Darius the Great, also known as Darius I, was a prominent ruler of the Persian Empire, reigning from 522 to 486 BC. He is a significant figure in biblical history, particularly in the context of the Jewish exile and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Darius is mentioned in several books of the Bible, including Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Haggai, and Zechariah.

Historical Context

Darius ascended to the throne following the death of Cambyses II and the overthrow of the usurper Gaumata. His reign is noted for the consolidation and expansion of the Persian Empire, as well as significant administrative reforms. Darius established a system of provinces, or satrapies, and implemented a standardized system of weights and measures, which facilitated trade and communication across the vast empire.

Darius in the Book of Ezra

Darius played a crucial role in the history of the Jewish people during the post-exilic period. In the Book of Ezra, Darius is depicted as a king who supported the Jewish efforts to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. After the work on the Temple had been halted due to opposition, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to resume construction. The Jewish leaders, including Zerubbabel and Jeshua, appealed to Darius to confirm the decree of Cyrus, which had originally authorized the rebuilding.

Ezra 6:1-12 records Darius's response: "Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was conducted in the archives stored in the treasury of Babylon. And a scroll was found in the fortress of Ecbatana in the province of Media, with the following written on it: Memorandum: In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem: Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its original foundations be retained. Its height is to be sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits..." Darius not only confirmed Cyrus's decree but also ordered that the expenses for the rebuilding be paid from the royal treasury and that the work should not be hindered.

Darius in the Book of Daniel

In the Book of Daniel, Darius is often associated with Darius the Mede, although there is some debate among scholars regarding the identification of Darius the Mede with Darius I. In Daniel 6, Darius is portrayed as a ruler who, despite his favor towards Daniel, is manipulated into issuing a decree that leads to Daniel being thrown into the lions' den. Daniel 6:25-27 describes Darius's reaction after Daniel's miraculous deliverance: "Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: 'May your prosperity abound. I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in 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. He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.'"

Darius in the Prophets Haggai and Zechariah

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah also mention Darius in the context of the Temple's reconstruction. Haggai 1:1 states, "In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest." Both prophets encouraged the people to prioritize the rebuilding of the Temple, emphasizing that it was God's will and that He would bless their efforts.

Significance

Darius's reign is marked by his support for the Jewish people and their religious practices, reflecting the broader Persian policy of tolerance towards the diverse cultures and religions within the empire. His actions facilitated the restoration of Jewish worship in Jerusalem and the re-establishment of the Temple as the center of Jewish religious life. Darius's decrees and the subsequent completion of the Temple in 516 BC were pivotal in the history of Israel, symbolizing a renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people.