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זְרֻבָּבֶל

𐤆𐤓𐤁𐤁𐤋

Zerubavel

H2216 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ז־ר־ב, ב־ב־ל to sow, scatter seed; confusion (Babylon as a place name)

Definition

Zerubbabel—personal name, most prominently designating a leading Israelite figure of the early Persian period who played a central role in the restoration of Jerusalem and the Second Temple. In context, his name designates someone of the postexilic exilic generation with a connection to Babylon. The name functions not as an ordinary noun but as a proper noun, tied to this leading figure, although it could be reapplied by association to any individual with similar circumstances.

Semantic Range

Zerubbabel (the Israelite leader of the Persian period); individual bearing the name Zerubbabel; one born or associated with Babylon (by folk etymology, not attested as a common noun)

Root / Etymology

Uncertain. Though often parsed as deriving from זֶרַע ('seed, offspring') or possibly זְרוּ ('sown' or a passive participle of to sow), plus בָּבֶל ('Babylon'), yielding the sense of 'offspring/seed of Babylon' or 'sown in Babylon,' the formation is irregular and lacks exact parallels in Hebrew onomastics. Some suggest a non-Hebrew origin, or an Akkadian/Babylonian name adapted or Hebraized by the biblical authors. The parsing back to Hebrew as 'sown in Babylon' is a reasonable but not definitive folk etymology.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Zerubbabel appears primarily in postexilic biblical literature (Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 Chronicles), where he is portrayed as a prominent leader descended from the house of David and appointed as governor of the Persian province of Yehud (Judah). The name reflects the context of the Babylonian exile, marking him as one of those born or raised in Babylon and now involved in the restoration of the Israelite community in Jerusalem. In the Hebrew Bible, Zerubbabel is consistently associated with the restoration of the altar and temple, and his status connects both exile and return motifs. English translations sometimes assume or supply the meaning 'born in Babylon,' but the name's etymology is debated. Later Jewish and Christian traditions invested the name with additional theological significance; however, these are post-biblical developments. The name is unique in the Hebrew Bible and not reused as a common noun or as a term for a group or concept. Any reference to 'Zerubbabel' outside the postexilic context points to direct allusion to the historical personage, not a type or general status.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from זָרַב and בָּבֶל; descended of (i.e. from) Babylon, i.e. born there; Zerubbabel, an Israelite; Zerubbabel.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

זרב, בבל (z-r-b; b-b-l) — to sow, scatter seed; confusion, Babylon

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2216-02 זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon 20
H2216-01 וּ/זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל uzerubavel HC/Np and Zerubbabel and Zerubbabel 1

Occurrences in Scripture

21 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2216-02 Haggai 1:1 זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Haggai 1:12 זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Haggai 1:14 זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Haggai 2:2 זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Haggai 2:4 זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Haggai 2:21 זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Haggai 2:23 זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Zechariah 4:6 זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Zechariah 4:7 זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
H2216-02 Zechariah 4:9 זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל zerubavel HNp Zerubbabel Sown-in-Babylon
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