King Cyrus and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Temple

King Cyrus of Persia issued the decree for the Israelites to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem in 536 B.C., while the Samaritans were later refused any part in the workCRBJ 53.3+2.

The Decree of King Cyrus 📜

In the first year of his reign, 536 B.C., Cyrus was stirred by the Spirit of God to fulfill the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the end of the seventy years' captivity 2 Chronicles 36:22ARSH May 17, 1898, page 317.5+1. He issued a written proclamation throughout his entire empire, acknowledging that the Lord God of heaven had charged him to build a house at Jerusalem Ezra 1:1-2. Cyrus even returned the sacred gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had originally taken from the temple Ezra 1:7PTUK August 28, 1902, page 548.15.

The Exclusion of the Samaritans 🚫

When the work on the temple foundation began, the Samaritans—who were a mix of people placed in the region by the king of Assyria—approached the Jewish leaders 2 Kings 17:24SBD Samaritans.2+1. They claimed to seek the same God and offered to help with the building, but their offer was a pretense to hide a rebellious intentPTUK September 4, 1902, page 565.10+1. The leaders of Israel, including Zerubbabel and Jeshua, firmly refused them, stating that the Samaritans had nothing to do with building a house to the God of Israel and that the Israelites alone would build as King Cyrus had commanded Ezra 4:3SS 292.2+1.

Key Dates and Timeline ⏳

• 536 B.C.: King Cyrus issued his famous decree marking the end of the seventy years of captivity and the beginning of the restorationSITI March 19, 1902, page 175.6+1.

• 535 B.C.: The Samaritans began their systematic opposition after being refused participation in the building projectPTUK September 4, 1902, page 565.10+1.

• 534 B.C.: In the third year of Cyrus, the prophet Daniel fated and prayed for three weeks because of the influence these "hired counselors" had at the Persian court Daniel 10:1-3BEST June 8, 1896, page 171.3+1.

• 520 B.C.: After years of being hindered, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirred the people to resume the work in the second year of King Darius Ezra 5:1-2STTHD 73.2+1.

• 515 B.C.: The temple was finally finished on the third day of the month Adar, during the sixth year of the reign of Darius Ezra 6:15SITI February 18, 1886, page 106.4+1.

The Nature of the Opposition 🛡️

Following their rejection, the Samaritans became open enemies of the workSBD Samaritans.2+1. They hired counselors to frustrate the purpose of the Jews and wrote accusations to subsequent Persian kings, including Ahasuerus (Cambyses) and Artaxerxes (Smerdis), eventually causing the work to cease by force until the reign of Darius Ezra 4:4-24PTUK September 4, 1902, page 565.10+1. Nevertheless, the eye of God was upon the elders of the Jews, ensuring the work eventually reached its completion Ezra 5:5SITI April 16, 1902, page 5.3.