Zerubbabel ("Seed of Babylon", an Assyrian-Babylonian name, according to the Jewish Encyclopedia, also known by the Persian name of Sheshbazzar), was the grandson of Jehoiachin, the second to last King of Judah. Zerubbabel led the first band of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian Captivity in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia (Ezra). Zerubbabel was also noted for laying the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem the next year. He disappears from history shortly thereafter.

Whether the identity of Zerubbabel with Sheshbazzar, "the prince of Judah" and leader of the first great band of exiles returning to Jerusalem is correct is discussed in the Jewish Encyclopedia.

Zerubbabel is also mentioned in the Books of Haggai (1:10) and 1 Chronicles (3.17-19, where he is said to be the son of Pedaiah—a scribal error, according to the compilers of the Jewish Encyclopedia 1908). He achieved legendary status in Post-Exilic times, mentioned in Ecclesiasticus of Sirach (xlix. 11) among the famous men of Israel. In the New Testament, Zerubbabel is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:12, as "Zorobabel"); he is alternately said to be the son of Shealtiel (or Salathiel , according to Matthew).

External links

• Easton's Bible Dictionary: Zerubbabel]
• Jewish Encyclopedia: Zerubbabel