Cyrus

Also known as: Cyrus the Great, Cyrus II of Persia, Koresh

King · The Anointed Deliverer

Cyrus the Great of Persia is the only non-Israelite called God's "anointed" (mashiach) in scripture. Isaiah prophesied his name approximately 150 years before his birth: "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid" (Isaiah 44:28). In 539 BCE, Cyrus conquered Babylon and issued a decree recorded in both Ezra 1:1-4 and 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple: "The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem." The Cyrus Cylinder — a clay cylinder in the British Museum — confirms his policy of restoring displaced peoples to their homelands. Cyrus represents a rare case where a pagan king is presented positively in scripture as an instrument of God's deliverance.

Key Events

1Named by Isaiah ~150 years before his birth
2Conquered Babylon in 539 BCE
3Issued decree allowing Jewish return and Temple rebuilding
4Called God's "anointed" (mashiach) — only non-Israelite so designated
5Cyrus Cylinder confirms his restoration policy

What Scripture Says (19 verses)

2 Chronicles 36:22

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

2 Chronicles · Chapter 36

2 Chronicles 36:23

Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

2 Chronicles · Chapter 36

Ezra 1:1

Now 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, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Ezra · Chapter 1

Ezra 1:2

Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

Ezra · Chapter 1

Ezra 1:7

Also 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;

Ezra · Chapter 1

Ezra 1:8

Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.

Ezra · Chapter 1

Ezra 3:7

They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.

Ezra · Chapter 3

Ezra 4:3

But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

Ezra · Chapter 4

Ezra 4:5

And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra · Chapter 4

Ezra 5:13

But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

Ezra · Chapter 5

Showing 10 of 19 verses

Church Tradition

Death

Died in battle (from secular history — not in scripture)

Source: Isaiah 44:28; Ezra 1:1-4

Biblical Record

Details

Verses: 19
Category: king

Appears In

2 Chronicles Ezra Isaiah Daniel

Key Verses

Isaiah 44:28

Isaiah 45:1-4

Ezra 1:1-4

2 Chronicles 36:22-23