Ezra 1:8 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Ver. 8. Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah— His name was originally Zerubbabel; but it was common for the great men of Judah, at the time of the captivity, to have two names; one of their own country, which was domestic, and another of the Chaldeans, which was used at court. Zerubbabel was born at Babylon, and his name, זרבבל zerubbabel, which signifies an exile, or stranger in Babylon, implies the misery of the people of Israel at that time; but שׁשׁבצר Sheshbazzar, which is a compound of two words, signifying, fine linen and gold, seems to be a name of better omen, and to denote their future and more flourishing condition. So Bishop Patrick. Dr. Trapp, however, says, that Shesh-bazzar signifies joy in tribulation. Some are of opinion, that, among the sacred things which Cyrus ordered to be restored, the ark of the covenant was one; but it nowhere appears that this ark was carried from Jerusalem to Babylon. They tell us, indeed, that in the second temple sacrifices were offered as in the first, and all solemn days observed, especially the great day of expiation, when the law ordained that the blood should be sprinkled before the mercy-seat; and the mercy-seat, say they, was part of the ark; but, besides that the ark without the Shechinah (which was then certainly withdrawn) would have been of no great significance, the Jews universally acknowledge, that the ark was one of the five things which were wanting in the second temple.