Sheshbazzar

Sheshbazzar (meaning possibly: O sun-god, defend the lord or fire-worshipper) was the prince of Judah to whom Cyrus king of Persia entrusted the gold and silver vessels of the Jerusalem temple when he issued his famous decree permitting the Jews to return and rebuild (Ezra 1:8–11). Cyrus appointed Sheshbazzar as governor and charged him with bringing these five thousand four hundred articles — taken by Nebuchadnezzar — back to Jerusalem.

Sheshbazzar is also said to have laid the foundations of the temple (Ezra 5:14–16). Many scholars identify him with Zerubbabel, since both are called governor and both are credited with beginning the temple foundation, while others distinguish them as separate individuals — possibly uncle and nephew in the Davidic line. If Sheshbazzar is the same as Shenazzar listed in 1 Chronicles 3:18 as a son of Jehoiachin, he was Zerubbabel's uncle. His role as the initial leader of the restoration connects him to the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy of return after seventy years of exile.