The Ancients29 Jun 2023

Persia and the Bible

As the Babylonian Empire fell into decline, and it's power faded, the Persian Empire stepped in to fill the void that was left - but how did this event directly effect the narrative of the Old Testament, and what other sources are available to learn more about this period? As Babylon's infrastructure deteriorated, with crumbling walls and blocked canals reflecting a spiritual decline, rival powers emerged both within and beyond Babylon. Viewed as the chosen one by the Babylonian gods, Cyrus the Great claimed to liberate the Babylonians, but why was this event so crucial in the creation of a Jewish identity - and beyond the bible, what sources do we have to consolidate this story?

In this episode, Tristan welcomes back Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, to examine this important moment in ancient, and biblical, history. Looking at how Persian influences can be observed in certain books of the Bible, with Persian words appearing alongside Hebrew descriptions, and how the narrative of Joseph and the technicolour coat draws parallels with Persian court stories - just how big an influence did Persia have on the Old Testament, and what legacies has it left into the modern day?

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