Darius דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ
Persian king who decreed the rebuilding of the Temple
Who is Darius in the Bible?
Darius was a king of Persia, likely Darius I (ruled 522-486 BC), who played a crucial role in enabling the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple after the Babylonian exile. Early in his reign, Temple reconstruction had stalled due to local opposition, but in his second year, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah urged the Jewish people to resume the work (Haggai 1:1, 15; Zechariah 1:1, 7). When Persian officials questioned the Jews' authority to rebuild, the community appealed to an earlier decree from King Cyrus, and Darius's administration ultimately supported the project (Ezra 4:5). His approval was theologically significant because it allowed God's Temple to be restored, fulfilling the prophetic promises of restoration and demonstrating divine providence even within pagan empires.
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
- Ezra 4:5
"They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 4:24
"Thus the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill 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, so that they were not stopped until a report was sent to Darius and written instructions about this matter were returned."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 5:6
"This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King Darius."
Study Ezra → - Ezra 5:7
"The report they sent him read as follows: To King Darius: All peace."
Study Ezra →
Haggai 3 verses
- Haggai 1:1
"In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating"
- Haggai 1:15
"on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius."
- Haggai 2:10
"On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying,"
Zechariah 3 verses
- Zechariah 1:1
"In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying:"
- Zechariah 1:7
"On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo."
- Zechariah 7:1
"In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ | Darejavesh , a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings |
| Aramaic | Hebrew | דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ | Darius. |