I am Doing a Great Work

Harry S. Truman as a Modern Cyrus

Michael T. Benson

BYU Studies 34, no. 1 (1994)

Cyrus the Great made possible the return of Jews to Jerusalem (as recorded in Ezra, Isaiah, Daniel, and 2 Chronicles). Harry S Truman became a modern-day Cyrus for his crucial role in the creation of the state of Israel. This article describes Truman’s role.

The Exiles Return (Ezra)

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, (1981) (2003)

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally part of a compilation that included 1 and 2 Chronicles. Ezra 1:1–3 and 2 Chronicles 36:22–23 are almost identical. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah are actually the last two historical books of the Old Testament. The book of Ezra recounts the joys and struggles of the rebuilding of the temple.

The Persian Empire, the Return of the Jews, and the Diaspora

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, (1981) (2003)

A review of the history of Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, the return of the Jews under Ezra and Nehemiah, and the reconstruction of the temple. “Despite Cyrus’s edict, most of the exiles chose to stay in Babylon because of favorable economic and agricultural conditions. Gradually, in the centuries from 400 B.C. to A.D. 200 and even later, the Jews dispersed themselves to all parts of the known world and set up enduring colonies.”

Nehemiah: Builder of Walls and Wills

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, (1981) (2003)

“‘The book of Nehemiah carries the history of the Jewish people down to a later date than any other of the avowedly historical works in the canon of the OT. Its interest is manifold, since it describes not only the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, but the reconstruction of the Jewish ecclesiastical organization; and as an authority for the events it relates, is first-rate, since it is largely based upon contemporary materials.’ J. R. Dummelow.”

Nehemiah: Builder of Walls and Wills

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, (1981) (2003)

“‘The book of Nehemiah carries the history of the Jewish people down to a later date than any other of the avowedly historical works in the canon of the OT. Its interest is manifold, since it describes not only the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, but the reconstruction of the Jewish ecclesiastical organization; and as an authority for the events it relates, is first-rate, since it is largely based upon contemporary materials.’ J. R. Dummelow.”

Biblical Hebrew Words You Already Know and Why They Are Important

Dana M. Pike

Religious Educator 7, no. 3 (2006)

“The being who appeared to Joshua shortly before the Israelite attack on Jericho said, 'As captain of the host [ṣĕbā’] of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship. . . . And the captain of the Lord’s host [ṣĕbā’] said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy' (Joshua 5:13–15). Such passages clearly demonstrate the use of the singular ṣĕbā’ and the plural ṣĕbā’ôt/Sabaoth to designate human and heavenly armies.”

Nehemiah: Builder of Walls and Wills

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, (1981) (2003)

“‘The book of Nehemiah carries the history of the Jewish people down to a later date than any other of the avowedly historical works in the canon of the OT. Its interest is manifold, since it describes not only the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, but the reconstruction of the Jewish ecclesiastical organization; and as an authority for the events it relates, is first-rate, since it is largely based upon contemporary materials.’ J. R. Dummelow.”