Forefather Zerubbabel

Forefather Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David of the tribe of Judah, lived in the 6th century BC. According to the Old Testament books of Ezra and Haggai, after the decree of the Persian king Cyrus permitting the Jews to return from Babylonian captivity, Zerubbabel was appointed governor of Judea and led the first wave of returnees to Jerusalem. Under his leadership the altar was restored and, despite numerous obstacles from neighboring peoples, the Second Temple of Jerusalem was built, consecrated in 516 BC. Biblical tradition (3 Esdras) also credits Zerubbabel with victory in a contest of wise men at the Persian court, after which King Darius honored him specially. As a descendant of the royal house of David, Zerubbabel is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus Christ given in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Church honors his memory among the forefathers of ancient Israel on the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers.