On the issuing of Cyrus' decree, he immediately availed himself of it, and placed himself at the head of those of his countrymen "whose spirit God had raised to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem." It is probable that he was in the king of Babylon's service, both from his having, like Daniel and the three children, received a Chaldee name, Sheshbazzar, and from the fact that he was appointed by the Persian king to the office of governor of Judea.

On arriving at Jerusalem, Zerubbabel's great work, which he set about immediately, was the rebuilding of the Temple. In the second month of the second year of the return, the foundation was laid with all the pomp which could be commanded. The efforts of the Samaritans were successful in putting a stop to the work during the seven remaining years of the reign of Cyrus and through the eight years of Cambyses and Smerdis. Nor does Zerubbabel appear quite blameless for this long delay. The difficulties in the way of building the Temple were not such as needing have stopped the work and, during this long suspension of sixteen years, Zerubbabel and the rest of the people had been busy in building costly houses for themselves.

But in the second year of Darius, light dawned upon the darkness of the colony from Babylon. In that year -- it was the most memorable event in Zerabbabel's life -- the spirit of prophecy suddenly blazed up with a most brilliant light among the returned captives. Their words fell like sparks upon tinder. In a moment, Zerubbabel roused from his apathy, threw his whole strength into the work.