Sheshbazzar is a biblical figure mentioned in the context of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity. His role is primarily documented in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where he is associated with the initial efforts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. The identity and role of Sheshbazzar have been subjects of scholarly discussion, particularly regarding his relationship to Zerubbabel, another key figure in the post-exilic period.

Biblical References:

1. Ezra 1:8-11 : Sheshbazzar is introduced as the prince of Judah to whom King Cyrus of Persia entrusted the temple articles that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem. "Cyrus king of Persia had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah" (Ezra 1:8). This passage highlights Sheshbazzar's significant role in the restoration of the temple's sacred vessels, marking the beginning of the Jewish return to their homeland.

2. Ezra 5:14-16 : In this passage, Sheshbazzar is credited with laying the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem. "And the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and had carried to Babylon, King Cyrus brought out of Babylon and gave to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed governor" (Ezra 5:14). This indicates his official capacity as governor and his leadership in the initial phase of the temple's reconstruction.

Identity and Role:

Sheshbazzar's identity is somewhat enigmatic, with debates surrounding whether he and Zerubbabel are the same person or distinct individuals. Some scholars suggest that Sheshbazzar might have been the Babylonian or Persian name for Zerubbabel, while others propose that Sheshbazzar was an older leader who began the work that Zerubbabel later continued. The text does not provide a definitive answer, leaving room for interpretation.

Historical Context:

The return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the temple occurred during the reign of Cyrus the Great, who issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple (Ezra 1:1-4). Sheshbazzar's appointment as governor and his role in transporting the temple articles underscore the Persian policy of supporting local religious practices as a means of stabilizing their vast empire.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, Sheshbazzar's actions are seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people and their worship in Jerusalem. His leadership in laying the temple's foundation symbolizes the renewal of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple are pivotal events in Jewish history, reflecting themes of redemption, restoration, and divine faithfulness.

Conclusion:

While Sheshbazzar's precise identity and the extent of his contributions remain subjects of scholarly debate, his role as a leader in the early stages of the post-exilic restoration is clear. His actions set the stage for the subsequent efforts to reestablish the Jewish community and its religious life in Jerusalem.Sheshbazzar

joy in tribulation; joy of the vintage

Sheshbazzar

(worshipper of fire), the Chaldean or Persian name given to Zerubbabel in (Ezra 1:8,11; 6:14,18) [ZERUBBABEL]

Sheshbazzar

See ZERUBBABEL.

O sun-god, defend the lord! (Ezra 1:8, 11), probably another name for Zerubbabel (q.v.), Ezra 2:2; Haggai 1:12, 14; Zechariah 4:6, 10SHESHBAZZAR

shesh-baz'-ar (shesh-batstsar or sheshbatstsar): Sheshbazzar is the Hebrew or Aramaic form of the Babylonian Shamash-aba-ucur, or Shamash-bana-ucur: "Oh Shamash, protect the father." It is possible that the full name was Shamash-ban-zeri-Babili-ucur, "Oh Shamash, protect the father (builder) of the seed of Babylon." (See Zerubbabel, and Compare the Babylonian names Ashur-banaucur, Ban-ziri, Nabu-ban-ziri, Shamash-ban-apli, Shamash-apil-ucur, Shamash-ban-achi, and others in Tallquist's Neubabylonisches Namenbuch, and the Aramaic names on numbers 35, 44, 36, and 45 of Clay's Aramaic Dockets.) If this latter was the full name, there would be little doubt that Sheshbazzar may have been the same person as Zerubbabel, since the former is called in Ezra 5:14 the governor of Judah, and the latter is called by the same title in Haggai 1:1, 14; Haggai 2:2, 21. It is more probable, however, that Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel were different persons, and that Sheshbazzar was governor of Judah in the time of Cyrus and Zerubbabel in that of Darius. It is possible that Sheshbazzar came to Jerusalem in the time of Cyrus and laid the foundations, and that Zerubbabel came later in the time of Darius Hystaspis and completed the building of the temple (compare Ezra 2:68; Ezra 4:2 Haggai 1:14).

According to Ezra 1:8 Sheshbazzar was the prince (Hannasi) of Judah into whose hands Cyrus put the vessels of the house of the Lord which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem and had put in the house of his gods. It is further said in 1:11 that Sheshbazzar brought these vessels with them of the captivity which he brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem. In Ezra 5:14 it is said that these vessels had been delivered by Cyrus unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor (pechah), and that Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God which was in Jerusalem.

See SANABASSAR.

R. Dick Wilson

8339. Sheshbatstsar -- a prince of Judah
... Sheshbatstsar. 8340 . a prince of Judah. Transliteration: Sheshbatstsar Phonetic
Spelling: (shaysh-bats-tsar') Short Definition: Sheshbazzar. ... Sheshbazzar. ...
/hebrew/8339.htm - 6k

8340. Sheshbatstsar -- a prince of Judah
... Sheshbatstsar. 8341 . a prince of Judah. Transliteration: Sheshbatstsar Phonetic
Spelling: (shaysh-bats-tsar') Short Definition: Sheshbazzar. ... Sheshbazzar. ...
/hebrew/8340.htm - 6k

The Eve of the Restoration
... house of his gods; 8. Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand
of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the eve of the restoration.htm

Rebuilding the Temple
... of Jehovah, which Nebuchadrezzar had carried from Jerusalem, brought out under the
direction of Mithredath, the treasurer, and given to Sheshbazzar, the prince ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/rebuilding the temple.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... Upon Zerubbabel (known also as Sheshbazzar), a descendant of King David, Cyrus placed
the responsibility of acting as governor of the company returning to Judea ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

The Historical Books.
... common for men to bear different titles, particularly if they were persons of
distinction; as, for example, Daniel and Belteshazzar, Zerubbabel and Sheshbazzar ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Iranian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Sheshbazzar (4 Occurrences)
... (Ezra 1:8, 11), probably another name for Zerubbabel (qv), Ezra 2:2; Haggai 1:12,
14; Zechariah 4:6, 10. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHESHBAZZAR. ...
/s/sheshbazzar.htm - 10k

Shesh-baz'zar (4 Occurrences)
Shesh-baz'zar. Sheshbazzar, Shesh-baz'zar. Sheth . ... All these did Sheshbazzar
bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem ...
/s/shesh-baz'zar.htm - 7k

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)
... grandson or the nephew of Salathiel. He is also known by the Persian name
of Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:8, 11). In the first year of Cyrus ...
/z/zerubbabel.htm - 20k

Tirshatha (5 Occurrences)
... In Nehemiah 8:9; Nehemiah 10:1, Nehemiah is called the tirshatha'. In Ezra 2:63
Nehemiah 7:65, 70, it is the title of Sheshbazzar, or Zerubbabel. ...
/t/tirshatha.htm - 10k

Sanabassarus
... to Jerusalem and "laid the foundations of the house of the Lord" for the first time
since its destruction (1 Esdras 2:12, 15; 6:18-20) = "SHESHBAZZAR (which see ...
/s/sanabassarus.htm - 8k

Sanabassar
... to Jerusalem and "laid the foundations of the house of the Lord" for the first time
since its destruction (1 Esdras 2:12, 15; 6:18-20) = "SHESHBAZZAR (which see ...
/s/sanabassar.htm - 8k

5400 (1 Occurrence)
... hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity
were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem. (See NAS NIV). ...
/num/5400.htm - 6k

Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences)
... into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon,
and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he ...
/n/nebuchadnez'zar.htm - 24k

Numbereth (9 Occurrences)
... Ezra 1:8 yea, Cyrus king of Persia bringeth them out by the hand of Mithredath the
treasurer, and numbereth them to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah. (YLT). ...
/n/numbereth.htm - 9k

Foundations (49 Occurrences)
... Ezra 5:16 Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house
of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now has it been in ...
/f/foundations.htm - 21k

Who was Sheshbazzar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Questions about Ezra | GotQuestions.org

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