Bible Figure
Sheshbazzar
Biblical character mentioned in Ezra 1
Sheshbazzar was a leader of the first return from Babylon who received the Jerusalem Temple vessels from Cyrus and is associated with laying the Temple's foundation.
Biography
Ezra 1 calls Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah and says Cyrus's treasurer entrusted the vessels from the former Temple to him for return to Jerusalem. Ezra 5 recalls that Cyrus appointed Sheshbazzar governor and that he laid the foundation of the house of God. His precise relationship to Zerubbabel has been debated, but Scripture does not explicitly identify them as the same person.
Biblical Significance
Sheshbazzar stands at the beginning of the postexilic restoration and the return of the sacred vessels. His identity should remain distinct from Zerubbabel unless stronger evidence establishes otherwise.