The prophecies of Malachi, given about 430 B.C., incorporate some of the time period in which Jews were permitted to return to their homeland under the reign of the Persians.
According to the Bible Dictionary in the 1983 LDS edition of the King James Bible, the Persians were a tribe who in the 8th century B.C. inhabited a district east of Elam. Cyrus united the Medes and Persians, conquered Babylon (538 B.C.), and founded the Persian Empire, which extended from Afghanistan to the Mediterranean, including Asia Minor. Judea was a subject province to the Persian Empire from 530 until 334 B.C.When Persia overthrew Babylon, the Jews in Babylonian captivity saw the Persians as their liberators. The conquering King Cyrus ordered that there be no mass slaughter of the inhabitants of Babylon, and that there be no forced marches of people into captivity.
Cyrus issued a decree allowing some of the Jews to return to the land of Judah and rebuild the temple at Jerusalem, possibly as a token of gratitude for assistance given to him in his conquest of Babylonia. (Ezra 1:1-11; 3:7.)
In addition to Cyrus, the Old Testament mentions other Persian kings. When Babylon was defeated, Darius the Mede (known as the founder of the Persian Dynasty) was made king over Chaldea. Darius Hystapis, called also "Darius the Great" - extended the kingdom of Persia from India to the Greek Isles.
At least two Persian kings had the name Artaxerxes. One of them, known as Artaxerxes Longimanus, "son of Xerxes" gave permission for Ezra and, later, Nehemiah, to go to Jerusalem. (Ezra 6:14; Neh. 2:1; 5:14; 13:6.)
(For further information, please see Bible Dictionary, 1983 LDS edition, King James version, entries of Artaxerxes, Cyrus and Darius.)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Sunday School gospel doctrine course of study on the Old Testament, lesson No. 47; Nehemiah 1-2; 4; 6; 8. (Ezra 1-8 will be featured in the Nov. 28 issue of Church News.)
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: Elder Nelson's comments, Conference Report, April 1994, page 91, or Ensign, May 1994, page 69; Bible Dictionary, 1982 LDS edition, King James Bible.
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