Who is…
Zerubbabel

also known as: Zorobabel and Sheshbazzar (his Persian name)

Hebrew: זְרֻבָּבֶל —transliteration: Zerubbabel —meaning: seed of Babylon; begotten in Babylon

He is a prominent royal descendant of King David through Solomon and Jeconiah.

His name is spelled “Zorobabel” in Matthew 1:12 KJV.

Zerubbabel is called the son of Salathiel or Shealtiel in Haggai 1:1 KJV. However, in Chronicles he is called the son of Pedaiah (1 Chronicles 3:17-19). Both are true, according to the frequent Hebrew usage of the word “son.” He was a grandson or nephew of Salathiel, and the son of Pedaiah.

Zerubbabel is also known by the Persian name of Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8, 11).

In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, he led the first band of Jews, numbering 42,360 (Ezra 2:64), exclusive of a large number of servants, who returned from captivity at the close of the 70 years.

Zerubbabel is closely associated with the high priest who returned with him, Joshua (Jeshua) son of Jehozadak (Jozadak).

In the 2nd year after the Return, he erected an altar and laid the foundation of the Second Temple on the ruins of that which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezra 3:8-13; Ezra 4-6).

All through the work, he occupied a prominent place, inasmuch as he was a descendant of the royal line of David.

This prince is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ…

KING DAVIDKing SolomonKing RehoboamKing Abijah (Abijam) → King AsaKing JehoshaphatKing Jehoram (Joram) → King Ahaziah (Uzziah) → King JothamKing AhazKing HezekiahKing ManassehKing AmonKing Josiah → Jeconiah (Jechonias, Jehoiachin, Jekonjah, Coniah, Neri) → Prince ShealtielPrince Zerubbabel → Prince Abiud (Abihud) → Governor Eliakim → Azor → Zadok → Achim → Eliud → EleazarMatthanJacobJOSEPH, the adoptive, legal father of of Jesus Christ

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Article Version: September 29, 2024