Cyrus(cyrus ii, cyrus the great)
“Possibly from Persian 'kohr' (sun)”
Summary
The Persian king who conquered Babylon and issued the decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, called by Isaiah 'God's shepherd' and 'His anointed.'
☩Rise to Power
Cyrus, originally king of Ansan (Elam), was the son of Cambyses and the grandson of an earlier Cyrus. He conquered the Median king Astyages around 550 BC, uniting the Medes and Persians under his rule. His conquests were rapid and extensive: Lydia fell in 546 BC, and Babylon in 539 BC. His military genius and reputation for clemency toward conquered peoples distinguished him from other ancient conquerors.
☩Prophetic Designation
Isaiah prophesied concerning Cyrus by name over a century before his birth, calling him 'My shepherd' who would accomplish all God's purposes (Isaiah 44:28), and 'His anointed' whom God would lead to subdue nations (Isaiah 45:1). God declared that He would open doors before Cyrus, including the gates of Babylon. This remarkable prophecy affirmed God's sovereign control over history and His commitment to restore His people.
☩Conquest of Babylon
In 539 BC, Cyrus captured Babylon, fulfilling Isaiah's and Jeremiah's prophecies (Isaiah 13:17; Jeremiah 51:11). According to ancient accounts, his forces diverted the Euphrates River and entered the city through the dry riverbed while the Babylonians were feasting. Daniel records that 'Darius the Mede' received the kingdom, apparently serving as Cyrus' viceroy in Babylon (Daniel 5:31; 6:28).
☩Decree for Jewish Restoration
In his first year as ruler of Babylon (538 BC), Cyrus issued the decree permitting Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). He restored the sacred vessels Nebuchadnezzar had taken and provided resources for the temple's reconstruction (Ezra 1:7-11; 6:3-5). His acknowledgment of 'the Lord God of heaven' (Ezra 1:2) likely reflected his Zoroastrian monotheism, which disposed him favorably toward Jewish religion.
Related Verses24 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Cyrus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Cyrus," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Cyrus," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).