Ecbatana
LocationsGeographical Setting
Ecbatana, the ancient capital of Media, served as a royal residence for Persian kings and is identified with the modern city of Hamadan.
What is the meaning of Ecbatana in the Bible?
Ecbatana, identified with the ancient Median capital of Hagmatana, is mentioned in Ezra 6:2 as the location where the decree of Cyrus regarding the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple was found.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Ecbatana's role as a major administrative center in the Persian Empire clarifies the historical context of the biblical narrative, illustrating how imperial archives in distant capitals preserved the legal foundations for the restoration of Jewish worship in Jerusalem.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.