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Cyrus the Persian and Ancient Persian Religion in Scripture

Cyrus II, often known as Cyrus the Great, was the founder of the Persian Empire and a significant figure in biblical history, particularly concerning the Jewish exile and return [1, 8]. His reign marked a pivotal moment, as he issued a decree allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple [2, 4, 5].

Cyrus was the son of Cambyses, a member of the Achaemenidae royal family of Persia [1]. He rose to power through a series of military conquests, defeating the Median king in 559 BC, Croesus of Lydia in 546 BC, and ultimately capturing Babylon [1]. These victories established the vast Persian Empire, which at its height stretched from India to Egypt [3]. The biblical texts refer to him as "Cyrus King of Persia" [2, 4] and sometimes "Cyrus King of Babylon" after his conquest of that city [11]. His empire, often called Persia in Scripture, encompassed a large territory that included Media, Babylonia, and Chaldea [3, 12].

The Bible presents Cyrus as an instrument of God's will. In the first year of his reign as King of Persia, God "stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia" [2, 4]. This divine prompting led Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his kingdom, both orally and in writing, permitting the exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem [2, 4, 5]. This act fulfilled prophecies made by Jeremiah concerning the end of the seventy-year Babylonian captivity [12, 2, 4]. The prophet Isaiah, writing approximately 150 years before Cyrus's reign, even named Cyrus as God's "shepherd" who would "perform all my pleasure," specifically mentioning the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple [13]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a medieval Jewish rationalist commentator, identifies Cyrus as the one God "called" and "raised" in Isaiah's prophecies [7, 9].

The decree of Cyrus is recorded in both 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-4. one tradition states that Cyrus's proclamation was made "when the word of the Lord, spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah, was finished" [2]. Ezra's account similarly links Cyrus's actions to the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy [4]. Josephus, the Jewish historian, also recounts how Cyrus, King of the Persians, delivered the Jews from Babylon and allowed them to rebuild their Temple, even providing funds for the work [5]. The decree was considered binding under Persian law, which was known for its immutability [10].

While the biblical narrative emphasizes Cyrus's role in the restoration of the Jewish people, it does not explicitly detail his personal religious beliefs. However, the Persian Empire had a distinct religious landscape. The name "Cyrus" itself is thought to derive from the Persian word khorschid, meaning "the sun," reflecting the worship of the sun as a deity in Persia [13]. The dominant religion of ancient Persia, particularly during the Achaemenid period, was Zoroastrianism, founded by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathushtra). This religion is characterized by a dualistic cosmology, with a supreme benevolent deity, Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord), and an opposing evil spirit, Angra Mainyu (Destructive Spirit). Zoroastrianism emphasized truth, order, and good thoughts, words, and deeds. While the biblical text does not directly mention Zoroastrianism, Cyrus's actions, as depicted in Scripture, align with a policy of religious tolerance and support for local cults, which was characteristic of Achaemenid rule. This policy would have allowed the Jews to practice their monotheistic faith and rebuild their Temple.

The book of Daniel also features Cyrus. Daniel 6:28 mentions "the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian." Some interpretations suggest that "Darius" in this context might refer to Cyrus himself, or that the phrase indicates a co-regency or a continuous reign under the Persian Empire [6]. Daniel 1:21 notes that Daniel remained in Babylon "until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus," indicating the transition of power from Babylon to Persia [8].

The Jewish tradition, as seen in Rashi's commentary, interprets Cyrus's proclamation as a declaration of his extensive dominion: "So said Cyrus, the king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth For I reign as king over all the kingdoms" [14]. This highlights the perception of Cyrus's authority and the scope of his empire, which facilitated the return of the exiles.

Cyrus's policy of allowing conquered peoples to return to their lands and worship their own gods was a strategic move that fostered loyalty and stability within his vast empire. For the Jewish people, however, it was understood as a direct intervention of God, fulfilling ancient prophecies and initiating a new chapter in their history after the Babylonian exile.

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Cyrus — (the sun), the founder of the Persian empire--see (2 Chronicles 36:22,23; Daniel 6:28; 10:1,13)--was, according to the common legend, the son of Cambyses, a Persian of the royal family of the Achaemenidae. When he grew up to manhood his courage and genius placed him at the head of the Persians. His conquests were numerous and brilliant. He defeated and captured the Median king B.C. 559. In B.C. 546 (?) he defeated Croesus, and the kingdom of lydia was the prize of his success. Babylon fell before his army, and the ancient dominions of Assyria were added to his”
  2. II Chronicles “II Chronicles 36:22 (Geneva1599) — But in the first yeere of Cyrus King of Persia (when the worde of the Lord, spoken by the mouth of Ieremiah, was finished) the Lord stirred vp the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, and he made a proclamation through all his kingdome, and also by writing, saying,”
  3. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Persia — (pure, splended), Per'sians. Persia proper was a tract of no very large dimensions on the Persian Gulf, which is still known as Fars or Farsistan, a corruption of the ancient appellation. This tract was bounded on the west by Susiana or Elam, on the north by Media on the south by the Persian Gulf and on the east by Carmania. But the name is more commonly applied, both in Scripture and by profane authors to the entire tract which came by degrees to be included within the limits of the Persian empire. This empire extended at one time from India on the east to E”
  4. Ezra “Ezra 1:1 (DRC) — In the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians: and he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and in writing also, saying:”
  5. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 1, section 1: . How Cyrus, King Of The Persians, Delivered The Jews Out Of Babylon And Suffered Them To Return To Their Own Country And To Build Their Temple, For Which Work He Gave Them Money.”
  6. Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 6:28: 6:28 the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian: Or the reign of Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Such usage of “and” is common in Aramaic; many believe that Cyrus and Darius were one man (see study note on 5:31).”
  7. Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 48:15: I have called him, namely Cyrus.”
  8. Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 1:21: 1:21 the first year of the reign of King Cyrus: Cyrus the Great ruled over Persia (559–530 BC), Media (from 549 BC), and Babylon (from 539 BC). He thus created the Persian Empire (539–331 BC; see study notes on 5:30, 31; cp. Isa 45:1-2).”
  9. Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 45:13: I have raised him, namely Cyrus.”
  10. Ezra (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezra 5:13: Cyrus the king . . . made a decree--The Jews were perfectly warranted according to the principles of the Persian government to proceed with the building in virtue of Cyrus' edict. For everywhere a public decree is considered as remaining in force until it is revoked but the "laws of the Medes and Persians changed not" [Dan 6:8, Dan 6:12, Dan 6:15].”
  11. Ezra (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezra 5:13: But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon,.... That is, the first year he was king of Babylon, having taken it, otherwise he was king of Persia many years before: the same King Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God; see Ezr 1:1.”
  12. Ezra (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezra 1 (introduction): PROCLAMATION OF CYRUS FOR BUILDING THE TEMPLE. (Ezr 1:1-6) in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia--The Persian empire, including Persia, Media, Babylonia, and Chaldea, with many smaller dependencies, was founded by Cyrus, 536 B.C. [HALES]. that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled--(See Jer 25:12; Jer 29:10). This reference is a parenthetic statement of the historian, and did not form part of the proclamation.”
  13. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 44:28: my shepherd--type of Messiah (Isa 40:11; Psa 23:1; Psa 77:20; Eze 34:23). all my pleasure--so Messiah (Isa 42:1; Isa 53:10). This is the first time Cyrus is named expressly; and that, a hundred fifty years before the time when in 550 B.C. he began his reign. The name comes from the Persian khorschid, "the sun"; kings often taking their names from the gods; the sun was worshipped as a god in Persia. saying--rather, "and that saith"; construed with God, not with Cyrus. God's word is instantaneously efficient in accomplishing His will. to . . . to-”
  14. Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on 2 Chronicles 36:23: So said Cyrus, the king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth For I reign as king over all the kingdoms.”
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