Topical Bible: Heathen: Cyrus

◄ Heathen: Cyrus ►

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Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly noted for his role in the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon. Although a heathen king, Cyrus is portrayed in the Bible as an instrument of God's divine plan, demonstrating that God's sovereignty extends over all nations and rulers.

Cyrus in Biblical Prophecy

Cyrus is uniquely mentioned by name in the prophecies of Isaiah, written approximately 150 years before his birth. Isaiah 44:28 states, "who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he will accomplish all that I please,’" and Isaiah 45:1 declares, "This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him so that the gates will not be shut." These passages highlight Cyrus as a chosen instrument of God, despite his status as a non-Israelite and a heathen.

Cyrus and the Decree to Rebuild the Temple

Cyrus's most notable biblical act is his decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree is recorded in Ezra 1:1-2: "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, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.'" This decree fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah regarding the end of the Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 29:10).

Cyrus's Role in God's Plan

Cyrus's actions demonstrate the biblical theme that God can use anyone, even those outside the covenant community, to accomplish His purposes. Despite being a heathen king, Cyrus is referred to as "His anointed" in Isaiah 45:1, a term typically reserved for Israelite kings and priests. This designation underscores the belief that God’s plans transcend human boundaries and that He can raise up leaders from any nation to fulfill His will.

Cyrus's Legacy

Cyrus's legacy in the Bible is that of a liberator and a restorer. His policies of religious tolerance and support for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem are seen as pivotal in the history of Israel. The return of the exiles and the reconstruction of the Temple were crucial steps in the restoration of Jewish religious life and identity.

In summary, Cyrus the Great, though a heathen king, is depicted in the Bible as a divinely appointed leader whose actions were instrumental in the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. His account serves as a testament to the overarching sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations and the fulfillment of His divine purposes through unexpected means.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 1:1-3
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Episcopate at Cyrus.
... 44] we see the heads of the congregation receiving the bishop of Cyrus with frantic ...
in most of the cities of the East against Jews, heretics, and heathen." [47 ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/ii episcopate at cyrus.htm

The Servant and the Slaves
... have in an eminent degree the designation of His 'servants.' And we might widen
out the thought and say that all men who, like the heathen Cyrus, are God's ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the servant and the slaves.htm

Cyrus.
... Cyrus set up his uncle, who is commonly called Darius, to be king in Babylon ... will;
but only that again God's power might be known among the heathen, and His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xii cyrus.htm

Book 11 Footnotes
... true God, the God of Israel." To which doctrine, such as Cyrus and Darius ... without
regard to that natural affection or compassion for their heathen wives, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 11 footnotes.htm

Cyrus, the Servant Of-The Lord {4}
... among your follow-men"the noble and most Christian moral of that heathen book is ...
the Lord""in which the inspired poet, watching the rise of Cyrus and his ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/cyrus the servant of-the lord.htm

Gifts and Talents.
... Lord." (Zechariah 4:6) Even of the heathen king, Cyrus, we read that Jehovah had
called him to His work and anointed him with the Spirit of the Lord"Isaiah 45 ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii gifts and talents.htm

The Scattering of the People
... and the towns they burnt with fire; but the inscriptions made by Cyrus, the Persian
king ... and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter v the scattering of.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will" (Prov.21:1).
A remarkable illustration of this is seen in Cyrus, the heathen king of Persia. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Theology.
... God worshipped by the prophets, as "the God of the living." Even the heathen king
is ... In v.5 Daniel claims God to be ton zonta theon, but Cyrus claims for Bel ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/theology 3.htm

"Example of Life and Instruction of Manners. "
... The sordidness and trickery of heathen priests [86] is contrasted with the uprightness
and ... how he claims for God to be ton zonta Theon, while Cyrus only claims ...
/.../the three additions to daniel a study/example of life and instruction 3.htm