Zechariah (priest)

Elderly Jewish priest of the division of Abijah, husband of Elizabeth. While burning incense in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared and told him his barren wife would bear a son to be named John. Zechariah doubted and was struck mute until the baby was born. When relatives wanted to name the baby after him, he wrote 'His name is John' and immediately his speech returned. He then prophesied (the Benedictus) about his son's role as forerunner of the Messiah.