or (Ezra 1:1 (last time),2) כֹּרֶשׁ; from the Persians; Koresh (or Cyrus), the Persian king; Cyrus.
Transliteration:Kôwresh
Pronunciation:ko'-resh
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H3566}}` (Kôwresh) is a proper noun, serving exclusively as the name of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Its etymology is noted as being "from the Persians," indicating it is a transliteration of the Old Persian "Kūruš." As a proper noun, its semantic range is singular and specific, referring solely to this historical monarch. It carries no broader conceptual meaning beyond its designation of this individual.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Cyrus is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, appearing in the books of Isaiah, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, and Daniel.
* In **Isaiah**, he is remarkably named by prophecy centuries before his birth. [[Isaiah 44:28]] declares him God's "shepherd" who will fulfill God's purpose, saying of Jerusalem, "It shall be built," and of the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid." Even more strikingly, [[Isaiah 45:1]] refers to him as God's "anointed" (Hebrew: *māšîaḥ*, `{{H4899}}`), chosen to subdue nations and open doors for Israel's restoration, despite Cyrus's presumed ignorance of Yahweh ([[Isaiah 45:4-5]]). These passages underscore divine foreknowledge and sovereignty over world leaders.
* **2 Chronicles** concludes the historical narrative of the exile by recording the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy through Cyrus's decree. [[2 Chronicles 36:22-23]] states that "the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia," prompting him to issue an edict throughout his kingdom, permitting the Jews to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This marks the end of the 70-year Babylonian exile.
* The book of **Ezra** opens with the full text and implementation of Cyrus's decree ([[Ezra 1:1-4]]), becoming the foundational event for the post-exilic community. Cyrus's name is mentioned repeatedly in connection with the return of the exiles, the restoration of the Temple vessels, and the initial stages of the Temple's rebuilding ([[Ezra 1:7-8]], [[Ezra 3:7]], [[Ezra 4:3]], [[Ezra 4:5]], [[Ezra 5:13-17]], [[Ezra 6:3]]). His decree is presented as divinely inspired, facilitating the re-establishment of Jewish life in the land.
* In **Daniel**, Cyrus appears as the reigning king at the end of Daniel's life and visions. [[Daniel 1:21]] notes that Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. [[Daniel 6:28]] states that Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and Cyrus. [[Daniel 10:1]] places a vision in the third year of Cyrus's reign. These references confirm his historical position as the monarch who succeeded the Babylonian empire and under whom Daniel continued to serve.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Prophecy and Fulfillment:** The appearance of `{{H3566}}` in Isaiah's prophecy, centuries before his birth, and its subsequent fulfillment in 2 Chronicles and Ezra, profoundly illustrates the biblical theme of divine foreknowledge and the reliability of God's word.
* **Messiah/Anointed One (`{{H4899}}`):** The designation of Cyrus as God's "anointed" in [[Isaiah 45:1]] is highly significant. While not the ultimate Davidic Messiah, Cyrus serves as a type of messianic figure, chosen and empowered by God for a specific redemptive task, demonstrating God's ability to use even non-Israelites for His purposes.
* **Exile and Restoration:** Cyrus's decree is the pivotal event that marks the end of the Babylonian exile and initiates the restoration of the Jewish people to their land, a central theme in post-exilic biblical literature.
* **Persia (`{{H6539}}`):** Cyrus is inextricably linked to the rise of the Persian Empire, which succeeded Babylon and played a crucial role in biblical history for centuries.
* **Decree/Edict:** The "decree of Cyrus" is a significant legal and theological concept, highlighting how God uses political and administrative means to achieve His divine will.
### Theological Significance
The figure of Cyrus, `{{H3566}}`, holds immense theological significance, primarily serving as a powerful demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, rulers, and historical events.
1. **Divine Sovereignty:** Cyrus, a pagan king, is explicitly identified as an instrument of Yahweh, fulfilling His purposes even without explicit knowledge of God. This underscores that God's plan is not contingent on human belief or cooperation but is executed through His omnipotent will.
2. **Reliability of Prophecy:** The specific naming of Cyrus in Isaiah centuries before his existence, followed by the precise fulfillment of his role in ending the exile and commanding the Temple's rebuilding, provides irrefutable evidence of divine foreknowledge and the infallible nature of God's prophetic word.
3. **God's Use of Unlikely Agents:** God's choice to use a foreign, non-covenantal king as His "shepherd" and "anointed" for Israel's restoration challenges anthropocentric views of divine action. It reveals that God's redemptive plan extends beyond the boundaries of His chosen people, encompassing all of history and all humanity.
4. **Continuity of Redemptive History:** Cyrus's decree is a critical juncture in the unfolding of God's redemptive history, enabling the return of the remnant, the rebuilding of the Temple, and the preservation of the lineage through which the ultimate Messiah would come. He is a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even through periods of judgment and exile.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H3566}}` (Kôwresh) refers to Cyrus the Great, the Persian king whose reign marked a pivotal turning point in biblical history. Prophesied by name in Isaiah centuries before his birth, Cyrus is portrayed as God's chosen instrument, even designated as His "anointed," to end the Babylonian exile and facilitate the return of the Jewish people to Judah and the rebuilding of the Temple. His decree, foundational to the book of Ezra, demonstrates God's sovereign control over world leaders and historical events, using a pagan monarch to fulfill His covenant promises. Theologically, Cyrus exemplifies God's absolute power, the unerring reliability of His prophetic word, and His capacity to orchestrate His redemptive plan through any means He chooses, affirming His unwavering faithfulness to His people.
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