family of Ginnethon.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Zacarias was the leader/[lit. head] of the family of Iddo.
    Meshulam was the leader/[lit. head] of the family of Gineton” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Zechariah, from the clan of Iddo;
    Meshullam, from the clan of Ginnethon;” (Source: Translation for Translators)