This Archaeological Find Confirms the Biblical Account in the Book of Ezra
City of David 09.11.2021
This is the Cyrus Cylinder. It's one of the most significant finds in the 19th century - the Cyrus Cylinder represents a confirmation of the biblical account in the book of Ezra.
When the King of Persia defeated Babylon and became the new empire of the Middle East, King Cyrus instituted new, more benevolent policies to the people he conquered. Instead of the Babylonian policy of exile, King Cyrus allowed various peoples in the region to return home - this was the policy written on the Cyrus Cylinder! This was the start of the Jewish people returning from Babylon to the land of Israel.
According to the Book of Ezra:
“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:
‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them.’”
Unlike the rulers of Babylon, who wreaked destruction, exile, and death upon every conquered nation, King Cyrus of the Persian Empire restored each nation to their respective homeland - the Jews included.
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