Hebrew word · H2216

זְרֻבָּבֶ֫ל

zerubavel

Zerubbabel

A personal name, almost certainly Akkadian (the language of Babylon) Zēr-Bābili, 'seed/offspring of Babylon'. Names of this kind are common in Neo-Babylonian documents. An old Jewish explanation reads it in Hebrew as zeruaʿ Bavel, 'sown in Babylon', which comes to much the same thing.

Appears 21 times in 20 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at 1Ch.3.19;

son of: Pedaiah (H6305H);

brother of: Shimei (H8096J);

father of: Meshullam (H4918H), Hananiah (H2608L), Shelomith (H8019I), Hashubah (H2807), Ohel (H0169), Berechiah (H1296), Hasadiah (H2619), Jushab-hesed (H3142) and Abiud (G0010); also called Sheshbazzar at Ezr.1.8,11; 5.14,16; KJV: Zorobabel at Mat.1.12,13;

§ Zerubbabel = "sown in Babylon"

the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Ezra 2:2

Range of meaning

A personal name, almost certainly Akkadian (the language of Babylon) Zēr-Bābili, 'seed/offspring of Babylon'. Names of this kind are common in Neo-Babylonian documents. An old Jewish explanation reads it in Hebrew as zeruaʿ Bavel, 'sown in Babylon', which comes to much the same thing.

Against the English

All English versions simply transliterate the name. What English readers miss is that the name itself announces a man born and named in exile.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezra 3:2 and Haggai 1:1 call him 'son of Shealtiel'. 1 Chronicles 3:17–19 makes him son of Pedaiah, Shealtiel's brother, which suggests an adoption or a levirate arrangement (a brother raising a son in a dead brother's name). Either way he is a grandson of King Jehoiachin, who was exiled in 597 BC. Haggai calls him 'governor (peḥah) of Judah'. Haggai 2:23 names him the LORD's 'signet ring', which reverses the curse on Jehoiachin in Jeremiah 22:24. Zechariah 4:6–10 has him finishing the temple. The Babylonian 'Weidner tablets' record rations for Jehoiachin and his sons in Babylon, confirming that the royal family was kept at court.

From the study of Haggai 2:21

Range of meaning

A personal name, most likely the Akkadian Zēr-Bābili, 'seed/offspring of Babylon'. Some have proposed a Hebrew etymology, 'sown in Babylon', which comes to much the same thing.

Against the English

English readers see a name only. The first hearers heard a Babylonian name on a Judean prince of David's line.

Used elsewhere in the period

He is called son of Shealtiel (Hag 1:1; Ezra 3:2). 1 Chronicles 3:19 lists him as son of Pedaiah, Shealtiel's brother. That may reflect a levirate marriage (a brother fathering an heir for a dead brother) or a different way of reckoning the family line. Either way he is a grandson of Jehoiachin (Jeconiah). Ezra 2:2 and Nehemiah 7:7 list him among the leaders of the return.

From the study of Zechariah 4:9

Range of meaning

A personal name, probably Akkadian zēr-Bābili, 'seed/offspring of Babylon'. Zerubbabel was governor (peḥāh) of the Persian province of Yehud (Haggai 1:1), son of Shealtiel (Haggai, Ezra; 1 Chronicles 3:19 names Pedaiah, a known tension in the genealogies), and grandson of Jehoiachin, the exiled king of Judah.

Against the English

English readers often meet just a name. First hearers heard an heir of David in a Persian official's post.

Used elsewhere in the period

Haggai 1:1, 12–14; 2:2, 21–23 (where YHWH makes him a 'signet ring', reversing the curse on Jehoiachin in Jeremiah 22:24); Ezra 2:2; 3:2, 8; 4:2–3; 5:2; 1 Chronicles 3:17–19. He vanishes from the record before the temple's dedication in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15–18 does not name him), though Darius's decree speaks of an unnamed 'governor of the Jews' building it (Ezra 6:7).

Where it appears

1 Chronicles · 2

  1. 1 Chronicles 3:19 זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל זְרֻבָּבֶל֙ Zerubbabel

    The sons of Pedaiah: Zerubbabel and Shimei. The children of Zerubbabel: Meshullam and Hananiah, their sister Shelomith,

Ezra · 5

  1. Ezra 2:2 זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל Zerubbabel

    accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:

    Here: First-named leader. He was of the royal line of David (grandson of King Jehoiachin) and later governor of Judah (Haggai 1:1). His name is Babylonian, most likely 'seed/offspring of Babylon': a man born in exile.

  2. Ezra 3:2 וּזְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל and Zerubbabel

    Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.

    Here: The lay leader, a descendant of David through King Jehoiachin (1 Chr 3:17–19) and governor of Judah under Persia (Hag 1:1). The name is probably Babylonian, 'seed/offspring of Babylon', showing that he was born in exile.

  3. Ezra 3:8 זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל Zerubbabel

    In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.

  4. Ezra 4:2 זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל Zerubbabel

    they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here.”

    Here: The Davidic descendant and Persian-appointed governor who led the rebuilding. The name is Babylonian, probably meaning "seed of Babylon", which reflects his birth in exile.

  5. Ezra 4:3 זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל Zerubbabel

    But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.”

Nehemiah · 3

  1. Nehemiah 7:7 זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל Zerubbabel

    accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:

  2. Nehemiah 12:1 זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל Zerubbabel

    Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

  3. Nehemiah 12:47 זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל Zerubbabel

    So in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the singers and gatekeepers. They also set aside daily portions for the Levites, and the Levites set aside daily portions for the descendants of Aaron.

Haggai · 7

  1. Haggai 1:1 זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל Zerubbabel

    In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating

    Here: A Babylonian name, Zēr-Bābili, 'offspring of Babylon'. He was born in exile and was a grandson of the exiled King Jehoiachin (1 Chr 3:17–19), so he was the living heir of David's line.

  2. Haggai 1:12 זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל׀ Zerubbabel

    Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. So the people feared the LORD.

    Here: The Persian-appointed governor of Judah (1:1) and a grandson of King Jehoiachin, so a descendant of David. His name is most likely Babylonian, 'seed (offspring) of Babylon', a reminder that he was born in exile.

  3. Haggai 1:14 זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל Zerubbabel

    So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,

    Here: A Babylonian name, probably 'seed/offspring of Babylon', reflecting birth in exile. He was a grandson of King Jehoiachin, so he was the living heir of David's royal line (1 Chr 3:17–19; Hag 2:23).

  4. Haggai 2:2 זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל Zerubbabel

    “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and also to the remnant of the people. Ask them,

    Here: The civil leader of the returned community; a descendant of King David through Jehoiachin (1 Chr 3:17–19). His name is most likely Babylonian, “offspring of Babylon,” showing he was born in exile.

  5. Haggai 2:4 זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל׀ O Zerubbabel

    But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.

    Here: The Persian-appointed governor of Judah (1:1; 2:2) and a descendant of King David. His name is probably Babylonian, *Zēr-Bābili*, "seed of Babylon". He is named first because he is the civil leader responsible for the building.

  6. Haggai 2:21 זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל Zerubbabel

    “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth:

    Here: A Babylonian name, most likely from Akkadian Zēr-Bābili, 'offspring of Babylon'. It marks him as a man born in exile. He was also a grandson of King Jehoiachin, which made him the living heir of David's royal line (1 Chr 3:17–19).

  7. Haggai 2:23 זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל O Zerubbabel

    On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will take you, My servant, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and I will make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of Hosts.”

    Here: The governor of the Persian province of Judah and a grandson of the exiled king Jehoiachin. His name is probably Babylonian, "seed of Babylon", which marks him as born in exile.

Zechariah · 4

  1. Zechariah 4:6 זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל Zerubbabel

    So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

    Here: The Persian-appointed governor of Judah and grandson of King Jehoiachin, so an heir of David's line. His name is probably Babylonian, meaning 'offspring of Babylon'. He was born in exile, and he led the rebuilding of the temple.

  2. Zechariah 4:7 זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל Zerubbabel

    What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

    Here: The Persian-appointed governor of Judah and a descendant of King David, charged with rebuilding the temple (Haggai 1:1; Ezra 3:8; 5:2). The Babylonian-sounding name probably means "seed of Babylon".

  3. Zechariah 4:9 זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל Zerubbabel

    “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent me to you.

    Here: The Persian-appointed governor of Judah and a grandson of King Jehoiachin, so an heir of David's line. The name most likely comes from Akkadian zēr-Bābili, 'offspring of Babylon': he was born in exile.

  4. Zechariah 4:10 זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל Zerubbabel

    For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”

    Here: Governor of Yehud (the Persian province of Judah), a descendant of David born in exile. His name probably means 'seed of Babylon' in Akkadian, the language of Babylon. He is the builder-ruler, playing the role ancient kings played in temple building.

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