Today we will talk about bible verses about persia. Many Christians may not realize how often Persia appears in Scripture and how those mentions shape God’s story for His people. As we read, let us settle our hearts and minds, ready to learn and to be encouraged. Persia shows up in prophecy, in the rise of kings, in the return of God’s people to Jerusalem, and even in quiet acts of providence that saved lives. We will look at passages from Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Chronicles. Each passage helps us see how God is at work behind the scenes, using nations and rulers toward His purposes. As we meditate on these bible verses about persia, we will remember that God can use any leader or empire to fulfill His plans. Let us read slowly, reflect honestly, and pray quietly. May these verses help us grow in trust, faith, and hope, knowing that God’s hand moves in history and in our lives too.
bible verses about persia
Most Relevant Verse
We begin with a verse that names Persia directly and appears in a clear vision. This verse helps us connect the word Persia to God’s prophetic message. As we study bible verses about persia, we hold this verse as a key that opens understanding. Let us be humble students together and ask God for wisdom as we read.
Daniel 8:20
“The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. – Daniel 8:20
Persia Identified in Prophecy — bible verses about persia
As we look at bible verses about persia in prophecy, we notice that God often reveals future movements of nations to His prophets. We see Persia named or described in visions and dreams, and these prophecies help us understand the sweep of history from God’s point of view. Together we learn that Persia was more than a political power; it was part of God’s timeline. When we read these prophetic lines we feel small, yet we also feel comforted: God knows the rise and fall of empires. We are reminded that the Lord’s plans are steady even when human plans change. As we study these bible verses about persia, we look for the message God wants to teach us — about patience, faith, and the certainty of His word. We keep our hearts open to how these ancient prophecies speak to our lives now, helping us trust God’s control over history and over our own stories.
Daniel 8:20
“The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. – Daniel 8:20
Daniel 11:2
“And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all; and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. – Daniel 11:2
Daniel 10:1
“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long. – Daniel 10:1
Daniel 7:5
“And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. – Daniel 7:5
Daniel 2:39
“And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. – Daniel 2:39
Cyrus: God’s Instrument — bible verses about persia
When we read bible verses about persia that speak of Cyrus, we see God moving hearts even in foreign kings. We are reminded that God can call a leader who does not know Him by name and still use that leader for His purposes. In these verses God lifts up Cyrus to free His people and to restore worship in Jerusalem. As we read together, we feel encouraged: God’s plans can include people and governments we wouldn’t expect. We recognize that God’s ways are not limited to one nation. These bible verses about persia show us that God can speak through history and through rulers to accomplish His will. We learn to watch for God’s hand in surprising places and to trust His timing and methods, even when they don’t match our plans.
Isaiah 45:1
“Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; – Isaiah 45:1
Isaiah 44:28
“That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. – Isaiah 44:28
Isaiah 45:13
“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts. – Isaiah 45:13
2 Chronicles 36:22
“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, – 2 Chronicles 36:22
2 Chronicles 36:23
“Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. – 2 Chronicles 36:23
Return and Rebuilding: Persia’s Role — bible verses about persia
As we study bible verses about persia that speak of return and rebuilding, we see how God used Persian kings to help His people come home. This shows us that even when exile feels final, God can open a door for restoration. The decrees of Persia allowed families to go back, rebuild the temple, and reestablish worship. When we think of our own broken places, these verses encourage us — God can start new chapters. We read about practical help: resources, permission, and protection. These bible verses about persia remind us that God is both spiritual and practical; He cares about hearts and about the structures that help His people worship. Let us take hope: restoration is possible when God moves in history, and He can move in our lives too.
Ezra 1:1
“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, – Ezra 1:1
Ezra 1:2
“Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. – Ezra 1:2
Ezra 1:3
“Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. – Ezra 1:3
Ezra 3:7
“And they gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, unto Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. – Ezra 3:7
Ezra 6:15
“And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. – Ezra 6:15
Esther and Everyday Faith in Persia — bible verses about persia
When we read bible verses about persia in the book of Esther, we discover God’s providence working through people who lived ordinary lives under a great empire. Esther and Mordecai faced danger, yet their faith and courage made a way for God’s people. We see how one person’s willingness to risk comfort can bring life to a nation. As we read, we remind each other to be bold in prayer and action. These bible verses about persia in Esther teach us that God uses small acts—speaking truth, taking a stand, trusting Him—to change big things. We leave these chapters with courage to serve, to speak up, and to trust God with outcomes we cannot control.
Esther 1:1
“Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) – Esther 1:1
Esther 2:5
“Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, – Esther 2:5
Esther 3:1
“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. – Esther 3:1
Esther 4:14
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? – Esther 4:14
Esther 9:1
“Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) – Esther 9:1
Persian Kings and Administration — bible verses about persia
As we read bible verses about persia that describe kings and officials, we see the daily workings of empire: decrees, governors, and royal letters. These verses help us understand how God’s purposes were carried out through systems of power. We are reminded that God is able to direct hearts in politics and administration. When we study these passages we learn to pray for leaders, to watch for justice, and to appreciate how law can protect God’s people when rightly used. These bible verses about persia teach us to see governance as part of God’s stage on which His story is told.
Ezra 7:6
“This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his requests, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. – Ezra 7:6
Ezra 7:11
“Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a letter of libery. – Ezra 7:11
Ezra 7:12
“Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. – Ezra 7:12
Nehemiah 2:1
“And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. – Nehemiah 2:1
Nehemiah 2:5
“Then said I unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. – Nehemiah 2:5
Medes and Persians in Conquest — bible verses about persia
As we read bible verses about persia that describe conquest, we remember that God is sovereign even over battles and nations. The fall of Babylon and the transfer of power to the Medes and Persians is recorded as a part of God’s plan. We are encouraged that even a great empire can be moved by God’s hand. These passages remind us that God judges nations and that history bends toward His purpose. When we study these verses about Persia we feel the weight of God’s justice and the breadth of His rule. We learn to trust that God’s moral order matters in world events.
Daniel 5:28
“Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. – Daniel 5:28
Daniel 5:30
“In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. – Daniel 5:30
Daniel 5:31
“In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. – Daniel 5:31
Jeremiah 51:11
“Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple. – Jeremiah 51:11
Daniel 6:28
“So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. – Daniel 6:28
Living as Jews under Persian Rule — bible verses about persia
When we read bible verses about persia that show daily life for God’s people, we see faith lived out under foreign rule. The Scriptures tell of people worshipping, rebuilding, and celebrating while under Persian authority. These verses give us practical examples of steady faith and careful obedience. We learn how to maintain identity and worship when we are a minority. As we read these bible verses about persia, we are encouraged to keep community, teach truth to children, and hold fast to God’s practices even when life is hard. Together we find examples of patience, work, and faithful living.
Ezra 6:19
“And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. – Ezra 6:19
Ezra 4:7
“And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions; unto Artaxerxes the king of Persia; they wrote a letter against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. – Ezra 4:7
Ezra 4:23
“Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharbozenai, and their companions, wrote a letter against Jerusalem unto Artaxerxes the king in this sort. – Ezra 4:23
Ezra 5:13
“Then asked the Jews, and said unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls? – Ezra 5:13
Ezra 5:17
“Then the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and the building of the house of the LORD prospered. – Ezra 5:17
Persian Rulers and Jewish Leadership — bible verses about persia
As we study bible verses about persia that describe interaction between Persian rulers and Jewish leaders, we notice how petitions, letters, and royal favor shaped the community’s future. Leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah brought requests and were given authority to act. These verses teach us about prayerfulness, humility, and wise diplomacy. We learn that God honors good leadership and sometimes provides doors through powerful friends. In reading these bible verses about persia we gain courage to step forward, to ask respectfully, and to trust God with outcomes when we seek to serve Him publicly.
Nehemiah 2:8
“And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me, all that I required, unto the beauty of the wall. – Nehemiah 2:8
Nehemiah 5:14
“Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the thirty and second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years was I in the land, and was in Jerusalem. – Nehemiah 5:14
Nehemiah 13:6
“And I was in Babylon, until the twentieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon: and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that this people do in supporting the strangers. – Nehemiah 13:6
Ezra 7:1
“Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, – Ezra 7:1
Esther 8:17
“And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. – Esther 8:17
Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons from Medo-Persia — bible verses about persia
When we read bible verses about persia in symbolic or prophetic language, we find spiritual lessons about strength, weakness, and God’s rule. The ram and the bear are images that teach us about combined powers and uneven strength. These symbols help us see the spiritual dynamics behind worldly events. As we read these verses about Persia together, we draw practical lessons: don’t be fooled by power, trust God’s larger plan, and remember that God can use even rough or flawed tools to do His work. These biblical images shape how we pray about nations and how we trust God’s justice.
Zechariah 1:1
“In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah the son of Iddo. – Zechariah 1:1
Haggai 1:1
“In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest. – Haggai 1:1
Daniel 11:1
“Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him. – Daniel 11:1
Daniel 6:1
“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; – Daniel 6:1
Daniel 6:22
“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. – Daniel 6:22
Providence, Deliverance, and Persia’s Legacy — bible verses about persia
Finally, as we read these bible verses about persia tied to deliverance and legacy, we see how God used Persia to preserve His people and to shape history. The story includes deliverance from enemies, legal decrees that saved lives, and leaders remembered for their favor. These accounts teach us that God cares for both the big and small details of our lives. When we look back, we see God’s fingerprints in surprising places. These verses encourage us to look for God’s kindness in every age, and to trust that He can turn hard times into moments of mercy and growth.
Esther 9:22
“That the Jews should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly. – Esther 9:22
Esther 10:3
“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed. – Esther 10:3
Daniel 6:25
“Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. – Daniel 6:25
Ezra 4:6
“And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. – Ezra 4:6
Daniel 9:1
“In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; – Daniel 9:1
Final Thoughts
I have walked with you through many bible verses about persia and we have seen how Persia appears in prophecy, in history, and in God’s plan for His people. We looked at kings, decrees, visions, and everyday faith under foreign rule. As I read these passages, I am reminded that God uses all kinds of people and nations to carry out His purposes.
We can take comfort that God oversees history. When we face uncertain times, these bible verses about persia encourage us to trust God’s sovereignty, to act faithfully, and to pray for leaders. We also see a call to be brave and faithful like Esther, Ezra, and Nehemiah, who served God in difficult seasons.
Let us pray for wisdom to see God’s hand in our own story, and let us be ready to play our part, small or large, in His unfolding plan. We go forward encouraged that the same God who guided events in Persia walks with us today.
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
