Zerubbabel
maleReturnMeaning: “Seed (or born) of Babylon”
The governor of Judah who led the first return from Babylon and rebuilt the temple, encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah — a key link in the line of the Messiah.
Biography
Zerubbabel, a prince of the house of David, led the first wave of Jewish exiles back from Babylon and oversaw the rebuilding of the temple — a pivotal figure in the restoration of the post-exilic community and a link in the messianic line.
Rebuilding the temple
Appointed governor, Zerubbabel led some fifty thousand exiles home and, with the high priest Joshua, rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the second temple (Ezra 3). When opposition halted the work for years, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred the people to finish it.
"Not by might, nor by power"
To Zerubbabel, facing a mountain of difficulty, came one of Scripture's great words of encouragement: "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). The temple was completed and dedicated with joy (Ezra 6:15–16).
Link in the royal line
God called Zerubbabel His "signet" (Haggai 2:23), and he appears in the genealogies of Jesus in both Matthew and Luke (Matthew 1:12), carrying the Davidic promise forward through the exile.
Life Timeline
Leads the first return of exiles from Babylon
Lays the foundation of the second temple
Completes the rebuilt temple
On the Bible timeline
Zerubbabel belongs to the The Babylonian Exile era (c. 586 – 538 BC).
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
- 538 BCThe Return from Exile
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Zerubbabel
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Zerubbabel appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
24 verses in 7 books1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 3:19
And the sons of Pedaiah were, Zerubbabel, and Shimei: and the sons of Zerubbabel; Meshullam, and Hananiah, and Shelomith their sister:
Ezra6 verses
Ezra 2:2
Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: Seraiah: also called, Azariah, nehe.7.7.
Ezra 3:2
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. Jeshua: also called, Joshua Zerubbabel: Gr. Zorobabel Shealtiel: Gr. Salathiel
Ezra 3:8
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Ezra 4:2
Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.
Ezra 4:3
But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
Ezra 5:2
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
Nehemiah3 verses
Nehemiah 7:7
Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this; Azariah: or, Seraiah
Nehemiah 12:1
Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,
Nehemiah 12:47
And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron. sanctified: that is, set apart
Haggai7 verses
Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, by: Heb. by the hand of governor: or, captain
Haggai 1:12
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
Haggai 1:14
And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
Haggai 2:2
Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
Haggai 2:4
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
Haggai 2:21
Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
Haggai 2:23
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah4 verses
Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. might: or, army
Zechariah 4:7
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Zechariah 4:9
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Zechariah 4:10
For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth. for they: or, since the seven eyes of the Lord shall rejoice plummet: Heb. stone of tin
Matthew2 verses
Matthew 1:12
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
Matthew 1:13
And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
Luke1 verse
Luke 3:27
Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,
Frequently asked about Zerubbabel
Who was Zerubbabel in the Bible?
The governor of Judah who led the first return from Babylon and rebuilt the temple, encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah — a key link in the line of the Messiah.
What does the name Zerubbabel mean?
The name Zerubbabel means “Seed (or born) of Babylon”.
What did Zerubbabel do in the Bible?
Zerubbabel served as governor of judah, of the tribe of Judah.
Who were Zerubbabel's parents?
Zerubbabel was the child of Shealtiel.
Where does Zerubbabel appear in the Bible?
Zerubbabel is mentioned 24 times across 7 books: 1 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Matthew, Luke.
What can we learn from Zerubbabel?
The story of Zerubbabel touches on themes of zerubbabel, shealtiel, temple, the second, olive tree — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Zerubbabel's life.
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