Bible Character Studies: Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin (Jeconiah), the penultimate king of Judah. He was the rightful leader of Judah because he was in the family line of David (1 Chron. 3:17), he didn’t serve as king because of the curse on Jehoiachin’s line (Jer. 22:24-30). (This curse was bypassed in the Messianic line to Christ because His lineage was traced through David’s son, Nathan.) Therefore he is known only as the governor, a role to which he was appointed. He was the political ruler, whereas Joshua (Jeshua) the High Priest is the religious leader who is always associated with him.

His name doesn’t have the usual godly endings like ‘ah’ from Jehovah, or ‘el’ from Elohim. It means, ‘offspring of Babylon’, which indicates his place of birth. His father is Shealtiel. His mother is not named. He led the first group of Jews back from captivity in Babylon to Jerusalem. He laid the foundation of the second temple.

God through Zechariah tells them not to despise the day of small things and encourages Zerubbabel by saying, “’Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of Hosts.” Zech. 4:6b He says that as Zerubbabel has begun to lay the foundation of the temple, he will also finish it.

His name appears in both genealogies of Jesus, in the New Testament. )Matt. 1:12-13, Luke 3:27) He is also mentioned by name in the books of Haggai and Zechariah. (Hag. 1:1,12,14, 2:4,21,23, Zech. 4:6,7,9,10) In them, he is encouraged by God Himself to be strong, because He is with them. He is commended as being obedient, and also having his spirit stirred by God, to enable him to work on the house of God. God refers to Zerubbabel as His signet ring, because He has chosen him.

‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Hag. 2:23

A signet ring was a symbol of honour authority, and power. It was used to seal letters and decrees. Joseph had been given Pharaoh’s signet ring (Gen. 41:41-43,1 Kings 21:8,Est. 8:8, Dan. 6:17-READ). It was similar to a king’s scepter. By referring to Zerubbabel in this way, God was saying that he was His official representative of David’s dynasty and represented the resumption of the Messianic line which had been interrupted by the exile.