Who is King Cyrus mentioned in the Bible?

King Cyrus is a figure mentioned in the Bible who played a significant role in the history of Israel. He was a powerful ruler who is remembered for his acts of kindness and for his contributions to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Cyrus the Great, also known as Cyrus II, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire and ruled Persia from 559 to 530 BC. He was a fierce military leader who conquered a vast empire that stretched from Asia Minor to India. Despite his military prowess, Cyrus was also known for his tolerance and respect for the customs and beliefs of the people he conquered.

In the Bible, King Cyrus is mentioned in the books of Ezra, Isaiah, and 2 Chronicles. In the book of Isaiah, he is referred to as the "anointed one" or "messiah" of the Lord. This title is significant because it indicates that Cyrus was chosen by God to carry out a specific purpose.

One of the most famous passages about King Cyrus in the Bible comes from the book of Ezra. In Ezra 1:1-4, it is written: "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 'Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem.'"

This proclamation by King Cyrus marked a turning point for the Jewish people, who had been exiled in Babylon for decades. With Cyrus' decree, they were now able to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This act of kindness and generosity by King Cyrus was seen as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah, who had foretold that the exile would come to an end after 70 years.

King Cyrus' support for the Jews and his role in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem have earned him a place of honor in Jewish history. The Jewish people have long remembered him as a righteous and benevolent ruler who was chosen by God to fulfill a specific purpose.