Abstract
The question in Daniel 9:25 of who issued the “commandment,” “word,” “decree,” or “command to restore and build Jerusalem,” (NKJV)1 , has occupied Bible scholars for centuries. Three major interpretations have emerged about the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. The first view states that the decree was issued by the Persian King Cyrus the Great (reigned 559-530 BC). The second view was that King Darius I (reigned 522-486 BC) issued the decree. The third view associates the decree with King Artaxerxes I Longimanus (reigned 465-425 BC). Today most scholars hold to the first or second view, the traditional Adventist view supports the third option. This paper will look at the fundamental differences of each of these three views that have prevented them to come to an agreement on the decrees to rebuild Jerusalem and how the views of the decrees of Cyrus and Darius I can be adapted to the Adventist position. The thesis of the paper is that there is historical and biblical evidence that the decrees of Cyrus, Darius I and Artaxerxes I all contributed to the restoration and building of Jerusalem, but that the decree of Artaxerxes I is the one that qualifies as the decree of Daniel 9:25.
Recommended Citation
Damsteegt, P. Gerard
(2020)
"The Contributions of Cyrus, Darius I, and Artaxerxes I to the Decree to Restore and Build Jerusalem,"
Journal of the Adventist Theological Society: Vol. 31:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/jats/vol31/iss1/5