When the Persian Empire conquered the Babylonians, one ofCyrus the Persian's first acts was to decree that any Jew who hadbeen deported to Babylon, by Nebuchadnezzar, nearly 70 yearsearlier could return to his homeland to help rebuild the temple. Hisproclamation read: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given meall the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to builda temple for him in Jerusalem. Cyrus apparently believed he hadbeen divinely authorized to rule many nations with many gods andgoddesses. He honored the various gods of the nations by rebuildingthe temples to their gods.After Cyrus's proclamation, almost 40,000 Jews left Babylonand headed for Jerusalem. Cyrus sent silver and gold goblets withthe exiles to be returned to the temple at Jerusalem. These sacredvessels were plundered by Babylon and placed in the temple ofNebuchadnezzar's god, Marduk to declare his dominance over theGod of the Jews.