Sometimes explained instead as born in Babylon. The KJV New Testament spells the name Zorobabel.
About
Governor of Judah and a grandson of King Jehoiachin. Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai and Matthew call him the son of Shealtiel, and 1 Chronicles 3:19 lists him among the sons of Pedaiah. He heads the list of those who came up from the captivity. With Joshua the high priest, whom Ezra calls Jeshua, he built the altar, began the house of God and refused adversaries who asked to build with them. The work stopped until Haggai and Zechariah prophesied. Haggai said the Lord had chosen him, and Zechariah that his hands would finish the house. Matthew 1 puts him in the line to Joseph. Luke 3:27 also has a Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, where Shealtiel is the son of Neri.
Relationships
GrandfatherJehoiachinGrandfather, named Jeconiah in 1 Chronicles 3, which with Matthew 1 gives the descent
DescendantJoseph (step-father)Descendant, the husband of Mary, to whom Matthew 1 carries the line from Zerubbabel
ColleagueJoshua (high priest)High priest, called Jeshua in Ezra, who built the altar alongside Zerubbabel
PatronCyrusKing of Persia by whose command Zerubbabel said they would build the house
Helped byHaggaiProphet who told Zerubbabel to be strong and said the Lord had chosen him
Helped byZechariah (prophet)Prophet given the word that Zerubbabel's hands would finish the house
Key Scripture AppearancesKJV
Ezra 3:2
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.Ezra 3:2, KJV
Ezra 4:3
But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.Ezra 4:3, KJV
Haggai 2:23
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.Haggai 2:23, KJV
Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.Zechariah 4:6, KJV
Matthew 1:12
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;Matthew 1:12, KJV
See how Zerubbabel connects to every other figure in Scripture.