Overview
The Medo-Persian Empire succeeded the Babylonian kingdom as the dominant world power, ruling from approximately 539-331 BC. Under Persian rule, the Jewish exiles were permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, fulfilling God's promise through the prophets. The book of Esther reveals how God protected His people even in diaspora under Persian rule, while Ezra documents the restoration of worship and the Jewish community.
Key Scriptures
"So King Darius signed the document and edict" (Daniel 6:9, ESV). "Then King Artaxerxes issued a decree, and they stopped the work" (Ezra 4:21, NIV). "Now when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, in the third year of his reign, he gave a banquet" (Esther 1:2-3, NASB).
Application
Remember that God's purposes continue even when His people live under ungodly rulers, and He often works through secular authorities to accomplish His redemptive plan.
✦ Scripture References 40 references
✦ Topical Scripture Breakdown 68 verses
A bear
A ram with two horns
Achmetha or Ecbatana a chief city of
Ahasuerus or Cambyses
Artaxerxes Longimanus or Ahasuerus
Artaxerxes Smerdis (an usurper)
Babylon taken by the king of
Called kings of Assyria
Called kings of Babylon
Celebrated for wise men
Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus
Darius Hystaspes
Deliverance of the Jews
Divided into many provinces
Downfall by Alexander
Dwelt in royal palaces
Entertained magnificently
Extended from India to Ethiopia
Extensive conquest
Held in their hand a golden sceptre
Invasion of Greece under Xerxes
Laws of, unalterable
Peculiar customs in
People of, warlike
Peopled by descendants of Eliam
Put to death all who approached them without permission
Ruled by, absolute kings
Shushan a chief city of
Silver part of image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream
Styled themselves king of kings
The Jews delivered from captivity by means of
Were exceeding rich
Xerxes