Topical Encyclopedia The Second Temple holds a significant place in biblical history, serving as the center of Jewish worship and identity after the Babylonian exile. The construction of the Second Temple was initiated under the decree of Cyrus the Great, the Persian king, who played a pivotal role in the restoration of the Jewish people to their homeland and the re-establishment of their religious practices.Cyrus the Great and the Decree Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, is recognized in the Bible as a divinely appointed instrument for the liberation of the Jewish exiles. In the first year of his reign, Cyrus issued a decree that allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree is recorded in the Book of Ezra: "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 as follows: '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. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem.'" (Ezra 1:1-3) Restoration of the Temple Vessels A significant aspect of Cyrus's decree was the return of the sacred vessels that had been taken from the First Temple by Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king. These vessels were essential for the worship and rituals conducted in the Temple. Cyrus not only permitted the Jews to return to their land but also ensured that these holy items were restored to their rightful place. The Book of Ezra details this act of restoration: "Moreover, King Cyrus brought out the articles belonging to the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the temple of his gods. Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah." (Ezra 1:7-8) The return of these vessels symbolized the restoration of the Jewish religious system and the continuity of their covenant relationship with God. It underscored the fulfillment of prophetic promises and the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations. Significance in Jewish History The Second Temple period marked a new chapter in Jewish history, characterized by the rebuilding of the Temple and the re-establishment of religious practices. The actions of Cyrus, as recorded in the biblical narrative, highlight the providential role of foreign rulers in the divine plan for Israel. The return of the Temple vessels was not merely a logistical necessity but a profound act of religious and cultural restoration. Cyrus's decree and the subsequent return of the vessels set the stage for the rebuilding of the Temple, which was completed under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest. This period laid the foundation for the religious and social life of the Jewish people until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. The narrative of Cyrus and the vessels serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and the enduring hope of restoration for His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 1:7-11Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 6:5 Library How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ... The Rebuilding of the Temple. From Saul to the Captivity. The Restoration. The Later Hebrew Histories. How after the Death of Cambyses and the Slaughter of the Magi but ... Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ... The Oracles. That the King of Babylon Repented of Making Jehoiachin King, and ... The Conquest of Babylon. Resources Was it God's desire for Israel to worship Him in a temple in Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning and significance of the Temple Mount? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Ezekiel's temple? | GotQuestions.org Temple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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