Home › Glossary › Letter Z

Zerubbabel

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Governor of Judah who led the first return from exile and rebuilt the temple

Detailed Definition
Zerubbabel, grandson of Jehoiachin, worked with Joshua the priest and Haggai to restore worship (Ezra 3; Haggai 1). In poetry, Zerubbabel symbolizes post-exilic hope, the fusion of royal and priestly leadership, and how rebuilding sacred space renews covenant identity.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Ezra 3–6, Zerubbabel leads temple rebuilding—a figure used in restoration poetry about hope after exile; Haggai 2:23 calls Zerubbabel “my servant,” a line echoed in messianic verse about Davidic lineage; Contemporary poems depict Zerubbabel as governor who partnered with Joshua the priest; In poems about leadership, Zerubbabel embodies perseverance amid opposition; Some liturgical works honor Zerubbabel as link between exile and renewal; Educational poems cite Zerubbabel to teach about post-exilic history and prophetic encouragement.
Additional Notes
Zerubbabel, governor of Judah and descendant of David, leads the first return from exile and oversees the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah); though not a king, he carries messianic expectations (Haggai 2:23); poets use Zerubbabel to explore restoration after trauma, the weight of ancestral promise, and the quiet dignity of rebuilding rather than ruling.
Also Known As
Zerubbabel governor of Judah Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel
Skip to main content