Zerubbabel was the grandson of King Jehoiachin. (See 1 Chronicles 3:16–18 for the family tree of the descendants of King David.) Haggai 1:1 mentions that Zerubbabel was a governor of the Persian province of Judah in the time when the temple was finally rebuilt (520–515 BC). As governor he was responsible for maintaining law and order and collecting taxes.1 Zerubbabel is listed in Jesus' genealogy (Matthew 1:13; Luke 3:27). Zerubbabel was the last of the Davidic line to be entrusted with political authority by the occupying powers.2
2 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God that is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.