Zerubbabel - Definition and Overview

Zerubbabel (Hebrew for "Seed of Babylon"), is a Biblical figure who is an important figure in the Book of Ezra, also being mentioned in the Books of Haggai and 1 Chronicles, and the Gospel of Matthew. He is alternately said to be the son of Shealtiel (or Salathiel, per Matthew) or of Pedaiah, and was also known by the Persian name of Sheshbazzar.

Zerubbabel was a direct descendant of Jehoiachin, the second to last King of Judah, and, according to Ezra, in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia, he led the first band of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian Captivity. Zerubbabel was also noted for laying the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem the next year. He disappears from history shortly thereafter.