Persia: The Princes Were Advisors in Matters of Administration
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Persia, a significant empire in biblical history, is frequently mentioned in the context of its influence over the Jewish people and its role in the unfolding of God's plan. The Persian Empire, known for its vast expanse and administrative sophistication, played a pivotal role in the post-exilic period of Israel's history. The empire's governance structure included a system where princes and nobles served as advisors in matters of administration, reflecting a well-organized bureaucratic system.

The Book of Daniel provides insight into the administrative structure of the Persian Empire. Daniel 6:1-2 states, "Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss." This passage highlights the hierarchical nature of Persian administration, where satraps, or provincial governors, were overseen by higher officials, ensuring efficient governance and accountability.

The role of princes and advisors is further illustrated in the Book of Esther, which provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the Persian court. Esther 1:13-14 describes how King Xerxes consulted "wise men who understood the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice. His closest advisors were Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom." These princes were not only advisors but also held significant influence in the decision-making processes of the empire.

The Persian administrative system, with its reliance on advisors and princes, facilitated the implementation of royal decrees and the management of a vast and diverse empire. This structure is evident in the decree of Cyrus, king of Persia, which allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Ezra 1:1-2 records, "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing: '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.'"

The Persian Empire's administrative practices, including the use of princes as advisors, were instrumental in maintaining order and executing the king's policies across its territories. This system not only ensured the stability of the empire but also facilitated the fulfillment of divine purposes, as seen in the restoration of the Jewish people to their homeland.
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Daniel 6:1-7
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
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Resources
Who is the prince of Persia in Daniel 10? | GotQuestions.org

What role does Iran play in the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Artaxerxes in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Iran

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Achmetha or Ecbatana a Chief City of

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Babylon Taken by the King of

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Celebrated for Wise Men

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Divided Into Many Provinces

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Extended from India to Ethiopia

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Illustrated by a Bear

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Illustrated by a Ram With Two Horns

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Illustrated by Silver Part of Image in Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Called Kings of Assyria

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Called Kings of Babylon

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Dwelt in Royal Palaces

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Entertained Magnificently

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Held in Their Hand a Golden Sceptre

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Put to Death all Who Approached Them Without Permission

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Styled Themselves King of Kings

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of Were Exceeding Rich

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Ahasuerus or Cambyses

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Artaxerxes Longimanus or Ahasuerus

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Artaxerxes Smerdis (An Usurper)

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Cyrus

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Darius Hystaspes

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Kings of, Mentioned in Scripture: Xerxes

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Laws of, Unalterable

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Peculiar Customs In

Medo-Persian Kingdom: People of, Warlike

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Peopled by Descendants of Eliam

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Babylon

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Predictions Respecting: Deliverance of the Jews

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Predictions Respecting: Downfall by Alexander

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Predictions Respecting: Extensive Conquest

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Greece Under Xerxes

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Ruled By, Absolute Kings

Medo-Persian Kingdom: Shushan a Chief City of

Medo-Persian Kingdom: The Jews Delivered from Captivity by Means of

Persia

Persia: An Empire Which Extended from India to Ethiopia, Comprising One-Hundred and Twenty-Seven Provinces

Persia: Artaxerxes I

Persia: Artaxerxes Ii

Persia: Captivity Foretold

Persia: Cyrus

Persia: Darius

Persia: Government of, Restricted by Constitutional Limitations

Persia: Israel Captive In

Persia: Men of, in the Tyrian Army

Persia: Municipal Governments In, Provided With Dual Governors

Persia: Princes of

Persia: Prophecies Concerning

Persia: Rulers of Ahasuerus

Persia: Status of Women In; Queen Sat on the Throne With the King

Persia: System of Justice

Persia: The Princes Were Advisors in Matters of Administration

Persia: Vashti Was Divorced for Refusing to Appear Before the King's Courtiers

Related Terms

Media (14 Occurrences)

Realm (23 Occurrences)

Waked (13 Occurrences)

Intimation (4 Occurrences)

Cambyses

Proclamation (31 Occurrences)

Darius (26 Occurrences)

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)

Medes (15 Occurrences)

Artaxerxes (14 Occurrences)

Elymais

Parthians (1 Occurrence)

Ar-ta-xerx'es (14 Occurrences)

Aryan

Persians (6 Occurrences)

Completion (40 Occurrences)

Accomplished (64 Occurrences)

Stirred (64 Occurrences)

Armenian

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)

Zoroastrianism

Great (10383 Occurrences)

Michael (16 Occurrences)

Cyrus (20 Occurrences)

Fulfill (80 Occurrences)

Public (99 Occurrences)

Nobles (71 Occurrences)

Versions

Nephthar

Nephthai

Javan (12 Occurrences)

Grecia (3 Occurrences)

Withstood (7 Occurrences)

Withstanding (2 Occurrences)

Frustrate (7 Occurrences)

Twenty-one (7 Occurrences)

Rages (5 Occurrences)

Resisted (8 Occurrences)

Reign (468 Occurrences)

Ragau (1 Occurrence)

Deer (15 Occurrences)

Detained (8 Occurrences)

Mithredath (2 Occurrences)

Marsena (1 Occurrence)

Mith'redath (2 Occurrences)

Memucan (3 Occurrences)

Philosophy (1 Occurrence)

Phut (7 Occurrences)

Plans (55 Occurrences)

Bishlam (1 Occurrence)

Carshena (1 Occurrence)

Counsellors (21 Occurrences)

Counselors (21 Occurrences)

Admatha (1 Occurrence)

Sheep (413 Occurrences)

Salamis (1 Occurrence)

Testaments

Shushan (19 Occurrences)

Helmet (10 Occurrences)

Statement (88 Occurrences)

Between (2624 Occurrences)

Hiring (5 Occurrences)

Lud (10 Occurrences)

Edict (22 Occurrences)

Serpent (40 Occurrences)

Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)

Cush (31 Occurrences)

Persian (4 Occurrences)

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)

Void (64 Occurrences)

Hired (49 Occurrences)

Alexander (5 Occurrences)

Mordecai (52 Occurrences)

Kingdoms (65 Occurrences)

Elamites (2 Occurrences)

Military (44 Occurrences)

Ezranehemiah

Ezra-nehemiah

Persia: System of Justice
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