Return from exile, Persian Empire · around 538–516 BC
Zerubbabel in the Bible
The governor who led the exiles home and rebuilt the temple. Name meaning: Meaning not given in the Bible; a descendant of King Jeconiah, son of Shealtiel (Salathiel in the New Testament)
A descendant of King Jeconiah, Zerubbabel returns from exile to Jerusalem with Joshua the high priest. As governor of Judah, he rebuilds the altar, lays the foundation of the temple, and then restarts a stalled project, urged on by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” (Zech 4:6). He appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matt 1:12-13).
Key moments
- He returns from exile with Joshua Ezra 2:2
- He rebuilds the altar and burnt offerings are offered on it Ezra 3:2–3
- He begins the work on the temple Ezra 3:8
- He refuses the help of Judah’s adversaries Ezra 4:3
- The LORD stirs up his spirit Haggai 1:14
- “Be strong, O Zerubbabel!” Haggai 2:4
- “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit” Zechariah 4:6
- “I will make thee as a signet” Haggai 2:23
Strengths
- Obedience to the word
- Perseverance
- Firmness
- Dependence on the Spirit
Weaknesses
The Bible charges him with no failing. Even so, the work stays stopped until the second year of Darius (Ezra 4:24); it is the LORD who stirs up his spirit (Hag 1:14) and then urges him, “be strong, O Zerubbabel” (Hag 2:4).
Lessons for today
- God’s work advances “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit”: dependence on the Spirit comes before human means (Zech 4:6).
- Do not neglect God’s house for your own: “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your paneled houses, and this house lie waste?” (Hag 1:4).
- Stay faithful to the order you were given: Zerubbabel and Joshua turn down the offer of the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin and hold to what King Cyrus commanded (Ezra 4:1-3).
- Do not despise “the day of small things”: the hands that laid the foundation of the house will finish it (Zech 4:9-10).
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.
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:
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.
People around Zerubbabel
- Joshua son of Jozadak — The high priest who leads the work with him
- Haggai — The prophet who brings him the word of the LORD
- Zechariah — The prophet of the vision of the golden lampstand
- Cyrus — King of Persia whose decree allows the return
- Jeconiah — The deported king of Judah from whom he descends
- Darius — King of Persia under whom the work resumes
Quiz: how well do you know Zerubbabel?
According to Haggai, whose son was Zerubbabel?
Haggai addresses “Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah.” Jozadak is the father of Joshua, and Iddo the father of Zechariah. Haggai 1:1
What title does Haggai give Zerubbabel?
The word came “unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest.” Haggai 1:1
Which high priest led the work with Zerubbabel?
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God at Jerusalem. Ezra 5:2
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