Isaiah’s Prophecy and the Cyrus Cylinder

The cuneiform inscription on the ancient clay cylinder illustrated here corroborates another Bible account. Known as the Cyrus Cylinder [9], this document was recovered at the site of ancient Sippar on the Euphrates, about 20 miles [32 km] from Baghdad. It speaks of the conquest of Babylon at the hands of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire. Amazingly, some 200 years earlier, Jehovah, by means of his prophet Isaiah, said of a Medo-Persian ruler who would be named Cyrus: “‘He is my shepherd, and all that I delight in he will completely carry out’; even in my saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt.’”​—Isaiah 13:1, 17-19; 44:26–45:3.

Significantly, the cylinder mentions Cyrus’ policy​—in sharp contrast with that of other ancient conquerors—​of returning to their homeland captives held by the previous power. Biblical and secular history testify that Cyrus did release the Jews, who then rebuilt Jerusalem.​—2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 1:1-4.

[Picture Credit Line on page 18]

Photograph taken by courtesy of the British Museum