Topical Encyclopedia The return of the Jews from captivity marks a significant period in biblical history, often referred to as the Restoration. This event follows the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal moment when the people of Judah were taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon in 586 BC. The exile lasted approximately 70 years, fulfilling the prophecy given by Jeremiah: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11).Cyrus the Great and the Decree of Return The return from captivity was initiated by Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who conquered Babylon in 539 BC. In the first year of his reign, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This decree is recorded in the book of Ezra: "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing: 'This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem'" (Ezra 1:1-3). The First Return Under Zerubbabel The first group of exiles returned under the leadership of Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Jeshua the high priest. This return is detailed in Ezra 2, which lists the families and individuals who made the journey back to Jerusalem. Upon their return, they began the work of rebuilding the temple, laying its foundation amidst opposition from surrounding peoples. Despite these challenges, the temple was eventually completed in 516 BC, as recorded in Ezra 6:15: "And this temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius." The Second Return Under Ezra Several decades later, a second group of exiles returned under the leadership of Ezra, a scribe and priest well-versed in the Law of Moses. Ezra's return, described in Ezra 7, was sanctioned by King Artaxerxes of Persia, who provided him with resources and authority to teach the Law and appoint magistrates. Ezra's mission was not only to reinforce the religious and social structures of the Jewish community but also to address issues of intermarriage and covenant faithfulness. The Third Return Under Nehemiah The final significant return was led by Nehemiah, who served as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah's concern for the dilapidated state of Jerusalem's walls prompted him to seek the king's permission to return and oversee their reconstruction. The book of Nehemiah details his leadership in rebuilding the walls amidst opposition and internal strife. Nehemiah's efforts were successful, and the walls were completed in just 52 days, as noted in Nehemiah 6:15: "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days." Spiritual and Social Reforms The return from captivity was not merely a physical relocation but also a spiritual renewal. The reading and teaching of the Law became central to Jewish life, as seen in Nehemiah 8, where Ezra reads the Law to the assembled people, leading to a national confession of sins and a renewed commitment to the covenant. This period also saw the establishment of synagogues as centers of worship and learning, laying the groundwork for Jewish religious life in the post-exilic period. Prophetic Fulfillment and Messianic Hope The return from captivity fulfilled numerous prophetic promises, including those of Isaiah and Jeremiah, who spoke of a future restoration and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This period also rekindled messianic hopes, as the people anticipated the coming of a Davidic ruler who would establish God's kingdom. The post-exilic prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi encouraged the people to remain faithful and hopeful for the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. The return from captivity was a defining moment in Jewish history, marking the transition from exile to restoration and setting the stage for the intertestamental period and the eventual coming of the Messiah. Nave's Topical Index Ezra 2:1Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and came again to Jerusalem and Judah, every one to his city; Nave's Topical Index Ezra 3:1 Ezra 8:1 Library That at the Time when the Captivity of the Jews was Brought to an ... The Restoration of the Jews. From Saul to the Captivity. The Return of the Exiles The Captivity of Judah. The Restoration. That the Jews Ceased to have Prophets after the Rebuilding of the ... The Situation of the Jews During this Period. How Manasseh Reigned after Hezekiah; and How when He was in ... How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews Out Of Resources Who was Cyrus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jeremiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Jehoiakim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Captivity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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