Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly in the context of the Jewish exile and return. He is mentioned in several books of the Bible, including Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezra. Isaiah 44:28 refers to Cyrus as the Lord's shepherd, who will fulfill God's purpose: "who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he will accomplish all that I please.’" This prophecy highlights Cyrus's role in the divine plan to restore Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

In the book of Ezra, Cyrus is depicted as a liberator of the Jewish people. Ezra 1:1-2 records the decree of Cyrus, which allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple: "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing: 'This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.'"

Cyrus's policies of religious tolerance and restoration of local customs and temples were instrumental in the return of the Jewish exiles. His actions are seen as a fulfillment of God's promises and a demonstration of God's sovereignty over the nations.

Darius

Darius the Great, another prominent Persian ruler, is mentioned in the books of Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. He is often identified with Darius I, who reigned from 522 to 486 BC. In the book of Daniel, Darius is portrayed as a ruler who respected Daniel and his God. Daniel 6:25-27 records Darius's decree after Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den: "Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: 'May your prosperity abound. I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end.'"

In the book of Ezra, Darius plays a crucial role in the continuation of the temple rebuilding project. Ezra 6:1-12 describes how Darius confirmed the decree of Cyrus and supported the Jewish efforts to rebuild the temple, providing resources and protection for the project. This support is seen as part of God's providential care for His people and His purposes.

Artaxerxes

Artaxerxes I, who reigned from 465 to 424 BC, is another Persian king mentioned in the Bible, particularly in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Artaxerxes is known for his favorable policies towards the Jewish people, allowing them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city walls. In Ezra 7:11-26, Artaxerxes issues a decree granting Ezra the priest permission to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem and to teach the Law of God: "Now this is the text of the letter that King Artaxerxes had given to Ezra the priest and scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments and statutes of the LORD for Israel."

Nehemiah, a cupbearer to Artaxerxes, also received permission from the king to return to Jerusalem and oversee the rebuilding of the city walls. Nehemiah 2:8 records Nehemiah's request and Artaxerxes's favorable response: "And may I have a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the house I will occupy. And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests."

Artaxerxes's support for the Jewish people is seen as a continuation of God's provision and faithfulness, enabling the restoration of Jerusalem and the reestablishment of the Jewish community in their homeland.