Bible Encyclopedias
Zerubbabel

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

Zerub´babel (sown in Babylon), called also 'Sheshbazzar, prince of Judah' (), son (comp. ) of Shealtiel, of the royal house of David (1 Chronicles 3), was the leader of the first colony of Jews that returned from captivity to their native land under the permission of Cyrus, carrying with them the precious vessels belonging to the service of God. With the aid of Joshua and his body of priests, Zerubbabel proceeded, on his arrival in Palestine, to rebuild the fallen city, beginning with the altar of burnt-offerings, in order that the daily services might be restored. The Samaritans, however, having been offended at being expressly excluded from a share in the land, did all they could to hinder the work, and even procured from the Persian court an order that it should be stopped. Accordingly, everything remained suspended till the second year of Darius Hystaspis (B.C. 521), when the restoration was resumed and carried to completion, according to Josephus, owing to the influence of Zerubbabel with the Persian monarch (Antiq. xi. 3; Ezra; ; ; ).

 

 

 

 

Bibliography Information
Kitto, John, ed. Entry for 'Zerubbabel'. "Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature". https://www.studylight.org/​encyclopedias/​eng/​kbe/​z/zerubbabel.html.