Lexical Definition
דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ Dârᵉyâvêsh (daw-reh-yaw-vaysh') Darius N:N-M-P
of Persian origin
Darius.
- § Darius = "lord"
- Darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several Persian kings
1) Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, king of the Chaldeans, who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom on the death of Belshazzar; probably the same as "Astyages" the last king of the Medes (538 BC)
2) Darius, the son of Hystaspes, the founder of the Perso-Arian dynasty (521 BC)
3) Darius II or Darius III
3a) Darius II, Nothus (Ochus) was king of Persia during the time of Nehemiah (424/3-405/4 BC). Darius II is the most probable because he is mentioned by Nehemiah and ruled during the time of Nehemiah
3b) Darius III, Codomannus was king of Persia during its last years at the time of Alexander the Great and was his opponent (336-330 BC)
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ | Darius | Neh.12.22 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.22
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Aramaic form: דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ
דָּֽרְיָ֫וֶשׁ proper name, masculine Darius (Old Persian Dârayaua'ush compare SpiegAPK 81) —
1. Darius Hystaspis, 522-485 Ezra 4:5; Hag 1:1; Hag 1:15; Hag 2:10; Zech 1:1; Zech 1:7; Zech 7:1.
2. Darius Codomannus, 336-332 Neh 12:22.
3. 'Darius the Mede,' Dan 9:1; Dan 11:1, compare BevDan. p. 19.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Ezra | 4:5 |
| Nehemiah | 12:22 |
| Daniel | 9:1 · 11:1 |
| Haggai | 1:1 · 1:15 · 2:10 |
| Zechariah | 1:1 · 1:7 · 7:1 |
Profile
Male • Persian king • Persian Emperor during the time of the Levites
Emperor living at the time of Exile and Return
Darius the Persian was the Emperor during the days of the Levites Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. (Neh.12.22)
- Emperor living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.12.22;
- only referred to as Darius דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ.
Darius, mentioned in Nehemiah 12:22, was a Persian king who reigned during the time of the Levites Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua. This passage is part of a list of priests and Levites who served in the Temple after the Babylonian exile.
The mention of Darius in this context serves as a historical marker, indicating that these Levites served during his reign. This Darius is likely Darius II Nothus, who ruled the Persian Empire from 423 to 404 BC.
The inclusion of Darius' name in this list demonstrates the continuity of the priestly and Levitical service in the Temple, even under Persian rule. It also shows that the Jewish community in Jerusalem maintained their religious practices and recorded their history during this period.
All entries for Darius: דָּֽרְיָוֵשׁ