Darius דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ
Persian king who decreed the rebuilding of the Temple
Biography
Darius, mentioned in the books of Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, was a king of Persia who played a significant role in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He is often referred to as Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, who ruled the Persian Empire from 522 to 486 BC.
During the early years of Darius' reign, the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem had been halted due to opposition from the neighboring peoples (Ezr.4.5). However, in the second year of Darius' reign, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophesy to the Jews, encouraging them to resume the Temple construction (Hag.1.1, 15; Zec.1.1, 7).
When the Persian officials questioned the Jews' authority to rebuild the Temple, they appealed to the decree issued by Cyrus years earlier (Ezr.5.5-7). Darius then ordered a search of the archives, and Cyrus' decree was found (Ezr.6.1). Darius issued a new decree, confirming Cyrus' original order and providing support for the Temple's reconstruction (Ezr.6.12-14).
With Darius' backing, the Jews completed the Temple reconstruction in the sixth year of his reign (Ezr.6.15). This event was a significant milestone in the restoration of Jewish worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
The mention of Darius in these biblical books demonstrates the Persian Empire's role in the history of Israel and the fulfillment of God's plan for His people.
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In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study contentEzra 5 verses Study available
- Ezra 4:5
"They hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 4:24
"Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 5:5
"But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease, until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 5:6
"The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 5:7
"They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace."
Study Ezra →
Haggai 3 verses
- Haggai 1:1
"In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, Yahweh’s word came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,"
- Haggai 1:15
"in the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king."
- Haggai 2:10
"In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,"
Zechariah 3 verses
- Zechariah 1:1
"In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,"
- Zechariah 1:7
"On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, the prophet, saying,"
- Zechariah 7:1
"In the fourth year of king Darius, Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ | H1867H |
| Aramaic | Hebrew | דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ | H1868G |