3 Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them!—are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem;
4 and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.”
5 The heads of the families of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—got ready to go up and rebuild the house of the Lord in Jerusalem.
6 All their neighbors aided them with silver vessels, with gold, with goods, with animals, and with valuable gifts, besides all that was freely offered.
7 King Cyrus himself brought out the vessels of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods.
8 King Cyrus of Persia had them released into the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
9 And this was the inventory: gold basins, thirty; silver basins, one thousand; knives, twenty-nine;
10 gold bowls, thirty; other silver bowls, four hundred ten; other vessels, one thousand;
11 the total of the gold and silver vessels was five thousand four hundred. All these Sheshbazzar brought up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.
2
1 Now these were the people of the province who came from those captive exiles whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia; they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, all to their own towns. …
Source: Bruce M. Metzger and Roland E. Murphy, eds., The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: An Ecumenical Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991), 582–583. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cyrus in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 44:24–45:17)
24 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by myself spread out the earth;
25 who frustrates the omens of liars, and makes fools of diviners; who turns back the wise, and makes their knowledge foolish;
26 who confirms the word of his servant, and fulfills the prediction of his messengers; who says of Jerusalem, “It shall be inhabited,” and of the cities of Judah, “They shall be rebuilt, and I will raise up their ruins”;
27 who says to the deep, “Be dry—I will dry up your rivers”;
28 who says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd, and he shall carry out all my purpose”; and who says of Jerusalem, “It shall be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”
45
1 Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him—and the gates shall not be closed:
2 I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me.
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me,
6 so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7 I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.
8 Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I the Lord have created it.
9 Woe to you who strive with your Maker, earthen vessels with the potter! Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, “What are you making”? or “Your work has no handles”?
10 Woe to anyone who says to a father, “What are you begetting”? or to a woman, “With what are you in labor”?
11 Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Will you question me about my children, or command me concerning the work of my hands?
12 I made the earth, and created humankind upon it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.
13 I have aroused Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his paths straight; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward, says the Lord of hosts.
14 Thus says the Lord: The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, tall of stature, shall come over to you and be yours, they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, “God is with you alone, and there is no other; there is no God besides him.”
15 Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
16 All of them are put to shame and confounded, the makers of idols go in confusion together.
17 But Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation; you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity. …
Source: Bruce M. Metzger and Roland E. Murphy, eds., The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha: An Ecumenical Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version (New York: Oxford University Press, 1991), 927–929. Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and are used by permission. All rights reserved.
11. INSCRIPTION OF DARIUS I AT BISOTUN
The Persian Achaemenid Empire reached the zenith of its power during the reign of Darius I (Darayavaush I), who ruled from 522 to 486 BCE. Darius was an officer in the army of king Cambyses II. While Cambyses was completing his conquest of Egypt in 522 BCE, a man claiming to be Bardiya, Cambyses’s brother, revolted and proclaimed himself king. Cambyses rushed home to quell the uprising but died suddenly en route in Syria. Meanwhile, the man claiming to be Bardiya seized the throne and proclaimed himself the new ruler. The new king was opposed by a group of seven Persian officers, which included Darius. Darius claimed that the man who had seized the throne could not be Bardiya, because Cambyses had ordered the murder of his brother before leaving for Egypt. According to Darius, the new claimant to the throne was not the brother of the king but instead was a magian, or priest, named Gaumata. Denouncing the new king as a false pretender, Darius and his fellow officers attacked Bardiya/Gaumata in Media and killed him. The elimination of Bardiya/Gaumata allowed Darius to proclaim himself king. Shortly after Darius ascended the throne, mass uprisings erupted throughout the empire. After suppressing these revolts, Darius I ordered a trilingual inscription to be incised on a rock in Bisotun on the highway connecting Iran to Mesopotamia. In this inscription, the Achaemenid king named the individuals who had revolted against his authority and how he and his commanders had suppressed them. The inscription was written in Babylonian, Aramaic, and Old Persian. The complete text of the inscription, translated from the Old Persian, appears in the document below.
Note on translation: Throughout the document below, the name of the god, “Auramazda,” has been changed to the more established transliteration, “Ahuramazda.” Also, the text below has been compared to the translation of the Bisotun Inscription by Ronald G. Kent (Old Persian Grammar Texts Lexicon [New Haven: American Oriental Society, 1950], 116–134). Wherever necessary, alternative text has been added from Kent’s version in brackets.
[1.1] I (am) Darius, the great king, the king of kings, the king in Persi
a, the king of countries, the son of Hystaspes, the grandson of Arsames, the Achaemenid.
[1.2] Says Darius the king: My father (is) Hystaspes, the father of Hystaspes (is) Arsames, the father of Arsames (is) Ariaramnes, the father of Ariaramnes (is Teispes), the father of Teispes (is) Achaemenes.
[1.3] Says Darius the king: Therefore we are called the Achaemenids; from long ago we have extended; from long ago our family have been kings.
[1.4] Says Darius the king: 8 of my family (there were) who were formerly kings; I am the ninth (9); long aforetime we were (lit. are) kings.
[1.5] Says Darius the king: By the grace of Ahuramazda I am king; Ahuramazda gave me the kingdom.
[1.6] Says Darius the king: These are the countries which came to me; by the grace of Ahuramazda I became king of them; Persia, Susiana [Elam], Babylonia, Assyria, Arabia, Egypt, the (lands) which are on the sea, Sparda, Ionia, Media, Armenia, Cappadocia, Parthia, Drangiana, Aria, Chorasmia, Bactria, Sogdiana, Gandara, Scythia, Sattagydia, Arachosia, Maka; in all (there are) 23 countries.
[1.7] Says Darius the king: These (are) the countries which came to me; by the grace of Ahuramazda they became subject to me; they bore tribute to me; what was commanded to them by me this was done night and (lit. or) day.
[1.8] Says Darius the king: Within these countries what man was watchful, him who should be well esteemed I esteemed; who was an enemy, him who should be well punished I punished; by the grace of Ahuramazda these countries respected my laws; as it was commanded by me to them, so it was done.
[1.9] Says Darius the king: Ahuramazda gave me this kingdom; Ahuramazda bore me aid until I obtained this kingdom; by the grace of Ahuramazda I hold this kingdom.
[1.10] Says Darius the king: This (is) what (was) done by me after that I became king; Cambyses by name, the son of Cyrus (was) of our family; he was king here; of this Cambyses there was a brother Bardiya (i.e., Smerdis) by name possessing a common mother and the same father with Cambyses; afterwards Cambyses slew that Bardiya; when Cambyses slew Bardiya, it was not known to the people that Bardiya was slain; afterwards Cambyses went to Egypt; when Cambyses went to Egypt, after that the people became hostile; after that there was Deceit to a great extent in the provinces, both in Persia and in Media and in the other provinces.
[1.11] Says Darius the king: Afterwards there was one man, a Magian, Gaumata by name; he rose up from Paishiyauvada; there (is) a mountain Arakadrish by name; from there—14 days in the month Viyakhna were in course when he rose up; he thus deceived the people; I am Bardiya the son of Cyrus brother of Cambyses; afterwards all the people became estranged from Cambyses (and) went over to him, both Persia and Media and the other provinces; he seized the kingdom; 9 days in the month Garmapada were in course—he thus seized the kingdom; afterwards Cambyses died by a self-imposed death.
[1.12] Says Darius the king: This kingdom which Gaumata the Magian took from Cambyses, this kingdom from long ago was (the possession) of our family; afterwards Gaumata the Magian took from Cambyses both Persia and Media and the other provinces; he seized (the power) and made it his own possession; he became king.
[1.13] Says Darius the king: There was not a man neither a Persian nor a Median nor any one of our family who could make Gaumata the Magian deprived of the kingdom; the people feared his tyranny; (they feared) he would slay the many who knew Bardiya formerly; for this reason he would slay the people; “that they might not know me that I am not Bardiya the son of Cyrus;” any one did not dare to say anything against Gaumata the Magian until I came; afterwards I asked Ahuramazda for help; Ahuramazda bore me aid; 10 days in the month Bagayadish were in course I thus with few men slew that Gaumata the Magian and what men were his foremost allies; there (is) a stronghold Sikayauvatish by name; there is a province in Media, Nisaya by name; here I smote him; I took the kingdom from him; by the grace of Ahuramazda I became king; Ahuramazda gave me the kingdom.
[1.14] Says Darius the king: The kingdom which was taken away from our family, this I put in (its) place; I established it on (its) foundation; as (it was) formerly so I made it; the sanctuaries which Gaumata the Magian destroyed I restored; for the people the revenue(?) and the personal property and the estates and the royal residences which Gaumata the Magian took from them (I restored); I established the state on (its) foundation, both Persia and Media and the other provinces; as (it was) formerly, so I brought back what (had been) taken away; by the grace of Ahuramazda this I did; I labored that our royal house I might establish in (its) place; as (it was) formerly, so (I made it); I labored by the grace of Ahuramazda that Gaumata the Magian might not take away our royal house.
[1.15] Says Darius the king: This (is) what I did, after that I became king.
[1.16] Says Darius the king: When I slew Gaumata the Magian, afterwards there (was) one man Atrina [Achina] by name, the son of Upadara(n)ma; he rose up in Susiana [Elam]; thus he said to the people; I am king in Susiana; afterwards the people of Susiana became rebellious (and) went over to that Atrina; he became king in Susiana; and there (was) one man a Babylonian Nidintu-Bel by name, the son of Aniri’, he rose up in Babylon; thus he deceived the people; I am Nebuchadrezzar the son of Nabu-na’id [Nabonidus]; afterwards the whole of the Babylonian state went over to that Nidintu-Bel; Babylon became rebellious; the kingdom in Babylon he seized.
[1.17] Says Darius the king: Afterwards I sent forth (my army) to Susiana; this Atrina was led to me bound; I slew him.
[1.18] Says Darius the king: Afterwards I went to Babylon against that Nidintu-Bel who called himself Nebuchadrezzar; the army of Nidintu-Bel held the Tigris; there he halted and thereby was a flotilla; afterwards I placed my army on floats of skins; one part I set on camels, for the other I brought horses; Ahuramazda bore me aid; by the grace of Ahuramazda we crossed the Tigris; there the army of Nidintu-Bel I smote utterly; 26 days in the month Atriyadiya were in course—we thus engaged in battle.
[1.19] Says Darius the king: Afterwards I went to Babylon; when I had not reached Babylon—there (is) a town Zazana by name along the Euphrates—there this Nidintu-Bel who called himself Nebuchadrezzar went with his army against me to engage in battle; afterwards we engaged in battle; Ahuramazda bore me aid; by the grace of Ahuramazda the army of Nidintu-Bel I smote utterly; the enemy were driven into the water; the water bore them away; 2 days in the month Anamaka were in course—we thus engaged in battle.
[2.1] Says Darius the king: Afterwards Nidintu-Bel with (his) few horsemen went to Babylon; afterwards I went to Babylon; by the grace of Ahuramazda I both seized Babylon and seized that Nidintu-Bel; afterwards I slew that Nidintu-Bel at Babylon.
[2.2] Says Darius the king: While I was in Babylon, these (are) the provinces which became estranged from me, Persia, Susiana, Media, Assyria, Egypt, Parthia, Margiana, Sattagydia, Scythia.
[2.3] Says Darius the king: There (was) one man Martiya by name, the son of Cicikhrish [Cincikhri]—there (is) a town in Persia Kuganaka by name—here he dwelt; he rose up in Susiana; thus he said to the people; I am Imanish king in Susiana.
[2.4] Says Darius the king: Then I was on the march to Susiana; afterwards the Susians [feared] me; they seized that Martiya who was chief of them and slew him.
[2.5] Says Darius the king: One man Phraortes, he rose up in Media; thus he said to the people; [I am Khshathrita] of the family of Cyaxares; afterwards the Median people which [were in the palace] became estranged from me (and) went over to that Phraortes; he became [king] in Media.
[2.6] Says Darius the king: The Persian and the Median army, which was by me, it was small; afterwards I sent forth an army; Hydarnes by name, a Persian, my subject, him I made chief of them; thus I said to them; go, smite that Median army which does not call itself mine; afterwards this Hydarnes with the army went away; when he came to Media—there (is) a town in Media Marush by name—here he engaged in battle with the Medes; he who was the chief among the Medes did not there [withstand]; Ahuramazda bore me aid; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army smote that rebellious army utte
rly; 27 days in the month Anamaka were in course—the battle (was) thus fought by them; afterwards my army—there (is) a region Ka(m)pada by name—there awaited me until I went to Media.
[2.7] Says Darius the king: Dadarshish [Dadarshi] by name, an Armenian, my subject, him I sent forth to Armenia; thus I said to him; go, the rebellious army which does not call itself mine, smite it; afterwards Dadarshish went away; when he came to Armenia, afterwards the rebels came together (and) went against Dadarshish to engage in battle; there is a village Zuzza by name in Armenia—here they engaged in battle; Ahuramazda bore me aid; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army smote that rebellious army utterly; 8 days in the month Thuravahara were in course—thus the battle (was) fought by them.
[2.8] Says Darius the king: A second time the rebels came together (and) went against Dadarshish to engage in battle; there (is) a stronghold, Tigra by name, in Armenia—here they engaged in battle; Ahuramazda bore me aid; by the grace of Ahuramazda, my army smote that rebellious army utterly; 18 days in the month Thuravahara were in course—the battle (was) thus fought by them.
[2.9] Says Darius the king: A third time the rebels came together (and) went against Dadarshish to engage in battle; there (is) a stronghold, U[yam]a by name, in Armenia—here they engaged in battle; Ahuramazda bore me aid; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army smote that rebellious army utterly; 9 days in the month Thaigarcish were in course—thus the battle (was) fought by them; afterwards Dadarshish awaited me in Armenia until I came to Media.
[2.10] Says Darius the king: Afterwards Vaumisa by name, a Persian, my subject, him I sent forth to Armenia; thus I said to him; go, the rebellious army which does not call itself mine, smite it; afterwards Vaumisa went away; when he came to Armenia, afterwards the rebels came together (and) went against Vaumisa to engage in battle; there (is) a region I[zar] by name, in Assyria—here they engaged in battle; Ahuramazda bore me aid; by the grace of Ahuramazda my army smote that rebellious army utterly; 15 days in the month Anamaka were in course—thus the battle (was) fought by them.
The Persian Empire Page 92