Zerubbabel
Zerubbabel (Hebrew: זְרֻבָּבֶל, Zərubbāvel; Greek: ζοροβαβελ, Zŏrobabel) the leader of the first group of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian Captivity in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia (Ezra). A descendant of King David and grandson of Jehoiachin, next to last king of Judah, it was Zerubbabel who laid the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem the next year.
Zerubabbel became a figure of messianic hope in the early days of the rebuilding of the Temple of Jerusalem and later became a figure of legend, as recorded in he apocryphal book of 1 Esdras.
The Muslim historian Ya'qubi attributed the recovery of the Torah and the Books of the Prophets to him instead of Ezra.
Name and background
If the name Zerubbabel is Hebrew, it may be a contraction of Zərua‘ Bāvel (Hebrew: זְרוּעַ בָּבֶל), meaning "the one sown of Babylon," referring to a child conceived and born in Babylon. A similar meaning is derived from the name in Assyrian-Babylonian, since Zəru Bābel means "Seed of Babylon" in that language. It could also related to the Nebrew Zərûy Bāvel (Hebrew: זְרוּי בָּבֶל), meaning "the winnowed of Babylon," in the sense of having being exiled in Babylon.
Zerubbabel's grandfather Jehoiachin reigned in Jerusalem for only three months after replacing his father Jehoichim, who had died during the first seiege of Jerusalem. He was removed from office by the Babylonian army of King Nebuchadnezzar II and taken prisoner to Babylon. After 36 years in captivity (562 B.C.E.), he was removed from prison by the Babylonian King Amel-Marduk.
The Hebrew Bible lists Shealtiel as the second son of Jehoiachin King Jeconiah (1 Chronicles 3:17) and the father of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:2; 5:2; Nehemiah 12:1; Haggai 1:1, etc.) After the execution of Jeconiah's uncle Shealtiel would have been the legal heir to the throne, if the Davidic line was restored. Likewise, Zerubbabel, as Shealtiel's son, would have a strong claim to any restored Davidic monarchy.
However, the Bible has conflicting texts regarding whether Zerubbabel was actually the son of Shealtiel or of Pedaiah. Although the majority of the references confirm him as Shealtiel's son, one text makes Zerubbabel the nephew of Shealtiel (1 Chronicles 3:17-19) and the son of Pediah, Shealtiel's brother.
Some speculate that the title "son of Shealtiel" does not refer to Zerubbabel's being a biological son but to being a member in Shealtiel's "house." Thus both Zerubbabel (and his putative father Pedaiah) could be called a "son" of Shealtiel if they lived in Shealtiel's household. Alternatively, if Shealtiel had no biological children, Zerubbabel as a legal son could have inherited Shealtiel's position as the dynastic head of the Davidic line in exile. Another explanation is the simplest: that the text which identifies Zerubbabel as a son of Pedaiah could be a scribal error.
In any case, those texts that call Zerubbabel "son of Shealtiel" tend to emphasize Zerubbabel's potential royal claim to the Davidic throne by being Shealtiel's successor.
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 in Persia
A legend preserved in the apocryphal book of 1 Esdras describes the young Zerubbabel as among the wisest of men in Persia, in a story reminiscent of similar legends attributed to the prophet Daniel. According chapter 3:1-5:3 of this work Zerubbabel and two other young courtiers of King Darius agree to engage in a public dispute over the question of what is the strongest thing in the kingdom. The king approves of this contest and declares that the winner of the debate will receive great honor and royal favors. The contest is to be held in front of the king and the royal court.
The first contestant holds that wine is the strongest thing in the kingdom, because "it leads astray the minds of all who drink it. It makes equal the mind of the king and the orphan, of the slave and the free, of the poor and the rich." The second declares that men are the strongest thing in the kingdom, ruling over both land and sea; but he flatteringly adds that the king is even stronger, because "he is their lord and master, and whatever he says to them they obey." Zerubbabel then ironically argues that it is women who are strongest, since they giver birth to men and kings alike, and since men leave their mothers and fathers into to serve women as the wives. He then adds that Truth is even stronger than women. "The whole earth calls upon truth, and heaven blesses her... Truth endures and is strong for ever, and lives and prevails for ever and ever."
Darius concurs with Zerubbabel and, at his request, appoints him to lead a new wave of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem to complete the restoration of the Temple. Zerubbabel is also given sanction return the sacred vessels that Darius had preserved.
He is announced as the Prince of Judah upon his return to the Holy Land. One of the firm and long-standing followers and friends of the Prophet Isaiah, and descendant of the Davidic Dynasty.
Legacy
He achieved legendary status in Post-Exilic times, mentioned in Ecclesiasticus of Sirach (49:11) among the famous men of Israel.
He is the receiver of an apocalypse in the seventh century Apocalypse of Zerubbabel.
He plays a large role in Sholem Asch's final work The Prophet.
Zerubbabel in the New Testament
In the New Testament, Zerubbabel is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew's version of the Genealogy of Jesus, as "Zorobabel"); he is there said to be the son of Shealtiel (Greek "Salathiel"). Zerubbabel is again mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Verse 3:27 states that he is the son of Shealtiel.
| House of David Cadet Branch of the Tribe of Judah | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Shealtiel |
Leader of the House of David | Line lost |
| Matthew's Ancestry of Jesus - 11th ancestor from Jesus | Succeeded by: Abiud | |
| Luke's Ancestry of Jesus - 20th ancestor from Jesus | Succeeded by: Rhesa | |
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
- Easton's Bible Dictionary: Zerubbabel
- Jewish Encyclopedia: Zerubbabel
- Loeb Family Tree: Zerubbabel
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