Journey Through the Minor Prophets, Part 3නියැදිය

Haggai: Behind the Text

To get an idea of what’s happening in the background of the final three prophets of the Old Testament (and Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah), you can watch this short video and tap through the Gallery of photos.

The Timeline

Persian Kings & the Bible

Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC), king of the Persian Empire, issued the decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. This famous artifact, the Cyrus Cylinder, recounts Cyrus’ sacking of Babylon and his invitation for exiles to return home.

This is Cyrus’ tomb. Cyrus was remembered fondly by certain traditions in the Old Testament. Most notably, he is called an anointed (messiah) of the LORD in Isaiah 45:1.

Darius I became king of Persia in 522 BC. He is specifically mentioned in Haggai and Zechariah. Darius is remembered for his reorganization of the Persian Empire. This panel of sphinxes was originally in the palace of Darius I in Susa.

This wall decoration portraying Persian soldiers was in Darius’ palace in Susa. Darius engaged in campaigns to gain control over new lands and squash internal rebellions. Darius I reigned until 486 BC and significantly expanded the empire.

A Persian hybrid of man and bull. Such images were a staple in the ancient Near East. This was taken from a column that lined the halls of the palace of Xerxes I (486–465 BC) who saw Persia reach its territorial apex and was likely the king in the book of Esther.

The final Persian king referenced in the OT (Ezra and Nehemiah) was Artaxerxes (464–423 BC). During his reign, Greece and Egypt began to put pressure on the Persian Empire. This small vessel is inscribed in four languages and references Artaxerxes.