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Royal Proclamation of Freedom in Ancient Near East

Explore the historical significance of royal figures and messengers proclaiming freedom in Israel and the ancient Near East, drawing from biblical verses and first-century texts. Learn how these declarations of liberation were communicated through voices and letters. Discover the correlation between ancient proclamations of freedom by kings like Cyrus and biblical narratives. Delve into the role of messengers as conveyors of important news and catalysts for social justice. Uncover the parallels between ancient Near Eastern practices and biblical accounts of liberation. Engage with the concept of liberation in different historical contexts.

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Royal Proclamation of Freedom in Ancient Near East

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  1. “The Proclamation of Freedom By the Royal Figure” Addendum Teaching to the Introduction on Social Justice In Israel and the Ancient Near East

  2. Quote from Moshe Weinfeld Pages 12 and 13… “The proclamation of freedom—in Scriptural language, the calling (קרא )of freedom דרור was done by means of a proclamation of a royal figure. The messenger who proclaims freedom (Isa. 61:1; cf. 52:7) is one appointed by God upon whom the Holy Spirit rests (Isa. 61:1), like the anointed king upon whom God’s spirit rests (see, e.g. Isa. 11:2); or he is a servant upon whom God, his king, places His p 13 spirit to establish justice in the land (a phrase which overlaps the Akkadianmīšaraminamātimšakānum) and free those who are imprisoned (Isa. 42:1–7).”

  3. Verses of Royal Figures or Messengers “Proclaiming Freedom” TANAK • Isaiah 61:1-3 • Isaiah 11:1-5 • Isaiah 42:1 • Jeremiah 34:1-22 • Psalm 96 • Isaiah 62:1-12 • Malachi 3:1-6 First Century Writings • Luke 4:15-21 • Matthew 4:17 • Luke 9:1-2 • Acts 10:37-43 • Mark 1: 1-7 • John 1

  4. By what means did the Royal Decree of Liberation and Freedom did the Royal Messengers carry to the people? “Passing a Voice” “A Letter intended to be heard in the Land”

  5. IVP Commentary on Isaiah 40:3-9 40:3-9, voice in the wilderness, bringer of tidings. Messengers were well known in the ancient near eastern world. They played an essential role as the bearers of political and civic news to the inhabitants of a city. Virtually every town had a “crier” who announced important news to the inhabitants. Foreign invaders often sent a herald to a town to discuss terms with those remaining in the city.” Read Isaiah 40: 1-10.

  6. Messengers voicing the Good News Luk 1:19 And the messenger answering, said to him, “I am Gaḇri’ĕl, who stands in the presence of Elohim, and was sent to speak to you and announce to you this good news. Luk 2:10 And the messenger said to them, “Do not be afraid, for look, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all people. Luk 3:16 Yoḥanan answered, saying to them all, “I indeed immerse you in water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to loosen. He shall immerse you in the Set-apart Spirit and fire. Luk 3:17 “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He shall thoroughly cleanse His threshing-floor, and gather the wheat into His storehouse, but the chaff He shall burn with unquenchable fire.” Luk 3:18 And urging with many other words, he brought the Good News to the people.

  7. Quote from Moshe Weinfeld Page 13 “Indeed, Cyrus, God’s anointed (Isa. 45:1), fulfills the function of “liberation”. His proclamation encompasses the return of the exiles, the rebuilding of the cities of Judah and Jerusalem, and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ibid., 44:26–28; 45:1–3; cf. Ezra 1:1–4 = 2 Chr. 36:22–23) which, as we have hinted, are characteristic of the proclamations of “freedom” in Assyria and Egypt. As we shall see below, the activities of Cyrus and Darius (Ezra 6:6ff.) and of Artaxerxes (7:12ff.) concerning Jerusalem corresponded to the orders by which the sacred cities were granted “freedom” by the kings of Assyria and the kings of the Near East during the Hellenistic period. Indeed, Cyrus’ proclamation, performed by “passing a voice” (that is, by means of proclamation) and a letter (Ezra 1:1), reminds us of the means used for proclaiming freedom in ancient Mesopotamia. In the beginning of the most detailed proclamation of mīšarum from the time of King Ammi-Ṣaduqa of Babylonia (17th century B.C.E.), we find that the things written were intended to be heard in the land.”

  8. Ezra 1:15 Ezr 1:1 And in the first year of Koresh sovereign of Persia, that the word of יהוה by the mouth of Yirmeyah might be accomplished, יהוה stirred up the spirit of Koresh sovereign of Persia, to proclaim throughout all his reign, and also in writing, saying, Ezr 1:2 “Thus said Koresh sovereign of Persia, ‘יהוהElohim of the heavens has given me all the reigns of the earth. And He has commanded me to build Him a house in Yerushalayim which is in Yehuḏah. Ezr 1:3 Who is among you of all His people? His Elohim be with him! And let him go up to Yerushalayim, which is in Yehuḏah, and build the House of יהוהElohim of Yisra’ĕl – He is Elohim – which is in Yerushalayim. Ezr 1:4 And whoever is left from all the places where he sojourns, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the voluntary offerings for the House of Elohim which is in Yerushalayim.’ ” Ezr 1:5 And the heads of the fathers’ houses of Yehuḏah and Binyamin, and the priests and the Lĕwites, with all those whose spirits Elohim had stirred, rose up to go up and build the House of יהוה which is in Yerushalayim.

  9. Yochanan was the “passing voice to be heard in the Land” leading up to Yeshua. Mar 1:1 The beginning of the Good News of יהושע Messiah, the Son of Elohim. Mar 1:2 As it has been written in the Prophets, “See, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You, Mar 1:3 a voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of יהוה, make His paths straight.’ • Mat 3:1 And in those days Yoḥanan the Immerser came proclaiming in the wilderness of Yehuḏah, • Mat 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the reign of the heavens has come near!” • Mat 3:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Yeshayahu, saying, “A voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of יהוה, make His paths straight.’

  10. Yeshua as the Royal Messenger • Mat 3:15 But יהושע answering, said to him, “Permit it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him. • Mat 3:16 And having been immersed, יהושע went up immediately from the water, and see, the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of Elohim descending like a dove and coming upon Him, • Mat 3:17 and see, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I did delight.”

  11. Matthew 11:1-10 Mat 11:1 And it came to be, when יהושע ended instructing His twelve taught ones, that He set out from there to teach and to proclaim in their cities. Mat 11:2 And when Yoḥanan had heard in the prison of the works of Messiah, he sent two of his taught ones Mat 11:3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Mat 11:4 And יהושע answering, said to them, “Go, report to Yoḥanan what you hear and see: Mat 11:5“Blind receive sight and lame walk, lepers are cleansed and deaf hear, dead are raised up and poor are brought the Good News. Mat 11:6 “And blessed is he who does not stumble in Me.” Mat 11:7 And as these were going, יהושע began to say to the crowds concerning Yoḥanan, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Mat 11:8 “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft garments? Look, those wearing soft garments are in the houses of sovereigns. Mat 11:9 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet. Mat 11:10 “For this is he of whom it was written, ‘See, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You.’

  12. Yeshua is the Literal Word made Flesh By the KING YHWH that was intended to be heard in the Land! John Chapter 1:1-17

  13. The Authority and Witnesses of the Royal Messenger YeshuaJohn Chapter 5:18-47

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