Probably son of Pedaiah, and nephew and heir of Salathiel, or Shealtiel, though called his son. Be was a 'prince of Judah,' and he apparently held some office in Persia as he is called SHESHBAZZAR. Ezra 1:8-11 . He was head of the Jews who volunteered to return from exile, under the decree of Cyrus. To Zerubbabel was also committed the charge of 5,400 vessels of gold and silver that had been carried away from Jerusalem.
An altar was erected, and sacrifices offered; but the foundation of the temple was not laid till the second year. Then the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin came and wanted to assist in the building of the temple; but Zerubbabel and those with him declined their help. This act of faithfulness drew upon them the open opposition of their enemies, who also obtained authority from Persia to stop the work, though apparently they had ceased to build before this took place.
It was not resumed for about fifteen years, till Zerubbabel's faith was roused to renewed energy by the rebukes and appeals of the prophet Haggai, and by the glorious promises addressed to him by Zechariah.
Zerubbabel was aided by Jeshua the high priest, and at once began to build. When questioned by the Persian governors as to their authority for so doing they nobly replied, "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth." Cyrus had made a decree that the temple should be built; but God's word to Zerubbabel was "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts."
Darius was now on the throne, and on the rulers writing to Persia, he ordered them to let the work alone, and directed that the expenses of the Jews should be paid out of the royal revenue. The house was finished in the sixth year of Darius, and dedicated with joy. Jehovah had said, "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it." Zechariah 4:6-10 .
We do not read of Zerubbabel after this. In Zechariah 4 this son of David is taken as a type of Christ, the promised Son of David, who will be the cause in a yet future day of the temple being built with shoutings, of "Grace, grace unto it." The name Zerubbabel has been interpreted both 'dispersed in Babylon,' and 'blessed in Babylon.' 1 Chronicles 3:19; Ezra 2:2 to Ezra 5:2; Nehemiah 7:7; Nehemiah 12:1,47; Haggai 1:1,14; Haggai 2:2-23 . He is called ZOROBABELin Matthew 1:12,13; Luke 3:27 .