Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Babylon » Predictions respecting » Restoration of the jews from
But the LORD will be merciful unto Jacob, and will take up Israel again, and set them in their own land. Strangers shall cleave unto them, and get them to the house of Jacob. The people shall take them, and carry them home to their own land. And the house of Israel shall have them in possession for servants and maidens in the land of the LORD. They shall take those prisoners, whose captives they had been afore: and rule those that had oppressed them. When the LORD now shall bring thee to rest; from the travail, fear, and hard bondage that thou wast laden withal. read more.
Then shalt thou use this mockage upon the king of Babylon, and say: How happeneth that the oppressor leaveth off? Is the gold tribute come to an end?
Then shalt thou use this mockage upon the king of Babylon, and say: How happeneth that the oppressor leaveth off? Is the gold tribute come to an end?
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
Ye shall go away from Babylon, and escape the Chaldeans with a merry voice. This shall be spoken of, declared abroad, and go forth unto the end of the world: so that it shall be said, "The LORD hath defended his servant Jacob,
But thus sayeth the LORD: When ye have fulfilled seventy years at Babylon, I will bring you home, and of mine own goodness I will carry you hither again to this place.
In those days, and at that time, sayeth the LORD, the children of Israel shall come; they and the children of Judah, weeping and making haste, and shall seek the LORD their God.
Yet shall ye flee from Babylon, and depart out of the land of the Chaldeans, and ye shall be as the rams that go before the flock.
And will bring Israel again to his pleasant pasture, that he may feed upon Carmel and Bashan, and be satisfied upon the mount of Ephraim and Gilead.
Cyrus » Prophecies concerning
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
I call a bird out of the East, and all that I take in hand, out of far countries, as soon as I command, I bring it hither: as soon as I think to devise a thing, I do it.
Thus sayeth the LORD unto Cyrus his anointed, whom I have taken by the righthand, to subdue nations before him: I will loose the girdles of kings, that they shall open the gates before thy face, and not to shut their doors. I will go before thee, and make the crooked straight. I shall break the brazen doors, and burst the iron bars. I shall give thee the hid treasure and the thing which is secretly kept, that thou mayest know, that I the God of Israel have called thee by thy name: read more.
and that for Jacob my servant's sake, and for Israel my chosen. For I called thee by name, and ordained thee before thou knewest me.
and that for Jacob my servant's sake, and for Israel my chosen. For I called thee by name, and ordained thee before thou knewest me.
For lo, I shall bring up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver, nor be desirous of gold. Then shall young men's bows be knapped asunder. The Medes shall have no pity upon women with child, and their faces shall not spare the children. And Babylon, that glory of kingdoms and beauty of the Chaldeans' honor, shall be destroyed, even as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorra. read more.
It shall never be more inhabited; neither shall there be any more dwelling there, from generation to generation. The Arabians shall make no more tents there; neither shall the shepherds make their folds there any more; but wild beasts shall lie there, and the houses shall be full of great owls. Ostriches shall dwell there, and apes shall dance there: the little owls shall cry in the palaces, one after another, and Dragons shall be in their pleasant parlors. And as for Babylon's time, it is at hand, and her days shall not be prolonged.
It shall never be more inhabited; neither shall there be any more dwelling there, from generation to generation. The Arabians shall make no more tents there; neither shall the shepherds make their folds there any more; but wild beasts shall lie there, and the houses shall be full of great owls. Ostriches shall dwell there, and apes shall dance there: the little owls shall cry in the palaces, one after another, and Dragons shall be in their pleasant parlors. And as for Babylon's time, it is at hand, and her days shall not be prolonged.
Whoso may deceive, said the voice, let him deceive: Who so may destroy, let him destroy. Up Elam, besiege it O Media, for I will still all their groanings.
Who raiseth up the just from the rising of the Sun, and calleth him to go forth? Who casteth down the people, and subdueth the kings before him: that he may throw them all to the ground with his sword, and scatter them like stubble with his bow?
I shall wake him up with righteousness, and order all his ways. He shall build my city, and let out my prisoners: and that neither for gifts or rewards, sayeth the LORD of Hosts.
Gather you all together, and hearken: Which of yonder gods hath declared this? The LORD God hath a love unto him, and he shall perform his will against Babel and declare his power against the Chaldeans. I myself alone have told you this before. Yea, I shall call him and bring him forth, and give him a prosperous journey.
Jerusalem » Prophecies of the rebuilding of
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
Understand this then, and mark it well: That from the time it shall be concluded to go and repair Jerusalem again, unto Christ, the anointed Prince: there shall be seven weeks.Then shall the streets and walls be builded again sixty two weeks, but with hard troublous time.
Behold, the days come, sayeth the LORD, that the city of the LORD shall be enlarged from the tower of Hananel, unto the gate of the corner wall. From thence shall the right measure be taken before her unto the hill top of Gareb, and shall come about Golgotha and the whole valley of the dead carcasses, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron: and from thence unto the corner of the horse gate toward the East, whereas the Sanctuary of the LORD also shall be set. And when it is now builded, and set up of this fashion it shall never be broken, nor cast down anymore."
The other five thousand after the breadth that lieth by the twenty five thousand shall be common: it shall belong to the city and to the suburbs for habitations, and the city shall stand in the midst thereof. Let this be the measure: toward the north part, five hundred and four thousand; toward the south part five hundred and four thousand; toward the east part five hundred and four thousand; toward the west part five hundred and four thousand. The suburbs hard upon the city shall have toward the north, fifty and two hundred; and toward the south, fifty and two hundred; and toward the east, fifty and two hundred; and toward the west also, fifty and two hundred. read more.
As for the residue of the length, that lieth hard upon the separated holy ground: namely ten thousand toward the east and ten thousand toward the west, next unto the holy portion: it and the increase thereof shall serve for their meat, that labour in the city. They that labour for the wealth of the city, shall maintain this also, out of what tribe soever they be in Israel. All that is separated of the twenty five thousand long and twenty five thousand broad on the four parts, that shall ye put aside for the separated portion of the Sanctuary, and for the possession of the city. The residue upon both the sides of the Sanctuary and possession of the city, shall belong to the prince, before the place of the twenty five thousand unto the east end, and before the place of the twenty five thousand westward, unto the borders of the city: this shall be the prince's portion. This shall be the holy place, and the house of the Sanctuary shall stand in the midst. Moreover, from the Levites and the cities possession, that lie in the midst of the prince's part, look: what remaineth betwixt the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, it shall be the prince's.
As for the residue of the length, that lieth hard upon the separated holy ground: namely ten thousand toward the east and ten thousand toward the west, next unto the holy portion: it and the increase thereof shall serve for their meat, that labour in the city. They that labour for the wealth of the city, shall maintain this also, out of what tribe soever they be in Israel. All that is separated of the twenty five thousand long and twenty five thousand broad on the four parts, that shall ye put aside for the separated portion of the Sanctuary, and for the possession of the city. The residue upon both the sides of the Sanctuary and possession of the city, shall belong to the prince, before the place of the twenty five thousand unto the east end, and before the place of the twenty five thousand westward, unto the borders of the city: this shall be the prince's portion. This shall be the holy place, and the house of the Sanctuary shall stand in the midst. Moreover, from the Levites and the cities possession, that lie in the midst of the prince's part, look: what remaineth betwixt the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, it shall be the prince's.
In that time shall there waters of life run out from Jerusalem: the half part of them toward the east sea, and the other half toward the utmost sea, and shall continue both summer and winter. And the LORD himself shall be king over all the earth. At that time shall there be one LORD only, and his name shall be but one. Men shall go about the whole earth, as upon a field: from Geba to Rimmon, and from the south to Jerusalem. She shall be set up, and inhabited in her place: from Benjamin's port, unto the place of the first port, and unto the corner port: and from the tower of Hananel, unto the king's wine presses. read more.
There shall men dwell, and there shall be no more cursing: but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
There shall men dwell, and there shall be no more cursing: but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.
Jerusalem » Prophecies respecting » To be rebuilt by cyrus
But I set up the purpose of my servants, and fulfill the counsel of my messengers. I say unto Jerusalem, "Turn again," and to the cities of Judah, "Be ye builded again," and I repair their decayed places. I say to the ground, "Be dry," and I dry up thy water floods. I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
Medo-persian kingdom » Predictions respecting » Deliverance of the jews
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
Thus sayeth the LORD unto Cyrus his anointed, whom I have taken by the righthand, to subdue nations before him: I will loose the girdles of kings, that they shall open the gates before thy face, and not to shut their doors. I will go before thee, and make the crooked straight. I shall break the brazen doors, and burst the iron bars. I shall give thee the hid treasure and the thing which is secretly kept, that thou mayest know, that I the God of Israel have called thee by thy name: read more.
and that for Jacob my servant's sake, and for Israel my chosen. For I called thee by name, and ordained thee before thou knewest me.
and that for Jacob my servant's sake, and for Israel my chosen. For I called thee by name, and ordained thee before thou knewest me.
Persia » Cyrus
Nevertheless, they gave money unto the masons and the carpenters, and meat and drink and oil unto them of Sidon and of Tyre, to bring Cedar timber from Lebanon by sea unto Joppa, according to the commandment of Cyrus the king of Persia.
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
I call a bird out of the East, and all that I take in hand, out of far countries, as soon as I command, I bring it hither: as soon as I think to devise a thing, I do it.
Thus sayeth the LORD unto Cyrus his anointed, whom I have taken by the righthand, to subdue nations before him: I will loose the girdles of kings, that they shall open the gates before thy face, and not to shut their doors. I will go before thee, and make the crooked straight. I shall break the brazen doors, and burst the iron bars. I shall give thee the hid treasure and the thing which is secretly kept, that thou mayest know, that I the God of Israel have called thee by thy name: read more.
and that for Jacob my servant's sake, and for Israel my chosen. For I called thee by name, and ordained thee before thou knewest me.
and that for Jacob my servant's sake, and for Israel my chosen. For I called thee by name, and ordained thee before thou knewest me.
And the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to finish the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia that he made a proclamation throughout all this kingdom, and thereto to set it up in writing, saying, "Thus sayeth Cyrus king of Persia: 'All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me, which hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem that is in the land of Judah. Wherefore, whosoever is among you of all his people, the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.'"
"In the first year of king Cyrus, commanded the same king Cyrus to build the house of God at Jerusalem, in the place where the sacrifice is made, and to lay the foundation to bear threescore cubits height, threescore cubits breadth,
I shall wake him up with righteousness, and order all his ways. He shall build my city, and let out my prisoners: and that neither for gifts or rewards, sayeth the LORD of Hosts.
Gather you all together, and hearken: Which of yonder gods hath declared this? The LORD God hath a love unto him, and he shall perform his will against Babel and declare his power against the Chaldeans. I myself alone have told you this before. Yea, I shall call him and bring him forth, and give him a prosperous journey.
But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the other ancient fathers of Israel answered them, "It belongeth not to you, but to us to build the house unto our God: for we ourselves will build alone unto the LORD our God of Israel, as Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us."
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus commanded to build this house of God - for the vessels of gold and silver in the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple at Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple at Babylon: those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and delivered them unto Sheshbazzar by name, whom he made captain,
If it please the king now, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is at Babylon, whether it have been king Cyrus' commandment, that the house of God at Jerusalem should be builded: and send us the king's mind concerning the same."
Who raiseth up the just from the rising of the Sun, and calleth him to go forth? Who casteth down the people, and subdueth the kings before him: that he may throw them all to the ground with his sword, and scatter them like stubble with his bow? He followeth upon them, and goeth safely himself, and cometh in no foot path with his feet.
Shepherd » Figurative » A name given to cyrus
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
Shepherds » Illustrative » Of kings as the leaders of the people
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
Behold, like as the Lion cometh up from the pleasant meadows of Jordan unto the green pastures of Etham, so will I drive him, and make him run against her. But who is the young man that I will ordain thereto? Who is like unto me? What is he that will strive with me? What shepherd may stand in my hands?
Their tents shall they pitch round about her, and every one shall feed his part with his hand.
Temple » The second » Prophecies of its restoration
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
Behold, I send my messenger which shall prepare the way before me. And suddenly shall the Lord whom ye seek, come unto his temple, and the messenger of the covenant whom ye desire. Behold, he cometh saith the LORD Sabaoth.
Upon this I heard one of the saints speaking, which saint said unto one that asked this question, "How long shall this vision of the daily sacrifice and of the wasting abomination endure: that the Sanctuary and the power shall so be trodden under foot?" And he answered him, "Unto the evening and the morning, even two thousand and three hundred days. Then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed again."
Therefore thus sayeth the LORD: I will turn me again in mercy toward Jerusalem, so that my house shall be builded in it, sayeth the LORD of Hosts: yea and the plummet shall be laid abroad in Jerusalem, sayeth the LORD of Hosts.'
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house. His hands also shall finish it: that ye may know, how that the LORD of Hosts hath sent me unto you. For he that hath been despised a little season, shall rejoice, when he seeth the tin weight in Zerubbabel's hand. The seven eyes are the LORD's, which go through the whole world.'
And speak unto him, 'Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: Behold the man whose name is the branch: and he that shall spring up after him, shall build up the temple of the LORD. Yea, even he shall build up the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the praise, he shall sit upon the LORD's throne, and have the domination. A priest shall he be also upon his throne, and a peaceable counsel shall be betwixt them both. And the crowns shall be in the temple of the LORD, for a remembrance unto Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah and Hen the son of Zephaniah. And such as be far off, shall come and build the temple of the LORD, read more.
that ye may know, how that the LORD of Hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD your God.''
that ye may know, how that the LORD of Hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD your God.''
"Thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: let your hands be strong, ye that now hear these words by the mouth of the prophets which be in these days that the foundation is laid upon the LORD of Hosts' house, that the temple may be builded. For why? Before these days, neither men nor cattle could win anything, neither might any man come in and out in rest, for trouble: but I let every man go against his neighbour. Nevertheless I will now entreat the residue of this people no more as afore time, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, read more.
but they shall be a seed of peace. The vineyard shall give her fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew: and I shall cause the remnant of this people, to have all these in possession. And it shall come to pass, that like as ye were a curse among the Heathen, O ye house of Judah and ye house of Israel: Even so will I deliver you, that ye shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong. For thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: Like as I devised to punish you, what time as your fathers provoked me unto wrath, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, and spared not. Even so am I determined now in these days, for to do well unto the house of Judah and Jerusalem, therefore fear ye not.
but they shall be a seed of peace. The vineyard shall give her fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew: and I shall cause the remnant of this people, to have all these in possession. And it shall come to pass, that like as ye were a curse among the Heathen, O ye house of Judah and ye house of Israel: Even so will I deliver you, that ye shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong. For thus sayeth the LORD of Hosts: Like as I devised to punish you, what time as your fathers provoked me unto wrath, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, and spared not. Even so am I determined now in these days, for to do well unto the house of Judah and Jerusalem, therefore fear ye not.
Temple » The second » Restored by zerubbabel
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."
And certain of the ancient fathers gave unto the work. Hathirsatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams, fifty basens, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. And some of the chief fathers gave unto the treasure of the work, twenty thousand and two hundred pound of silver. And the other people gave twenty thousand drams, and two thousand pound of silver, and seven and three score priests' garments.
And certain of the chief fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, they offered willingly unto the house of God, that it should be set in his place; and gave after their ability, unto the treasure of the work, one and three score thousand drams, and five thousand pounds of silver, and a hundred priests' garments.
And there stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. And the altar set they upon his sockets - for there was a fearfulness among them because of the nations and the lands - and offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, in the morning and at evening. And held the feast of tabernacles as it is written, and offered burnt sacrifices daily, in order: according to the custom, day by day. read more.
Afterward, the daily burnt offering also, and of the new moons and of all the feast days of the LORD that were hallowed, and all manner of freewill offerings, which they did of their own freewill unto the LORD. Upon the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt sacrifices unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. Nevertheless, they gave money unto the masons and the carpenters, and meat and drink and oil unto them of Sidon and of Tyre, to bring Cedar timber from Lebanon by sea unto Joppa, according to the commandment of Cyrus the king of Persia. In the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem: and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and above, to see that the work of the house of the LORD went forward. And Jeshua stood with his sons and his brethren, and Kadmiel with his sons and the children of Judah, to further the workmen of the house of God; namely, the children of Henadad with their children and their brethren the Levites. And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their array, with trumpets, and the Levites, the children of Asaph, with cymbals; to praise the LORD, after the manner of David, king of Israel. And they sang together, giving praise and thanks unto the LORD; because he is gracious, and because his mercy endureth forever upon Israel. And all the people shouted loud in praising the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Many also of the old priests and Levites and ancient fathers which had seen the first house - when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes - wept with a loud voice. And many shouted with joy, so that the noise gave a great sound, insomuch that the people could not know the joyful sound for the noise of the weeping among the people: for the people shouted with a loud cry, so that the noise was heard afar off.
Afterward, the daily burnt offering also, and of the new moons and of all the feast days of the LORD that were hallowed, and all manner of freewill offerings, which they did of their own freewill unto the LORD. Upon the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt sacrifices unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. Nevertheless, they gave money unto the masons and the carpenters, and meat and drink and oil unto them of Sidon and of Tyre, to bring Cedar timber from Lebanon by sea unto Joppa, according to the commandment of Cyrus the king of Persia. In the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem: and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and above, to see that the work of the house of the LORD went forward. And Jeshua stood with his sons and his brethren, and Kadmiel with his sons and the children of Judah, to further the workmen of the house of God; namely, the children of Henadad with their children and their brethren the Levites. And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests stood in their array, with trumpets, and the Levites, the children of Asaph, with cymbals; to praise the LORD, after the manner of David, king of Israel. And they sang together, giving praise and thanks unto the LORD; because he is gracious, and because his mercy endureth forever upon Israel. And all the people shouted loud in praising the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Many also of the old priests and Levites and ancient fathers which had seen the first house - when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes - wept with a loud voice. And many shouted with joy, so that the noise gave a great sound, insomuch that the people could not know the joyful sound for the noise of the weeping among the people: for the people shouted with a loud cry, so that the noise was heard afar off.
Then gat up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God at Jerusalem, and with them the Prophets of God which strengthened them. At the same time came to them Tattenai, which was the captain on this side the water, and Shetharbozenai, and their counselors, and said thus unto them, "Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up the walls thereof?" Then told we them the names of the men, that made this building. read more.
But the eye of their God came upon the Elders of the Jews, that they were not inhibited, till the matter was brought before Darius, and till there came a writing thereof again. This is the copy of the letter that Tattenai the captain on this side the water, and Shetharbozenai, and their counselors of Arphaxad, which were on this side the water, sent unto king Darius; And this is the intent of the words that they sent unto him: "Unto Darius the king, all peace. Be it known unto the king, that we came into Jewry to the house of the great God, which is builded with all manner of stone, and beams are laid in the walls, and the work goeth fast forth, and prospereth in their hands? Nevertheless, we asked the Elders and said unto them, 'Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up the walls thereof?' We asked their names also, that we might certify thee, and have written the names of the men that were their rulers. But they answered us with these words, and said, 'We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. But after our forefathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them over into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, which brake down this house, and carried the people away unto Babylon. But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus commanded to build this house of God - for the vessels of gold and silver in the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple at Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple at Babylon: those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and delivered them unto Sheshbazzar by name, whom he made captain, and said unto him, 'Take these vessels, go thy way, and bring them unto the temple at Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.' Then came the same Sheshbazzar and laid the foundation of the house of God at Jerusalem. Since that time hath it been in building, and yet is it not finished. If it please the king now, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is at Babylon, whether it have been king Cyrus' commandment, that the house of God at Jerusalem should be builded: and send us the king's mind concerning the same."
But the eye of their God came upon the Elders of the Jews, that they were not inhibited, till the matter was brought before Darius, and till there came a writing thereof again. This is the copy of the letter that Tattenai the captain on this side the water, and Shetharbozenai, and their counselors of Arphaxad, which were on this side the water, sent unto king Darius; And this is the intent of the words that they sent unto him: "Unto Darius the king, all peace. Be it known unto the king, that we came into Jewry to the house of the great God, which is builded with all manner of stone, and beams are laid in the walls, and the work goeth fast forth, and prospereth in their hands? Nevertheless, we asked the Elders and said unto them, 'Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up the walls thereof?' We asked their names also, that we might certify thee, and have written the names of the men that were their rulers. But they answered us with these words, and said, 'We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. But after our forefathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them over into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, which brake down this house, and carried the people away unto Babylon. But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, the same king Cyrus commanded to build this house of God - for the vessels of gold and silver in the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple at Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple at Babylon: those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and delivered them unto Sheshbazzar by name, whom he made captain, and said unto him, 'Take these vessels, go thy way, and bring them unto the temple at Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.' Then came the same Sheshbazzar and laid the foundation of the house of God at Jerusalem. Since that time hath it been in building, and yet is it not finished. If it please the king now, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is at Babylon, whether it have been king Cyrus' commandment, that the house of God at Jerusalem should be builded: and send us the king's mind concerning the same."
"In the first year of king Cyrus, commanded the same king Cyrus to build the house of God at Jerusalem, in the place where the sacrifice is made, and to lay the foundation to bear threescore cubits height, threescore cubits breadth, and three walls of all maner of stones, and one wall of timber, and the expenses shall be given of the king's house. And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God - which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon - shall be restored again, that they may be brought unto the temple at Jerusalem to their place into the house of God."
'Who is left among you, that saw this house in her first beauty? But what think ye now by it? Is it not in your eyes, even as though it were nothing?
The Second Temple » Cyrus » His decree for building, predicted
I say to Cyrus, "Thou art mine herdsman," so that he shall fulfill all things after my will. I say unto Jerusalem, "Be thou builded," and to the temple, "Be thou fast grounded."