SOME JEWISH EXILES REMAIN IN PERSIA

ESTHER, DANIEL

The exiles from Judah had spent seventy years as captives of the Babylonians. After Babylon’s defeat, the victorious Persian King Cyrus set those captives free (2 Chron. 36:23). Many, though not all (Ezra 2; Nehemiah 7), took advantage of this right of return. Others remained in Persia for a reason.

The routine of daily living was very different for Jews in Persia when compared to the Persian district of Yehud.17 The glorious days of a wealthy Judah, with its sophisticated architecture and art, had been replaced by a more austere lifestyle.18 In contrast, the Persian monarchs had built magnificent cities in their land, such as Ecbatana, Persepolis, and Susa. Each was filled with its own beautiful art and stunning architecture.19 Reaching its zenith during the days of Darius I, the culture of Persia was known as the most advanced of its time. Among other strengths, Persian citizens could justifiably be proud of their enhanced legal system, the freshly minted coins in circulation, and the postal system that used couriers on horseback traversing the length of the Royal Road from Susa (in modern Iran) to Sardis (in modern western Turkey).20

The fact that they had already adjusted to living in a healthy economy may have played a role in the decision of some Judean captives to remain in Persia. The cultural expansion described above was powered by increasing wealth within the nation. The architecture from this period in Persepolis still looks opulent by today’s standards as does the royal feast with all its embellishments described in the first chapter of Esther. While not everyone benefited from the wealth of this expanding empire in the same way, the Jewish historian Josephus notes that many Jews elected not to return to their homeland. Those who remained in the foreign lands had been accumulating wealth,21 evident in the gifts sent back to Jerusalem by those who did not return (Ezra 1:6). Thus, many Jews, though free to leave Persia, decided to stay.

Achaemenid palace at Persepolis, used during the periods of Darius I (522–486 BC), Xerxes (486–465 BC), Artaxerxes I (465–424), and Artaxerxes III (359–338).
© Courtesy of the British Museum

Yet wealth was not the only thing that motivated Jews to remain abroad. Some who remained in Persia, such as Daniel and Esther, became powerful witnesses of the one true God. The Lord placed Daniel (ca. 605–536 BC) in the highest governmental positions in Babylon and later in Persia. He stayed true to the Lord even when facing the depths of the lion’s den (Daniel 6), thus providing a witness to those governments and their captives alike. Esther, in the events described in the book bearing her name (ca. 484–474 BC), shaped public policy in ways that provided security and success for Jews throughout Persia. As this young Jewish woman found herself rising to the status of the favored queen of Xerxes, she kept her national heritage secret until the day she could keep the secret no longer. Haman, an enemy of her people, manipulated Esther’s husband into issuing a decree that would annihilate Jews across his grand empire (Esther 3:8–14). At the right moment Esther’s elder cousin, Mordecai, came to her with the encouragement to reveal her national identity. He prodded her to action with the telling question, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). And there it was. Esther had not returned to the Promised Land, yet she had great influence where she was, reversing the plot against her people and providing them with a more secure standing than they had before (Esther 9–14).

Inscription of Xerxes I (486–465 BC), son of Darius I, describing his building projects.
© Dr. James C. Martin. Mus’ee du Louvre; Autorisation de photographer et de filmer—LOUVRE.

There was great excitement in hearing of the edict of Cyrus that allowed exiled Israelites to return to the Promised Land. Some, however, like Daniel and Esther, chose to remain in Persia for a reason. Their presence not only offered encouragement to Jews living in the Persian Diaspora but in some cases was responsible for the sparing of thousands of lives.

Central and western Persia, ca. 500 BC

Frieze with relief of Persepolis guards.
© Dr. James C. Martin. Mus’ee du Louvre; Autorisation de photographer et de filmer—LOUVRE.