Topical Encyclopedia The Second Temple, a pivotal structure in Jewish history, was initiated under the decree of Cyrus the Great, the Persian king, and later confirmed by Darius I. This event is a significant fulfillment of biblical prophecy and a testament to God's sovereignty in the affairs of nations.Background and Decree of Cyrus The decree of Cyrus, issued around 538 B.C., marked the end of the Babylonian exile for the Jewish people. This decree is recorded in the Book of Ezra, where Cyrus proclaims, "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" (Ezra 1:2). This proclamation allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. Cyrus's decree was not only a political act but also a fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by Isaiah, who mentioned Cyrus by name long before his birth: "He is My shepherd, and he shall fulfill all My purpose" (Isaiah 44:28). This divine orchestration underscores the belief that God uses even foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes. Challenges and Confirmation by Darius The rebuilding of the Temple faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples and local officials, leading to a halt in construction. The adversaries wrote to King Artaxerxes, accusing the Jews of rebellion, which resulted in a temporary cessation of the work (Ezra 4:23-24). However, during the reign of Darius I, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to resume building. The local governor, Tattenai, questioned the authority under which the Jews were rebuilding and sent a letter to Darius to verify the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 5:3-17). Darius ordered a search of the royal archives, and the decree of Cyrus was found in the citadel of Ecbatana. The document confirmed the original decree, and Darius issued a new decree, commanding that the work on the Temple should not be hindered. He further instructed that the expenses for the construction be paid from the royal treasury and that the Jewish people be provided with whatever was needed for the offerings (Ezra 6:1-12). Significance The confirmation of Cyrus's decree by Darius was a pivotal moment in the history of the Second Temple. It demonstrated the unchanging nature of God's promises and His ability to fulfill them through unexpected means. The completion of the Temple in 516 B.C., approximately 70 years after its destruction, was a moment of great joy and spiritual renewal for the Jewish people, as they once again had a central place of worship. The Second Temple period, initiated by these decrees, became a time of religious and cultural development for the Jewish people, setting the stage for the events of the New Testament. The Temple itself, though later expanded by Herod the Great, remained a symbol of God's presence and faithfulness to His covenant people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ezra 6:1,2,6-12Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Later Hebrew Histories. Book 11 Footnotes Daniel The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Bunsen's Biblical Researches. The Iranian Conquest The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem: The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Footnotes Resources What is the temple tax? | GotQuestions.orgHow many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple? | GotQuestions.org What was the significance of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died? | GotQuestions.org Temple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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