SHESHBAZZAR.

(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.