📖 Biblical Definition
Cyrus was the founder of the Persian Empire — reigning 559-530 BC, conquering Babylon in 539 BC, and issuing in his first regnal year the decree returning exiled Jews to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23). The most extraordinary thing about Cyrus is that Isaiah named him by name, calling him "my shepherd" and "his anointed" (messiah), some 150 years before his birth — when no kingdom of Persia yet existed (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-4). The naming is one of Scripture’s most striking specific prophecies, and Cyrus’s decree fulfilled it. The LORD raises and lowers pagan kings to serve covenant purposes. The boundaries of empires are set by the God of Israel.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Cyrus — the Persian king who freed the Jews from Babylonian exile.
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Cyrus the Great unified Medes and Persians, took Babylon without battle, and reversed the deportation policies of his predecessors. His decree (538 BC) authorized the return and rebuilding of the temple, with imperial funds. Isaiah's naming of him by name centuries in advance is one of Scripture's most striking prophecies.
📖 Key Scripture
Isaiah 45:1 — "Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus."
Isaiah 44:28 — "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure."
Ezra 1:1 — "The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia."
Ezra 1:2 — "The LORD God of heaven... hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Either dismissed as secular politics or co-opted into modern political prophecy.
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Cyrus is the proof that God can name a pagan emperor centuries before his birth and use him as 'my anointed' without saving him. The point is sovereignty, not endorsement.
Modern attempts to baptize current leaders as 'Cyrus figures' usually flatten the text. The biblical Cyrus was a tool, not a saint — and Scripture is not coy about that distinction.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Old Persian Kurush — meaning debated; possibly 'sun' or 'humiliator of the enemy.'
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Usage
"God named Cyrus 150 years before he drew breath; sovereignty writes the news in advance."
"'My anointed' is not a confession of faith; it is an assignment of office."
"The decree that rebuilt the temple was funded by a pagan's treasury under God's hand."