It is important to discuss the life of the Jewish nation during the Persian period. (538-332 BCE). It is generally recognized that the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) was written during this period.
So all of these oral traditions were written down during a time of exile, prompted by the priestly class, who feared that the Jews would loose their identity in a different land. As it was some of the Babylonia stories became “Judiazed” and were included in the Pentateuch, such as Noah. However, most of the stories and the levitical laws were traditions passed on from parents to children since there was no temple to gather in while in a foreign land.
Here is where Cyrus the Great comes into play. Cyrus is considered to be one of the greatest leaders of nations in all of history. His military capability lead conquering most of the middle East including Babylon and the system of governmnet lasted for a 200 year reign. Actually the story of the “conquering” of Babylon is recorded on a clay cylinder excavated centuries later. Cyrus freed the Babylonians from their ruler, Nabonidus, who made them slaves to build his cities. The Babylonians cheered Cyrus entry into their country!
It was Cyrus who let the Jewish people return to their homeland and used the Babylonia treasury to help the Jews rebuild the second temple in Jerusalem. There they lived until Alexander the Great conquered Persia. More of this will come up when we read Isaiah.
