Darius

Darius is the name of three rulers in Scripture. (1.) Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:31; 6:1), son of Ahasuerus, who received the kingdom of Babylon after the fall of Belshazzar and under whose reign Daniel was cast into the lions' den. His identification with known historical figures — whether Cyaxares II, Ugbaru/Gubaru, or Cyrus himself — remains debated. (2.) Darius I of Persia (Hystaspes), who reigned 522–486 B.C. and confirmed the decree of Cyrus permitting the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple (Ezra 4:24; 6:1–12), the work resuming in his second year through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1–2; Haggai 1:1). The temple was completed in his sixth year (Ezra 6:15). (3.) Darius the Persian mentioned in Nehemiah 12:22, likely Darius II (423–404 B.C.) or Darius III (336–330 B.C.), during whose reign certain Levitical records were kept.