Cyrus
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Cyrus II, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, conquered Babylon in 539 BC and issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, an event recorded in both biblical and secular historical sources.
What is the meaning of Cyrus in the Bible?
Cyrus II, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, conquered Babylon in 539 BC and issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, an event recorded in both biblical and secular historical sources.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing Cyrus as a historical figure who actively facilitated the return of the Jewish people clarifies the political context of the post-exilic period and demonstrates the biblical theme of God using foreign powers to accomplish His redemptive purposes for Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.