The BibleGospel Companion

Darius

דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ · dar.ya.vesh · H1867H“he that informs himself” Hitchcock's 186916 mentions in 3 books, most in Ezra (10)

Who he was

Darius, mentioned in the books of Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, was a king of Persia who played a significant role in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He is often referred to as Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, who ruled the Persian Empire from 522 to 486 BC.

During the early years of Darius' reign, the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem had been halted due to opposition from the neighboring peoples (Ezra 4:5). However, in the second year of Darius' reign, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophesy to the Jews, encouraging them to resume the Temple construction (Hag.1.1, 15; Zec.1.1, 7).

When the Persian officials questioned the Jews' authority to rebuild the Temple, they appealed to the decree issued by Cyrus years earlier (Ezra 5:5–7). Darius then ordered a search of the archives, and Cyrus' decree was found (Ezra 6:1). Darius issued a new decree, confirming Cyrus' original order and providing support for the Temple's reconstruction (Ezra 6:12–14).

With Darius' backing, the Jews completed the Temple reconstruction in the sixth year of his reign (Ezra 6:15). This event was a significant milestone in the restoration of Jewish worship in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

The mention of Darius in these biblical books demonstrates the Persian Empire's role in the history of Israel and the fulfillment of God's plan for His people.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

ChildrenAhasuerus
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

16 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
EzraChapter 4: 2 mentionsChapter 5: 3 mentionsChapter 6: 5 mentions10 mentions
Ezra 4:5They hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.Ezra 4:24Then work stopped on God’s house which is at Jerusalem. It stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.Ezra 5:5But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, and they didn’t make them cease until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it.Ezra 5:6The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.Ezra 5:7They sent a letter to him, in which was written: To Darius the king, all peace.Ezra 6:1Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was searched.Ezra 6:12May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who stretch out their hand to alter this, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius…Ezra 6:13Then Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, Shetharbozenai, and their companions did accordingly with all diligence, because Darius the king had sent a decree.Ezra 6:14The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God…Ezra 6:15This house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
HaggaiChapter 1: 2 mentionsChapter 2: 1 mention3 mentions
Haggai 1:1In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, Yahweh’s word came by Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah…Haggai 1:15in the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.Haggai 2:10In the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
ZechariahChapter 1: 2 mentionsChapter 7: 1 mention3 mentions
Zechariah 1:1In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came to the prophet Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying,Zechariah 1:7On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, Yahweh’s word came to the prophet Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo…Zechariah 7:1In the fourth year of King Darius, Yahweh’s word came to Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.

What the dictionary says

The holder or supporter, the name of several Persian kings. (1.) Darius the Mede (Dan. 11:1), “the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes” (9:1).

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources