Topical Bible: Persia: Captivity Foretold

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The biblical narrative concerning Persia is intricately linked with the prophetic foretelling of the Babylonian captivity and the subsequent liberation of the Israelites. Persia, known in the Bible as a dominant empire, plays a pivotal role in the fulfillment of God's promises and judgments upon His people.

Prophetic Warnings and the Babylonian Captivity

The prophets of Israel, particularly Isaiah and Jeremiah, were instrumental in warning the nation of impending judgment due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. Isaiah prophesied about the coming Babylonian captivity, a period when the Israelites would be exiled from their land as a consequence of their sins. In Isaiah 39:6-7 , the prophet declares to King Hezekiah: "Behold, the days are coming when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

Jeremiah also foretold the captivity, emphasizing the duration of seventy years. In Jeremiah 25:11-12 , he states: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. But when the seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it a perpetual desolation."

The Rise of Persia and the Liberation of the Israelites

The rise of the Persian Empire under King Cyrus the Great marked a significant turning point in the history of Israel. The prophecies concerning the end of the Babylonian captivity and the restoration of the Israelites to their homeland were fulfilled through the actions of Cyrus. Isaiah, in a remarkable prophecy, mentions Cyrus by name long before his birth, highlighting his role as God's chosen instrument for the liberation of His people. Isaiah 44:28 records: "who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, and he will fulfill all My pleasure,’ saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Its foundation will be laid.’"

The decree of Cyrus, as recorded in Ezra 1:2-3 , allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple: "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem.’"

Persia's Role in God's Sovereign Plan

The involvement of Persia in the biblical narrative underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations. Despite the Israelites' unfaithfulness, God used a foreign power to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His control over history and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The Persian Empire, under the leadership of Cyrus, became an instrument of divine providence, facilitating the return of the Jewish exiles and the restoration of worship in Jerusalem.

The prophetic foretelling of the captivity and the subsequent rise of Persia serve as a testament to the accuracy and reliability of God's word, as well as His unwavering commitment to His people. Through the lens of biblical prophecy, Persia emerges not merely as a historical empire but as a key player in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for Israel and, ultimately, for all humanity.

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Hosea 13:16
Samaria shall become desolate; for she has rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
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Library

The Prophecies
... from the Babylonish captivity, which event, Jeremiah foretold, should occur within
seventy years: "Now in the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, that the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/3 the prophecies.htm

The Return of the Exiles
... by the seventy years' captivity, as foretold through Jeremiah ... When the Lord turned
again the captivity of Zion ... even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 45 the return of.htm

How Cyrus, King of the Persians, Delivered the Jews Out Of
... land, and build my temple." This was foretold by Isaiah ... of his family, that the kingdom
of Persia may continue. ... of those that came out of captivity to Jerusalem ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how cyrus king.htm

How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ...
... From The Death Of Ahab To The Captivity Of The ... still] a river of that name in Persia,]
into Samaria ... would not hearken to the prophets, who foretold that this ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how shalmaneser took.htm

Psalm LXV.
... in the most interior regions of Persia, which for a ... a citizen of Jerusalem, let him
endure captivity, hope for ... Have all been foretold, as going to believe in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxv.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... as King Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded ... like scriptures; and in the recent
captivity they had ... them and their fathers the judgments foretold so plainly ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... from the Persians, for that God foretold this to ... rendered the mind of the king of
Persia favorable to ... up kingly government; for before their captivity, and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ...
... Johanan and the people that God had foretold these things ... formerly belonged to the
inner parts of Persia and Media ... of time which passed from the captivity of the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how nebuzaradan set.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... a captivity which he had himself foretold in accordance ... her temple burned, and her
children groaning in captivity. ... mentioned not as the king of Persia, but as ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Babylon.
... which was to be the place of captivity of the ... as the besieged, till, as Ezekiel had
foretold, every head ... aside by the devouring bear of Persia; then followed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm