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A Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Cyrus

The document discusses the return of exiled Israelites to Jerusalem under the Persian kings Cyrus, Darius I, and Artaxerxes I. It notes that Cyrus issued a decree in 536 BC allowing Jews to return and rebuild the temple, led by Zerubbabel. The temple was completed during Darius I's reign in 515 BC. Artaxerxes I then issued a decree in 457 BC allowing Ezra to return with more exiles and rebuild Jewish institutions, and in 444 BC allowing Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

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Mike Antolino
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58 views2 pages

A Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Cyrus

The document discusses the return of exiled Israelites to Jerusalem under the Persian kings Cyrus, Darius I, and Artaxerxes I. It notes that Cyrus issued a decree in 536 BC allowing Jews to return and rebuild the temple, led by Zerubbabel. The temple was completed during Darius I's reign in 515 BC. Artaxerxes I then issued a decree in 457 BC allowing Ezra to return with more exiles and rebuild Jewish institutions, and in 444 BC allowing Nehemiah to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

Uploaded by

Mike Antolino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, DANIEL AND CYRUS.

 The end of the 70 years.


— God foretold the decree of Cyrus that Ezra mentioned 150 years before it was
promulgated. God is always in control of history.
— Daniel interceded for Israel before God (Daniel 9:1-19) and told Cyrus about the
prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah. This was key for Cyrus to allow the return of the exiled.
B ZERUBBABEL AND THE PERSIAN KINGS.
 The exiled return.
— Cyrus was at Ecbatana by September 537 BC. That’s where he enacted the decree in Ezra
6:2-5. This decree included the following points:
(1) They had to build the Temple in Jerusalem.
(2) Every Jew could return (it was not mandatory).
(3) They could be helped with silver, gold, cattle…
— According to Ezra 2:1, they were led by Zerubbabel (grandson of king Jeconiah) and the
High Priest Jeshua/Joshua.
 The kings of Persia.
— We’ll understand the story told in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah better if we know their
relationship with the Persian kings who ruled over the Israelites.
(1) Cyrus II the Great (559-530 BC): 536 BC First group of repatriated with Zerubbabel [The
rebuilding of the Temple begins].
(2) Darius I (522-486 BC): March 515 BC The Temple is finished and dedicated.
(3) Artaxerxes I (465-425 BC): 457 BC Ezra returns to Jerusalem with the second group
[The 70 weeks in Daniel 9 begin]. 444 BC Nehemiah returns with the third group [The
wall of Jerusalem is rebuilt].
C EZRA AND ARTAXERXES.
 The second return.
— The decree of Artaxerxes in 457 BC (Ezra 7:12-26) contains two main points:
(1) The Temple: The priests and Levites are mentioned. They are exempted of taxes (v. 13,
24); a special offering is requested for its restoration. A yearly assignment for the
sacrifices is established (v. 15-23).
(2) The autonomy of Judah: Ezra is allowed to appoint judges and governors. They are
allowed to enact their own laws (v. 25-26).
— This second return involved about 1,500 family leaders in 12 clans (Ezra 8).
 Ezra.
— He wrote the Bible books of Esther, Ezra, and 1 and 2 Chronicles. He also compiled the
Psalms and had a deep understanding of the Scriptures and the Mosaic law.
— The Jewish tradition says that he started the meetings in synagogues and other
improvements in the Hebrew worship and writing systems.
— Ezra is an example of what God can do when we let Him work in us and develop the gifts
which He has given us.
THE KINGS OF PERSIA
Cyrus II the Great 536 BC First group of The rebuilding of the
559-530 BC repatriated with Zerubbabel Temple begins

Cambyses II 530-522 BC

Gaumata (false Smerdis) 522 BC

Darius I March 515 BC The Temple


522-486 BC is finished and dedicated
Xerxes I
The rebuilding of
(Ahasuerus) Esther becomes queen
Jerusalem halts
486-465 BC
457 BC Ezra returns to
The 70 weeks in Daniel 9
Jerusalem with the second
Artaxerxes I begin
group
465-425 BC
444 BC Nehemiah returns The wall of Jerusalem is
with the third group rebuilt

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