McClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Sheshbazzar

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McClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Sheshbazzar


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(Heb. Sheshbatstsar', ùֵׁùְׁáִּöִּø , from the Persian for worshipper of fire [Von Bohlen], or the Sanscrit cacvicari= “distinguished one” [Luzzatto]; Sept., ÓáóáâáóÜñ v.r. ÓáíáâáóÜñ , etc.), the Chaldaeani or, Persian name given to Zerubbabel (q.v.). in Ezr_1:8; Ezr_1:11; Ezr_5:14; Ezr_5:16, after the analogy of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Belteshazzar, and Esther. In like manner, also, Joseph received the name of Zaphnath-Paaneah, and we learn from Manetho, as quoted by Josephus (Apion, 1, 28), that, Moses' Egyptian name was Osarsiph. The change of name in the case of Jehiakim and Zedekiah, (2Ki_23:34; 2Ki_24:17) may also be compared. That Sheshbazzar means Zerubbabel is proved by his being called the prince ( äִðָּùּׂéà ) of Judah, and governor ( ôֶּçָä ), the former term marking him as the head of the tribe in the Jewish sense (Num_7:2; Num_7:10-11, etc.), and the latter as the Persian governor appointed by Cyrus, both which Zerubbabel was; and yet more distinctly by the assertion (Ezr_5:16) that Sheshbazzar laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem, “compared with the promise to Zerubbabel (Zec_4:9), “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, his hands shall, also finish it.” It is also apparent from the mere comparison of Ezr_1:11 with 2:1, 2 and the whole history of the returned exiles. The Jewish tradition that Sheshbazzar is Daniel is utterly without weight.