Archaeology: The Cyrus cylinder

A 9-inch long clay Akkadian cuneiform cylinder found at ancient Babylon, dating to 539 B.C., tells of King Cyrus of Persia’s conquest of Babylon and of his decree to let captives held by Babylon return to their lands and restore their temples.

King Cyrus of Persia also made a similar decree that the Jews, carried away captive to Babylon, could return to Jerusalem.

Cyrus sent the Jews back to their homeland after many years of exile in Babylon as Isaiah prophesied (2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 1:1-4; Isaiah 44:28). This “return home” decree was one of many issued by Cyrus. Though not mentioning Judah, it confirms that this was Cyrus’ policy and gives credibility to the biblical record.

Kyle Campbell