Lexical Summary Sheshbatstsar: Of uncertain origin, possibly of Babylonian or Persian derivation. Original Word: שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sheshbazzar (Aramaic) corresponding to Sheshbatstsar -- Sheshbazzar. see HEBREW Sheshbatstsar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Sheshbatstsar Definition a prince of Judah NASB Translation Sheshbazzar (2). Topical Lexicon Historical Background Sheshbazzar emerges in the post-exilic narrative as the first Persian-appointed governor of Judah after the decree of Cyrus. His name appears twice in the Aramaic section of Ezra that records an official Persian response to accusations against the Judean returnees (Ezra 5:14, 16). These verses situate him at the pivotal transition between exile and restoration, when sacred temple articles taken by Nebuchadnezzar were returned and the altar’s foundations re-laid in Jerusalem. Sheshbazzar therefore belongs to the small company of faithful leaders who bridged the gap between the Babylonian captivity and the renewal of covenant worship in the land of promise. Role in Rebuilding the Temple The Persian record quoted by Governor Tattenai recounts that “King Cyrus removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles of the house of God and entrusted them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed governor” (Ezra 5:14). With those consecrated vessels, Sheshbazzar was charged to “take them and carry them to the temple in Jerusalem, and rebuild the house of God on its original site” (Ezra 5:15). Ezra 5:16 adds: “Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem.” His ministry thus includes two distinct achievements: 1. Custody and safe transport of the temple treasures, underscoring his integrity and trustworthiness before both Persia and Judah. Identity and Possible Equivalence with Zerubbabel Because Sheshbazzar’s work parallels that later attributed to Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:8–13; Haggai 2:2-4), many students have proposed they are the same individual, perhaps bearing a Babylonian throne-name (Sheshbazzar) alongside a Hebrew name (Zerubbabel). Others view them as successive governors, with Sheshbazzar opening the way and Zerubbabel completing the task once opposition temporarily stalled the work (Ezra 4:24). Scripture does not explicitly equate the two, but it presents no contradiction in either scenario; both men serve the single divine agenda of restoring worship according to the Law of Moses. Theological Themes 1. Faithfulness of God to His Promises: The return of the holy vessels through Sheshbazzar fulfills prophetic assurances that “the vessels of the Lord’s house” would come home (Jeremiah 27:22). Lessons for Today • Spiritual leadership sometimes involves preparatory tasks rather than visible completion; faithfulness at the foundational stage is indispensable. Key References Ezra 5:14; Ezra 5:15; Ezra 5:16; compare Ezra 3:8-13; Haggai 2:2-4; Jeremiah 27:22; Proverbs 21:1; Philippians 1:6 Forms and Transliterations לְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר לששבצר שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר ששבצר lə·šê·šə·baṣ·ṣar ləšêšəbaṣṣar lesheshebatzTzar šê·šə·baṣ·ṣar šêšəbaṣṣar sheshebatzTzarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 5:14 HEB: בָבֶ֔ל וִיהִ֙יבוּ֙ לְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר שְׁמֵ֔הּ דִּ֥י NAS: to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom KJV: unto [one], whose name [was] Sheshbazzar, whom he had made INT: of Babylon were given was Sheshbazzar name whom Ezra 5:16 2 Occurrences |
    |