Bible map of exiled Jews returning to Israel

Persians let Jews go home

After about 50 years of living in exile and exile that started in 586 BC, the Jewish people finally got the news they had been waiting for—they could go home.

Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem and taken many Jews to live in their land as captives. But then, the mighty Persian Empire, led by King Cyrus, conquered Babylon. Unlike the Babylonians, who forced people to stay in foreign lands, Cyrus had a different policy. He allowed conquered people to return to their homelands and rebuild their cities.

Cyrus tells them to rebuild Temple

Around 538 BC, Cyrus made an official announcement that the Jewish people could go back to Jerusalem. He even encouraged them to rebuild their Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. To help, he gave back treasures that had been taken from the Temple years earlier. Some of the Jews packed up and left right away, excited to return to the land God had promised their ancestors. Others chose to stay in Persia, where they had built new lives.

Long trip home

The journey back wasn’t easy. The travelers had to cross long distances with their families and belongings. When they arrived, they found Jerusalem in ruins. But they didn’t give up. Led by people like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, they worked hard to rebuild their city, their temple, and their faith.

The return from exile was a turning point. The Jewish people had learned hard lessons, and now they were determined to follow God’s ways more closely. Their return was not just about going home—it was about restoring their identity as God’s chosen people.