זְרֻבָּבֶל
𐤆𐤓𐤁𐤁𐤋
Zerubavel
H2217 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Zerubbabel—A personal name designating a specific individual of the early Persian period, an Israelite of Davidic descent who played a significant leadership role in the return from Babylonian exile and foundational stages of rebuilding the Jerusalem temple. The name's meaning is traditionally interpreted as 'offspring (or seed) of Babylon' or possibly 'scattered in Babylon,' reflecting either place of birth or circumstances; overall, the term functions almost exclusively as a proper name in biblical texts.
Semantic Range
proper name of a post-exilic Israelite leader, one born or scattered in Babylon; does not function as a common noun; incorporated personal identification with Babylonian exile period
Root / Etymology
The name derives from the root זרע (to sow, scatter seed) plus בבל (Babylon), forming a compound meaning 'seed/offspring of Babylon' or 'born/scattered in Babylon.' Some suggest an underlying root זור (to be sown or scattered) contributes to the sense, but the majority scholarly opinion favors a derivation indicating a connection to Babylon as the location of birth or exile.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical narrative, Zerubbabel is described as the grandson of Jehoiachin and a leader of returning exiles under Persian authorization (c. 6th–5th century BCE). The name's structure is typical of the post-exilic period, especially among families returning from Babylonian exile, and attests to the impact of the Babylonian context on personal identity. Though the name literally incorporates 'Babylon,' it neither denotes ethnic Babylonians nor a religious group; instead, it expresses a biographical connection. Later Jewish tradition and Greek/Latin forms (e.g., Zorobabel) preserved the term, but biblical usage is strictly as a personal name. Unlike earlier Israelite theophoric or geographical names, it reflects the realities of exile and return, and distinguishes this individual from both priestly and non-Davidic leaders of the era. Standard translations consistently use 'Zerubbabel'; there is no evidence for the use of the English term 'Jew' in period-relevant references. The Aramaic form appears in Ezra, matching the Hebrew orthography and pronunciation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to זְרֻבָּבֶל; {Zerubbabel, an Israelite}; Zerubbabel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זרב / בבל (z-r-b / b-b-l) — to sow, scatter seed; Babylon, confusion
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2217-01 |
זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל | zerubavel | ANp |
Zerubbabel | Sown-in-Babylon | Zerubavel | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H2217-01 |
Ezra 5:2 | זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל | zerubavel | ANp |
Zerubbabel | Sown-in-Babylon | Zerubavel |