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Cyrus

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The Persian king who, per biblical accounts in Ezra and Isaiah, permitted the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.

Detailed Definition
Cyrus, called God’s “anointed” in Isaiah, issued a decree allowing Jews to return and rebuild the Temple, fulfilling prophecy. His role was pivotal in restoration. In poetry, Cyrus embodies the paradox of a pagan instrument of divine will, the unexpected agent of liberation, and the sovereignty that uses world empires to fulfill covenant promises—often symbolizing hope amid historical upheaval.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Cyrus’s decree (2 Chronicles 36, Ezra 1) prefigures divine sovereignty over empires; In William Blake’s prophetic books, Cyrus symbolizes the anointed liberator; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Drama of Exile," Cyrus represents God’s instrument among nations; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Cyrus’s edict illustrates providential timing; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Cyrus embodies the unexpected agent of restoration; In T.S. Eliot’s "Four Quartets," Cyrus’s role in rebuilding Jerusalem prefigures renewal.
Additional Notes
Cyrus: Persian king who freed Jews from Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1; Isaiah 44–45). Called “anointed” (messiah) by Isaiah—unique for a Gentile. In poetry, Cyrus embodies God’s sovereignty over empires, unexpected instruments of deliverance, and the fulfillment of prophecy. His decree offers hope in exile—ideal for poems on providence, political liberation, or the universality of divine purpose.
Also Known As
Cyrus the Great Cyrus king of Persia
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