Sheshbazzar.
Sheshbazzar. [1]
(Heb. Sheshbatstsar', שֵׁשְׁבִּצִּר, from the Persian for worshipper of fire [Von Bohlen], or the Sanscrit cacvicari= "distinguished one" [Luzzatto]; Sept., Σασαβασάρ v.r. Σαναβασάρ, etc.), the Chaldaeani or, Persian name given to Zerubbabel (q.v.). in Ezra 1:8; Ezra 1:11; Ezra 5:14; Ezra 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, ( 2 Kings 23:34; 2 Kings 24:17) may also be compared. That Sheshbazzar means Zerubbabel is proved by his being called the prince ( הִנָּשּׂיא ) of Judah, and governor ( פֶּחָה ), the former term marking him as the head of the tribe in the Jewish sense ( Numbers 7:2; Numbers 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 ( Ezra 5:16) that Sheshbazzar laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem, "compared with the promise to Zerubbabel ( Zechariah 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 Ezra 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.
