Lexical Summary Parsi: Persian Original Word: פַרְסִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Persian Patrial from Parac; a Parsite (i.e. Persian), or inhabitant of Peres -- Persian. see HEBREW Parac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Paras Definition inhab. of Persia NASB Translation Persian (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַּרְסִי adjective, of a people Persian; — ׳הַמּ Nehemiah 12:22. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The term פַרְסִי appears once, in Nehemiah 12:22, where the chronicler dates the Levitical and priestly registers “in the reign of Darius the Persian”. The single usage anchors the word to an identifiable point in post-exilic history and links the restored community in Jerusalem to the wider geopolitical reality of the Persian Empire. Historical Background: Persia and the Post-exilic Community Following Babylon’s fall in 539 BC, Persia became the dominant world power. Persian kings adopted a policy of local autonomy under imperial oversight, allowing exiles to return to their homelands and rebuild religious centers. Jerusalem’s temple, walls, and civic life all benefited from this policy (Ezra 1:1–4; Nehemiah 2:1–8). Darius the Persian Nehemiah 12:22 likely points to Darius II Nothus (423–404 BC). His reign falls between the careers of Nehemiah and the high priest Jaddua, fitting the genealogy recorded in the chapter. The title “the Persian” distinguishes him from “Darius the Mede” of Daniel 5:31. Under Darius II, Persian tolerance toward local cults continued. While less personally involved with Jerusalem than Cyrus or Artaxerxes I, his stable administration allowed the priestly succession to be formalized and preserved, demonstrating divine faithfulness in maintaining a godly remnant. Persian Patronage of Temple and Torah 1. Authorization of rebuilding efforts (Ezra 6:6–15). Such actions fulfilled prophetic promises of Gentile support for Zion (Isaiah 60:10–12), underscoring Yahweh’s sovereignty over nations. Canonical Significance Nehemiah 12 situates priestly lineages within verifiable imperial reigns, reinforcing the historical reliability of Scripture. The single appearance of פַרְסִי functions as a chronological anchor tying Israel’s sacred institutions to world history without compromising their divine origin. Ministry Reflections • God can use secular authorities to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Related Passages Illustrating Persian Influence Ezra 4:24–5:2; Ezra 6:14–22; Haggai 2:20–23; Zechariah 1:1. Each shows how Persian rule intersected with prophetic activity, temple restoration, and covenant renewal. Summary פַרְסִי in Nehemiah 12:22 reminds readers that the restored community of faith operated within God-ordained historical frameworks. The mention of Darius the Persian testifies to the Lord’s providence, sustaining His people through the instruments of an empire, and calls modern believers to trust His governance over world events while remaining faithful to their divine mandate. Forms and Transliterations הַפָּֽרְסִֽי׃ הפרסי׃ hap·pā·rə·sî hapPareSi happārəsîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 12:22 HEB: מַלְכ֖וּת דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ הַפָּֽרְסִֽי׃ פ NAS: in the reign of Darius the Persian. KJV: to the reign of Darius the Persian. INT: the reign of Darius the Persian 1 Occurrence |
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