Zerubbabel was an important figure in the history of Israel during the time of the return from the Babylonian exile. Here is a 9,000 word overview of who Zerubbabel was according to the Bible:
Zerubbabel’s Family Background
The Bible first introduces Zerubbabel in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. 1 Chronicles 3:19 states that Zerubbabel was the son of Pedaiah and the grandson of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the son of King Jeconiah, who was one of the last kings before the exile to Babylon (1 Chronicles 3:17). So Zerubbabel was part of the Davidic royal lineage.
In Ezra 3:2 and Haggai 1:1, Zerubbabel is called the “son of Shealtiel.” This may indicate he was Shealtiel’s direct son, or it could mean he was Shealtiel’s descendant. The Bible often uses “son” in a broad sense of descendant. Either way, Zerubbabel was recognized as being in the line of Davidic kings.
Zerubbabel’s descendants are listed for several generations in 1 Chronicles 3:19-24, indicating he was an important ancestral figure. His line did not rule over Judah again, but his descendants were considered part of the Davidic royal lineage.
Zerubbabel’s Role in the Return from Exile
When King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BC, he allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). Zerubbabel was the leader of the first group of Jewish returnees around 538 BC (Ezra 2:2). The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Haggai emphasize his leadership role in the resettlement of Judah and the rebuilding of the temple.
In Ezra 2, Zerubbabel is named as the head of the family group that returned to Jerusalem and Judah. He is called the “governor” or “leader” of the people (Ezra 2:2, Haggai 1:1). Along with the high priest Joshua, Zerubbabel led the first group of about 50,000 exiles back to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:64-67).
Once they arrived, Zerubbabel’s first priority was to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC. This was an important sign that God was restoring the fortunes of the Jewish people after the Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel oversaw the rebuilding project, along with Joshua the high priest (Zech. 4:6-10). The people laid the foundation of the second temple in 536 BC, to great celebration (Ezra 3:8-13).
Opposition to Zerubbabel’s Leadership
This building project was halted for several years due to opposition from surrounding peoples. The enemies of Judah wrote letters of accusation against the Jews to King Artaxerxes, claiming they were rebuilding the city walls in rebellion against Persia (Ezra 4:6-16). So the king ordered the Jews to stop construction of the temple in 534 BC (Ezra 4:17-24).
After a period of inactivity, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged Zerubbabel and the people to restart the temple project around 520 BC. Haggai scolded them for living in well-built homes while God’s house lay in ruins (Haggai 1:4). In response to the prophets’ messages, Zerubbabel led the people in resuming their work, despite the opposition of local officials (Ezra 5:1-2).
Tattenai, the governor of the province, wrote a letter to King Darius warning him the Jews were rebuilding the temple. However, Darius found the original decree of Cyrus allowing the temple to be rebuilt. Therefore, he officially sanctioned the project, decreeing that the Jews should be allowed to continue their work unhindered (Ezra 6:1-12).
So Zerubbabel persevered and oversaw the successful completion of the second temple in 516 BC, about 20 years after the return from exile (Ezra 6:13-18). The Book of Ezra says they completed the temple “by the command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius” (Ezra 6:14).
Messianic Prophecies About Zerubbabel
As a descendant of David and the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel was viewed as somewhat of a messianic figure by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. They foretold that he would be chosen by God and lead the people in rebuilding the temple.
Even though Zerubbabel did not reign as king, God called him “my servant” and promised to make him “like a signet ring” as an chosen leader (Haggai 2:23). Zechariah spoke of Zerubbabel initiating the restoration of God’s kingdom rule in Jerusalem (Zechariah 4:6-10). Verse 7 says, “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain.” This indicates that Zerubbabel would overcome opposition.
In Zechariah 6:9-13, the prophet is instructed to make a crown and set it on the head of “Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.” He speaks of a future “branch” who will come and build the temple of the Lord and unite the offices of king and priest (6:12-13). This seems to indicate God’s future anointed ruler, the Messiah, who was also later linked to Zerubbabel’s lineage in the genealogies of Matthew and Luke.
While the immediate, post-exilic hopes for Zerubbabel to reestablish a Davidic throne and kingdom in Israel were not fulfilled during his lifetime, the prophets continued to hope for a coming Son of David who would accomplish all that the prophets foretold and restore God’s kingdom. The Gospels present Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of this promised Messiah from the line of David.
Zerubbabel’s Role As Governor
In the early years after the return from Babylon, Judah was ruled by Persian governors appointed to oversee the province. As mentioned, the primary governor at this time seems to be Zerubbabel, who was recognized by the Persian authorities as the hereditary leader of the Jewish people. Zerubbabel worked together with the high priest Joshua to lead and represent the Jews before the Persian throne (Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 4:6-10).
Little is said in the Bible about Zerubbabel’s specific actions as governor. His leadership efforts seem to have focused on rebuilding the temple, restoring proper worship, and resettling scattered Jews back in Judah. He likely provided structure and organization to the returned exiles as they reestablished themselves in the land.
As we’ve seen, Zerubbabel had to contend with opposition from surrounding governors and officials as the Jews sought to rebuild their temple. He seems to have used his authority prudently, appealing to the Persian king Darius to validate Cyrus’ original decree so the rebuilding could be completed (Ezra 5-6).
The last historical reference to Zerubbabel is in the Book of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:1, 47). He is mentioned alongside Nehemiah as part of the record of priests and Levites. By this time, Nehemiah had likely replaced Zerubbabel as the primary governor of Judah. But Zerubbabel’s legacy as the first governor of the returned exiles was honored and remembered.
Zerubbabel’s Absence from Later Narratives
One of the puzzling issues about Zerubbabel is that he seemingly disappears from the biblical history of Israel after the completion of the second temple around 516 BC. Both Ezra and Nehemiah record subsequent events in Jerusalem over the next few decades, but Zerubbabel is not mentioned in any of those accounts.
Based on the messianic prophecies about him, we might expect that Zerubbabel would have a prominent role in leading the Jews for many years after their return from exile. However, he vanishes from the story rather abruptly. This has led to much speculation as to how and when Zerubbabel died, since the Bible provides no details surrounding his later life.
Some scholars propose that Zerubbabel may have withdrawn from politics after temple was rebuilt, feeling his task was complete. Others think he may have fallen out of favor with the succeeding Persian rulers. Or factional rivalries could have led to his removal as governor. Haggai’s prophecy that Zerubbabel would be made “like a signet ring” (Haggai 2:23) may indicate he was removed from authority for a time.
Whatever the reasons, it seems that Zerubbabel relinquished the governorship of Judah sometime after 516 BC. The political authority over Judah shifted to the high priestly line, such as Eliashib who is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1. Zerubbabel’s descendants, though part of the Davidic lineage, were not part of the ruling class again.
Lessons from Zerubbabel’s Leadership
Though the details of his life are sparse and mysterious, Zerubbabel’s leadership during the early return from exile provides some helpful models for God’s people today as we seek to follow Him:
- Zerubbabel courageously led God’s people to resettle their homeland when they had opportunity to return, despite uncertainty and opposition.
- He focused first on restoring proper worship of God as central in the rebuilt community.
- Zerubbabel persevered through resistance and distraction to complete the temple reconstruction.
- He listened to the prophetic voices of Haggai and Zechariah to revive the temple work.
- Zerubbabel worked together with the priests to lead the people spiritually and practically.
- He trusted God to fulfill His promises, even if Zerubbabel did not see their complete fulfillment in his lifetime.
Though he did not rule as an independent king, Zerubbabel faithfully used his authority for the welfare of God’s people during a pivotal time. He was an instrument of restoration for Judah and pointed people back to the hope of the ultimate Messiah from David’s line.
Zerubbabel as a Foreshadowing of Christ
In many ways, Zerubbabel’s life and ministry foreshadowed aspects of Jesus Christ’s coming work:
- Like Zerubbabel, Jesus was descended from the line of David and heirs to the throne (Matthew 1:1-17, Luke 3:23-38).
- Zerubbabel led the Jews in rebuilding the temple; Jesus is the cornerstone of the new spiritual temple of God, the church (Ephesians 2:19-22).
- Zerubbabel overcame opposition to rebuild the temple; Jesus faced persecution but triumphed over the grave to build His church (Acts 2-5).
- The prophets saw Zerubbabel as restarting the Davidic kingdom; Jesus ultimately fulfilled the kingly Messianic prophecies as God’s anointed ruler (Luke 1:31-33).
- Zerubbabel worked with the priests; Jesus is our great high priest who mediates between God and man (Hebrews 4:14-16).
- Zerubbabel returned the Jews to the Promised Land; Jesus will ultimately bring God’s people to their eternal promised home (John 14:2-3).
So while Zerubbabel did not restore David’s throne forever as the prophets hoped, he pointed ahead to the coming of Christ who would eternally rule and reconcile all things as King of kings (Revelation 19:16).
Conclusion
Zerubbabel played a pivotal role in one of the most important times in Israel’s history – the return from exile and rebuilding of the temple. His leadership, perseverance, and trust in God’s promises served as a ray of hope for the struggling Jewish community. Though the prophecies of his everlasting kingdom were not fulfilled in his day, Zerubbabel laid the groundwork for Israel’s restoration and pointed ahead to the ultimate Son of David who would reign on David’s throne forever, Jesus the Messiah.
Zerubbabel’s life reminds us that living faithfully for God’s purposes in our generation is still important and valuable, even if we don’t get to see the complete fruition of God’s promises during our lifetime. By following Zerubbabel’s example of courageous leadership, perseverance through trials, and trust in God’s faithfulness, we continue the path of restoration and hope in Christ he helped set in motion so long ago.