Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. This remarkable proclamation shows a pagan king acknowledging Yahweh as 'the LORD God of heaven,' using the covenant name. The phrase 'God of heaven' (Elohe hashamayim) was common in Persian contexts, emphasizing divine transcendence and universal sovereignty.
Cyrus attributes his imperial success directly to Yahweh's gift—'hath given me all the kingdoms.' This confession, whether genuine conversion or political pragmatism, demonstrates God's ability to incline rulers' hearts to acknowledge Him. The verb 'charged' (paqad) indicates divine commission, suggesting Cyrus understood himself as fulfilling sacred duty.
The specific mention of building 'an house at Jerusalem' shows detailed knowledge of Jewish religion and God's dwelling place. This wasn't generic tolerance but specific facilitation of Yahweh worship. Theologically, this demonstrates that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by exile or pagan rule.
Historical Context
The Cyrus Cylinder and other Persian documents confirm that Cyrus portrayed himself as chosen by various deities of conquered peoples. His inscriptions claim that Marduk (Babylonian god) chose him to rule. However, the specificity of the Jerusalem temple reference suggests genuine engagement with Jewish faith beyond mere political rhetoric.
Ancient Near Eastern kings typically destroyed temples of defeated peoples. Cyrus's policy of restoring cult centers represented revolutionary cultural policy. This created stability in his empire by winning loyalty through religious freedom rather than forced conformity.
The reference to Jerusalem 'which is in Judah' clarifies the specific location for Persian officials, as Jerusalem had been destroyed and lay in ruins for nearly fifty years.
Questions for Reflection
How should Christians respond when secular authorities advance kingdom purposes?
What does Cyrus's commission teach about the importance of corporate worship and sacred space?
How can believers maintain distinctive witness while working within pluralistic contexts?
Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. This remarkable proclamation shows a pagan king acknowledging Yahweh as 'the LORD God of heaven,' using the covenant name. The phrase 'God of heaven' (Elohe hashamayim) was common in Persian contexts, emphasizing divine transcendence and universal sovereignty.
Cyrus attributes his imperial success directly to Yahweh's gift—'hath given me all the kingdoms.' This confession, whether genuine conversion or political pragmatism, demonstrates God's ability to incline rulers' hearts to acknowledge Him. The verb 'charged' (paqad) indicates divine commission, suggesting Cyrus understood himself as fulfilling sacred duty.
The specific mention of building 'an house at Jerusalem' shows detailed knowledge of Jewish religion and God's dwelling place. This wasn't generic tolerance but specific facilitation of Yahweh worship. Theologically, this demonstrates that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by exile or pagan rule.