Faith & Reason Nexus

The Medo-Persian kings in the Bible, notably Cyrus the Great, Darius the Great, and Artaxerxes, played crucial roles in the restoration of the Jewish people following the Babylonian exile. Cyrus, in particular, issued the decree allowing the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Darius supported the reconstruction efforts, and Artaxerxes later granted further support to Nehemiah for the restoration of Jerusalem’s walls. The Medo-Persian kings, highlighted in the post-exilic period, exemplify the divine use of secular rulers to fulfill prophetic promises and facilitate the revival of God’s people.

1. Cyrus II – 539-530
2. Cambyses II – 529-522
3. Bardiya (6 months) – 522
4. Nebuchadnezza III (3 months) – 521
5. Nebuchadnezza IV (3 months) – 521-486
6. Darius I – 485-465
7. Xerxes I – 482
8. Bel-Shimanni – 482
9. Shamash-Erib – 464-424
10. Artaxerxes I – 423-405
11. Darius II – 404-359
12. Artaxerxes II Mnemon – 358-338
13. Artaxerxes III Ochus – 337-336
14. Arses Darius III- 335-331

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which does not alter. Daniel 6:8.