Who was Jushab-hesed in the Bible?

Jushab-hesed was a son of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah who led the first group of exiles back to Jerusalem from Babylon. He is listed in the genealogy of King Jehoiachin (1 Chronicles 3:20), making him a descendant of the royal line of David.

Why is Jushab-hesed mentioned in the Bible?

His mention is primarily for genealogical record-keeping, preserving the lineage of King David through the exile and return. This was crucial for Israel's identity and for the future messianic hope, as the Messiah was prophesied to come from David's line (Jeremiah 23:5).

What does the name Jushab-hesed mean?

The name Jushab-hesed is Hebrew and likely means 'kindness is returned' or 'loving-kindness will be restored.' It reflects a theme of God's covenant faithfulness (hesed) being shown again to His people after the exile.

Jushab-hesed

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleKing

Jushab-hesed was one of the sons of Zerubbabel, a descendant of King Jehoiachin of Judah.

Jushab-hesed

Biography

Jushab-hesed was one of the sons of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah who led the first wave of Jewish exiles back from Babylon (1 Chronicles 3:20). His name, meaning "love has been restored" or "loving-kindness has returned," is itself a theological statement, a name that may reflect the family's gratitude at God's faithfulness in restoring the covenant people from exile. As a descendant of King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) of Judah, Jushab-hesed was part of the Davidic royal line, carrying in his lineage the covenant promise of an eternal throne made to David (2 Samuel 7:12–16). He is listed among Zerubbabel's children in the genealogy of 1 Chronicles 3, a passage that carefully traces the Davidic line through the post-exilic period as a witness to God's ongoing covenant fidelity.

Significance

Jushab-hesed's significance lies primarily in his place within the Davidic genealogy during one of Israel's most vulnerable periods. After the catastrophe of the Babylonian exile, the Davidic line seemed broken and the covenant promises in jeopardy. Yet the careful preservation of names like Jushab-hesed in 1 Chronicles 3 demonstrates that God was sustaining the royal lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. His very name: "loving-kindness has returned", proclaims the theological conviction of his family: that exile was not the end of God's covenant with David. In this way, Jushab-hesed serves as a quiet testimony to the unbroken thread of messianic hope running from David to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:12).

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherZerubbabelSiblingAbiudSiblingOhelSiblingRhesaSiblingHashubahSiblingMeshullamSiblingHasadiahSiblingHananiahSiblingShelomithSiblingBerechiah

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 3:20

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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