Medes
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Medes in the Bible?
The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who inhabited the region of modern-day northwestern Iran and parts of Azerbaijan. They formed a powerful kingdom that played a crucial role in the fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and were subsequently absorbed into the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the Medes clarifies the geopolitical context of the Old Testament, particularly regarding the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire which conquered Babylon and facilitated the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Medes reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Medes in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Medes clarify?
Related Topics
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.
How to Cite This Entry
"Medes." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/medes/