Lexical Summary Shenatstsar: Shenazzar Original Word: שֶׁנְאַצַּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Senazar Apparently of Babylonian origin; Shenatstsar, an Israelite -- Senazar. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition uncle of Zerubbabel NASB Translation Shenazzar (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֶׁנְאַצַ֑ר proper name, masculine uncle of Zerubbabel 1 Chronicles 3:18, Σανεσαρ, ᵐ5L Σανασαρ (EMeyEntstehung 77 compare שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּר, but see NowHaggai 1:1). שׁנב (√ of following; meaning dubious). Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrence 1 Chronicles 3:18 lists Shenazzar among the sons of Jeconiah: “Malchiram, Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah.” Genealogical context Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) was the last Davidic king to sit on Judah’s throne before the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 24:8-15). The Chronicler records his sons to demonstrate that the royal line did not end when Jerusalem fell. Shenazzar therefore belongs to the first generation born in captivity, a living testimony that the covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) remained intact even in foreign lands. Historical backdrop Exiled in 597 BC, Jeconiah spent decades in Babylon, later receiving favor under Evil-merodach (2 Kings 25:27-30). Shenazzar, born during this period, would have grown up amid exiled Judeans who were learning to seek the Lord “with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). His name appears in no post-exilic narrative, implying either an early death or a life lived outside political prominence, yet his inclusion in the genealogy underscores that every branch of the house of David mattered for redemptive history. Possible identification with Sheshbazzar Some suggest Shenazzar could be the same individual as Sheshbazzar, “the prince of Judah” who brought temple vessels back from Babylon (Ezra 1:8-11). Both names share the Akkadian element nēṣar (“protect”) and fit the timeframe of the first return (538 BC). If so, Shenazzar/Sheshbazzar would have played a foundational role in restoring worship at Jerusalem. Scripture is silent on the equation, leaving the matter open but intriguing. Theological significance 1. Preservation of the Messianic line: Even obscure family members such as Shenazzar witness that God guarded David’s house, eventually culminating in the birth of the Messiah (Matthew 1:12). Lessons for ministry today • Serve faithfully even when visibility is limited; God records what men overlook. Related names in the passage Shealtiel and Pedaiah—brothers of Shenazzar—frame the textual tension concerning Zerubbabel’s paternity (1 Chronicles 3:19; Ezra 3:2). Their presence, together with Shenazzar, reminds readers of the complex and gracious ways God upholds lineage, inheritance, and promise. Summary Shenazzar’s lone biblical appearance anchors him firmly in the Davidic royal family during Judah’s darkest hour. Though silent in narrative, his inclusion strengthens the testimony that the Lord preserves His covenant seed, turns captivity into opportunity, and cherishes every link—however small—in the chain that leads to Christ. Forms and Transliterations וְשֶׁנְאַצַּ֑ר ושנאצר veshenatzTzar wə·šen·’aṣ·ṣar wəšen’aṣṣarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 3:18 HEB: וּמַלְכִּירָ֥ם וּפְדָיָ֖ה וְשֶׁנְאַצַּ֑ר יְקַמְיָ֥ה הוֹשָׁמָ֖ע NAS: Pedaiah, Shenazzar, Jekamiah, KJV: also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, INT: and Malchiram Pedaiah Shenazzar Jekamiah Hoshama 1 Occurrence |
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