http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great

Cyrus II allowing Hebrew pilgrims to return to and rebuild Jerusalem

“On October 4^th, 539 BC, the Persian Army entered the city of Babylon.... this was a bloodless campaign and no prisoner were taken...”

“....On this historical turning point, by order of Cyrus, all the captive nationalities held as slaves for generations in Babylon were freed and the return to their homeland was financed. Among the liberated captives were 50,000 Jews held in Babylon for three generations whose return toward the rebuilding of their temple in Palestine, a policy that was followed by Darius and his successors.

Some of the liberated Jews were invited to and did settle in Persia. Because of such a generous act, Cyrus has been anointed in the Bible. He is the only gentile in the Bible, who has been titled “Messiah”, and is mentioned explicitly as the Lord’s shepherd and his anointed (Messiah). Other references to Cyrus are attested in Isaiah 45:4 where Cyrus is called by name and given a title of honour; he is also called to rebuild the God’s city and free His people (Is. 45:13)..... (Is. 48:14 – 15)....”

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“References: Grayson, Assyrian and Babylonian chronicles, p110, dates the fall of Babylon on Oct. 12^th and Cyrus’s entry on October 29^th ... ”

Bible, 2 Chronicles 36: 15 – 23

Bible, Ezra 1: 1-11, Ezra 2: 12-70, Ezra 7: 8, Ezra 6:3,4,5 , Ezra 7: 15-25

Bible, Isaiah 44:28 and 45:1