Medes
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who inhabited the region of modern-day northwestern Iran and parts of Azerbaijan. They formed a powerful kingdom that played a crucial role in the fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and were subsequently absorbed into the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great.
What is the meaning of Medes in the Bible?
The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who inhabited the region of modern-day northwestern Iran and parts of Azerbaijan. They formed a powerful kingdom that played a crucial role in the fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and were subsequently absorbed into the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Medes clarifies the geopolitical context of the Old Testament, particularly regarding the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire which conquered Babylon and facilitated the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Medes in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Medes clarify?
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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.