Lexical Summary Zorobabel: Zerubbabel Original Word: Ζοροβάβελ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ZerubbabelOf Hebrew origin (Zrubbabel); Zorobabel (i.e. Zerubbabel), an Israelite -- Zorobabel. see HEBREW Zrubbabel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof Hebrew origin Zerubbabel Definition Zerubbabel, an Isr. NASB Translation Zerubbabel (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2216: ΖοροβαβέλΖοροβαβέλ, in Josephus, Ζοροβαβηλος, Ζοροβαβελου, ὁ, (זְרֻבָּבֶל, i. e. either for זְרוּבָבֶל dispersed in Babylonia or for בָּבֶל זְרוּעַ begotten in Babylonia), Zerubbabel, Vulg.Zorobabel, a descendant of David, the leader of the first colony of the Jews on their return from the Babylonian exile: Matthew 1:12; Luke 3:27. Topical Lexicon Name and Lineage Zorobabel (Ζοροβάβελ) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Zerubbabel, meaning “seed/offspring of Babylon.” Born in exile, he is a direct descendant of King David through Jeconiah (also called Jehoiachin). Thus, he stands at a crucial juncture where the Davidic line survives the Babylonian captivity and re-emerges in the land of Judah. In both Matthew 1:12-13 and Luke 3:27 he appears in the legal and biological genealogies that affirm Jesus Christ as the rightful Davidic heir. Occurrences in the New Testament • Matthew 1:12-13 places Zorobabel in the royal succession: “After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel…”. Though only three references appear, they knit Old Testament expectation to New Testament fulfillment, underscoring God’s unbroken covenant purposes. Old Testament Background Zerubbabel is introduced in Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah as governor of the repatriated community (circa 538-520 BC). Leading roughly fifty thousand exiles back to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7), he spearheaded the reconstruction of the temple’s foundation (Ezra 3:8-13). Opposition, discouragement, and imperial edicts stalled the work for years until prophets Haggai and Zechariah rekindled the effort. Under Zerubbabel’s leadership the second temple was completed in 516 BC (Ezra 6:15). Role in Post-Exilic Renewal 1. Political Head: While not a king, he governed Judah under Persian authority, preserving continuity with the house of David. Messianic Trajectory and Theological Themes Prophecies cast Zerubbabel in forward-looking language: These passages elevate him as a sign of restored royal authority and anticipate the ultimate Messiah. By incorporating Zorobabel into Jesus’ genealogy, the New Testament testifies that the promises surrounding the signet ring and the completed temple converge in Christ, whose body is the true temple and whose kingdom is everlasting. Practical Ministry Lessons • God preserves His promises across generations and geopolitical upheavals. Concluding Reflection Zorobabel’s brief New Testament mention belies his vast theological weight. He embodies continuity between exile and restoration, between promise and fulfillment, and ultimately between the house of David and the advent of Jesus Christ. His life encourages believers to trust the sovereign God who weaves individual faithfulness into the grand tapestry of redemption. Forms and Transliterations Ζοροβαβελ Ζοροβαβέλ Ζοροβάβελ Zorobabel ZorobábelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 1:12 NGRK: ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ζοροβάβελ NAS: the father of Zerubbabel. KJV: Salathiel begat Zorobabel; INT: was father of Zerubbabel Matthew 1:13 N Luke 3:27 N |
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