שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּר
Definition
Sheshbazzar is the name of a Persian-appointed governor who played a crucial role in the initial return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. He is specifically credited with receiving the sacred temple vessels from King Cyrus and laying the foundation of the Second Temple (Ezra 5:14-16). The name itself is of Babylonian (Akkadian) origin, meaning 'O Shamash (sun god), protect the son!' or something similar, reflecting the cultural context of the exile. In the biblical narrative, he is presented as the leader who formally initiated the rebuilding project, though the work was later completed under Zerubbabel and Jeshua.
Biblical Usage
The name Sheshbazzar appears exclusively in the Book of Ezra, specifically in the Aramaic sections of chapters 1 and 5. It is used in the context of official Persian correspondence and records regarding the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple. In Ezra 1:8, he is named as the prince of Judah to whom Cyrus entrusts the temple treasures. In Ezra 5:14-16, Persian officials report that Cyrus appointed Sheshbazzar as governor and that he laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem.
Etymology
The name שֵׁשְׁבַּצַּר (Shêshᵉbatstsar) is not Hebrew but a Babylonian (Akkadian) name, likely Šamaš-aba-uṣur or a similar form, meaning 'O Shamash (the sun god), protect the father!' or 'protect the son.' It was adopted by a Jewish leader during the Babylonian exile, a common practice where exiles bore names containing elements of foreign deities. The Hebrew Bible treats it as the Aramaic equivalent or correspondence to the Hebrew name Shenazzar (1 Chronicles 3:18, H8339), though the exact linguistic relationship is debated.
Semantic Range
Sheshbazzar is a significant figure theologically as he embodies God's faithfulness in fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah regarding the 70-year exile and the restoration of Jerusalem. His role demonstrates God's sovereignty in using a pagan king (Cyrus) and a leader with a pagan name to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Understanding his identity and mission enriches the reading of Ezra by highlighting the continuity of God's plan from exile to restoration, and the sometimes-surprising instruments He chooses to re-establish worship in Jerusalem.
The name Sheshbazzar reflects the reality of Jewish life in the Babylonian exile, where individuals often bore names incorporating elements of Mesopotamian deities (like Shamash, the sun god). This was not necessarily an indication of personal idolatry but a cultural adaptation. His Persian title 'governor' (peḥā) and his commission from Cyrus place him squarely within the administrative system of the Persian Empire, showing how the restoration community operated under imperial authority and protection.
Zerubbabel (Zərub́babel, H2216) — A later governor who completed the temple rebuilding which Sheshbazzar began. Shenazzar (Shênatstsar, H8339) — A Hebrew name from 1 Chronicles 3:18 possibly referring to the same person, showing the dual naming practice in exile.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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