Page 306 - Bible History

THE JEWS IN BAB ON AND PERSIA UNDER CYRUS 279
THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
in captivity more than two hundred years. They had no religious leadership, and had forgotten their native land.
The leader of the returning exiles was Zorobabel.
He belonged to the family of the kings of Juda, but
had never seen Je usalem. He came as the represen­
tative of the Persian king and as governor of the
province. Josue, the high priest, accompanied him.
The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took seven P pa -
. lions loi months. As soon as the Jews reached the city, they r uild-
built an altar for the morning and the evening sacri- :: ee. The sacri ces for the great feasts of the Jews were also o ered on this altar. Preparations for re­ building the Temple were made in the second year after their return to Jerusalem. Laying the founda-
tion stone was a solemn occasion. The priests, vested