כּוֹרֶשׁ
Definition
כּוֹרֶשׁ (Kôwresh) is the Aramaic form of the name Cyrus, referring exclusively to Cyrus the Great, the Persian emperor who conquered Babylon. In the Bible, he is depicted as the ruler who issued the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 6:3). This name appears only in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, specifically in the books of Ezra and Daniel. In these contexts, Cyrus is consistently portrayed as an instrument of God's sovereignty, fulfilling prophecy by authorizing the restoration of Judah.
Biblical Usage
This word is used six times, all in Aramaic passages. It appears in official documents and narratives within Ezra 5:13-14, 5:17, 6:3, 6:14 and Daniel 6:28. The usage is uniformly as a proper noun, identifying the Persian king Cyrus. In Ezra, the references are in the context of his decrees and the authority he granted for the Temple's reconstruction. In Daniel 6:28, it notes that Daniel prospered during the reign of Cyrus, linking the Persian king to the narrative of Jewish endurance in exile.
Etymology
The word is the Aramaic form corresponding to the Hebrew כּוֹרֶשׁ (Kôresh, H3566). Its ultimate origin is Persian, likely from the Old Persian 'Kūruš'. The meaning of the original Persian name is uncertain but may relate to 'the sun' or 'throne'. In the biblical text, the Aramaic form is used because these passages were written in that language, reflecting the imperial administrative context of the Persian Empire.
Semantic Range
Cyrus holds profound theological significance as a Gentile ruler anointed and used by Yahweh (Isaiah 45:1). His decree fulfills Jeremiah's prophecy of a 70-year exile (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10), demonstrating God's sovereign control over world empires to accomplish His redemptive purposes for Israel. Understanding this name enriches Bible reading by highlighting how God works through unexpected, non-Israelite agents to restore His people and His worship.
In its original setting, the name 'Cyrus' identified the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, known for a policy of religious tolerance and restoration of displaced peoples. The biblical portrayal aligns with this historical reputation, as seen in the Cyrus Cylinder, which records his policy of returning captives and their gods. The use of the Aramaic form reflects the lingua franca of the Persian administration, showing the Jewish community's interaction with imperial power.
There are no direct Hebrew synonyms for this proper name. Theologically, the concept of a 'anointed' deliverer connects to מָשִׁיחַ (māšîaḥ, H4899) — though Cyrus is a non-Israelite 'anointed one' (Isaiah 45:1), distinct from the Davidic Messiah.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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