Zoroastrianism
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Zoroastrianism is an ancient Iranian religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster, centered on the sacred text known as the Avesta, which contains hymns and teachings attributed to the prophet and reflects pre-Christian Iranian religious traditions.
What is the meaning of Zoroastrianism in the Bible?
Zoroastrianism is an ancient Iranian religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster, centered on the sacred text known as the Avesta, which contains hymns and teachings attributed to the prophet and reflects pre-Christian Iranian religious traditions.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Zoroastrianism provides essential historical context for the development of Jewish and Christian concepts regarding the afterlife, the nature of evil, and the figure of the Messiah, as these ideas emerged during the period of Persian dominance over the Near East.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Zoroastrianism in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Zoroastrianism clarify?
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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.