Greek word · G2216

Ζοροβάβελ

zorobabel

Zerubbabel

Hebrew Zerubbavel, most likely from Akkadian Zēr-Bābili, "seed / offspring of Babylon." (Some suggest Hebrew zeruaʿ Bavel, "sown in Babylon"; the sense is similar.)

Appears 3 times in 3 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Ζοροβάβελ (FlJ, Ζοροβάβηλος, -ου), ὁ indecl. (Heb. זְרֻבָּבֶל),

Zerubbabel (1 Chronicles 3:19, al.): Matthew 1:12-13 Luke 3:27.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 1:12

Range of meaning

Hebrew Zerubbavel, most likely from Akkadian Zēr-Bābili, "seed / offspring of Babylon." (Some suggest Hebrew zeruaʿ Bavel, "sown in Babylon"; the sense is similar.)

Against the English

KJV "Zorobabel" follows the Greek; modern versions use the Hebrew "Zerubbabel."

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezra 2:2; 3:2–8; 4:2–3; 5:2; Nehemiah 7:7; 12:1, 47; Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 4:6–10; 1 Esdras 4–5 (the contest of the three guards, Sirach 49:11 praises him as "a signet ring on the right hand"). He was governor (peḥah) of the Persian province of Judah around 520 BC and led the rebuilding of the temple, finished in 515 BC.

From the study of Matthew 1:13

Range of meaning

The Greek form, taken from the Septuagint, of the Hebrew Zerubbabel. The name most likely goes back to the Akkadian (Babylonian) Zēr-Bābili, 'seed/offspring of Babylon': a Judean prince born in exile and given a Babylonian name.

Against the English

KJV's 'Zorobabel' copies the Greek spelling. An English reader may not realise this is the Zerubbabel of Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah. Modern versions restore the Hebrew spelling.

Used elsewhere in the period

He appears in Ezra 2:2, 3:2, 3:8 and 5:2, in Nehemiah 12:1, in Haggai 1–2 and in Zechariah 4. 1 Esdras 3–5 tells a legendary story of him as a guardsman of Darius who wins a wisdom contest. Sirach 49:11 praises him as 'a signet on the right hand'. 1 Chronicles 3:19 in the Hebrew text calls him a son of Pedaiah, Shealtiel's brother. The Septuagint and Ezra/Haggai call him Shealtiel's son.

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 1:12 Ζοροβαβέλ· Zerubbabel;

    After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

    Here: Most likely from Babylonian Zēr-Bābili, "seed (offspring) of Babylon." He was the Davidic heir who led returning exiles, became Persian governor of Judah and laid the foundation of the second temple. He is the last name in Matthew's list that also appears in the Old Testament.

  2. Matthew 1:13 Ζοροβαβὲλ Zerubbabel

    Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor.

    Here: The Davidic governor who led returning exiles and rebuilt the Jerusalem temple around 520–515 BC. His name is Babylonian, roughly 'offspring of Babylon'. He is the last person in Matthew's list who is well known from the Old Testament.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 3:27 Ζοροβαβὲλ of Zerubbabel

    the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.