Governor Zerubbabel

Zerubbabel was a leader of the first major Jewish return from Babylonian exile after the Persian conquest. He was from the Davidic line, making him important as a symbol of restored Jewish leadership, even though he ruled under Persian authority rather than as an independent king. Together with Joshua the High Priest, and encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel helped rebuild the Second Temple, which was completed in −516. From a Jewish perspective, he represents hope after exile and the rebuilding of national and religious life in Jerusalem.