Topical Bible: The Jews: Restored to Their own Land by Cyrus

◄ The Jews: Restored to Their own Land by Cyrus ►

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The restoration of the Jews to their homeland under the decree of Cyrus the Great marks a significant event in biblical history, fulfilling prophetic promises and demonstrating God's sovereignty over nations and rulers. This event is primarily documented in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and 2 Chronicles, and it is a pivotal moment in the post-exilic period of Israel's history.

Historical Context

The Babylonian Exile, which began in 586 BC with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar II, left the Jewish people in a state of displacement and longing for their homeland. The exile was a period of seventy years, as prophesied by Jeremiah: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11).

Cyrus the Great

Cyrus II, known as Cyrus the Great, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire and a ruler renowned for his policies of tolerance and restoration. In 539 BC, Cyrus conquered Babylon, and shortly thereafter, he issued a decree that allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This decree is recorded in the opening verses of 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" (Ezra 1:1).

The Decree of Cyrus

Cyrus's decree is a remarkable testament to God's providence and the fulfillment of prophecy. The decree not only permitted the Jews to return but also provided resources for the reconstruction of the Temple: "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: '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 1:2-3).

The Return and Rebuilding

The return to Jerusalem was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Jeshua the high priest. The first wave of returnees laid the foundation of the Second Temple, an act of profound spiritual and national significance. Despite opposition and challenges, the rebuilding of the Temple was 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" .

Prophetic Fulfillment

The restoration under Cyrus is seen as a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, where Cyrus is mentioned by name as God's anointed instrument: "I will raise up Cyrus in My righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts" (Isaiah 45:13). This event underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises.

Significance in Jewish History

The return to the land and the rebuilding of the Temple were crucial for the re-establishment of Jewish religious life and identity. It marked the beginning of the Second Temple period, a time of renewal and reform under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah, who emphasized the Law and covenant fidelity.

The restoration by Cyrus is a testament to God's ability to use even foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that the hearts of kings are indeed in His hands. This event remains a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the hope of restoration for His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 1:1-4
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,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews Out Of
... the multitude, in order to their being restored to the ... given leave to as many of
the Jews that dwell ... my country as please to return to their own country, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how cyrus king.htm

The Restoration.
... he should restore God's captive people to their own land and now ... that his people
should give the Jews silver, gold ... He also restored to them the vessels of the ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvi the restoration.htm

The Restoration of the Jews.
... the country of Judea would again be restored to the peaceable possession of the
Jews, and such ... had been so long predicted came in all their terrible reality ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter ix the restoration of.htm

The Scattering of the People
... until at last the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt, and the city restored to something
of ... Hardly could the Jews believe that they were in their own dear city ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter v the scattering of.htm

From Saul to the Captivity.
... enjoining by his edict that all Jews who were in ... to their own country, and rebuild
their temple to ... of Jud??a by Nebuchadnezzar should be restored, and placed ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxv from saul to the.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... and had carried to Babylon, should be restored to the ... The Jews also built the cloisters
of the inner ... and children, according to the law of their country; and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

How Xerxes the Son of Darius was Well Disposed to the Jews; as ...
... And when these Jews had understood what piety the king had ... they had been in, and
had restored them again to Jerusalem, and to their own land, and had ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how xerxes the.htm

The Eve of the Restoration
... in exile in Babylonia, 'I assembled and restored to their ... us as closely as it did
the Jews, and is as ... in Babylon, not wishing to leave their possessions behind ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the eve of the restoration.htm

An Enumeration of the High Priests.
... Cyrus, king of Persia, sent the Jews from Babylon ... in war, appointed Jonathan to be
their high priest ... He also restored the high priesthood to Hyrcanus, and made ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 an enumeration of.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought ... thousand strong, from
among the Jews in the ... people and allowed them to return to their own land. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm