Darius I
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Role: Persian king who confirmed Cyrus’s decree and supported the second temple rebuilding
- Family: Achaemenid ruler; father of Ahasuerus
- Key Books: Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah
Biography
Darius I ruled Persia after Cyrus and is central to the completion of the second temple. When Tattenai investigated the rebuilding, Darius ordered the archives searched, found Cyrus’s decree, and commanded local officials to support the work.
Key Events
Relationships
- Cyrus - Earlier Persian king whose decree he confirmed
- Tattenai - Governor who sent the inquiry
- Zerubbabel - Judean governor during the rebuilding
Important Verses
- Ezra 6:1-12
- Haggai 1:1
- Zechariah 1:1
Cross-References
Notes
Darius’s decree turns official scrutiny into royal provision, helping the temple reach completion in 516 BC.