The 'Love-Hate' Relationship Between Iran (Persia) and the Jewish People

THE RELATIONSHIP between Iran—also known in ancient times as Persia—and the Jewish people has been marked by both remarkable acts of deliverance and chilling threats of destruction, if not annihilation. From the biblical accounts of Cyrus the Great and Esther to today’s hostile rhetoric between Iran and Israel, history reveals a complex pattern of both favor and persecution. This post explores key moments that define this turbulent relationship and reflects on its relevance to modern Middle Eastern tensions.

1) The Story of Esther: A Jewish Queen in Persia (now Iran)

The book of Esther is a shining example of God's providence during Israel’s exile in Persia. Esther (Heb. 'Hadassah'), a young Jewish woman, was chosen to be queen by King Ahasuerus (commonly identified with Xerxes I), a powerful Persian monarch. Her cousin Mordecai uncovered a plot by Haman, a high-ranking official, who sought to annihilate the Jewish people across the Persian Empire (Esther 3:6).

Haman's hatred stemmed from personal pride and ethnic contempt, leading to a royal decree to destroy all Jews. But Esther's courage in revealing her identity and appealing to the king saved her people. Haman was executed, and the Jews were granted the right to defend themselves (Esther 8:11). This victory is still celebrated today during the Jewish festival of Purim.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place…” – Esther 4:14

2) Cyrus the Great: A Gentile Deliverer

Long before Esther, another Persian ruler played a pivotal role in Jewish history. Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire, conquered Babylon in 539 BC. In a remarkable and divinely orchestrated turn, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4; Isaiah 45:1). This act earned him a place of honor in Jewish memory.

Even the prophet Isaiah, writing a century earlier, referred to Cyrus as God's “anointed” (Isaiah 45:1), a title usually reserved for Israelite kings and priests. Cyrus’s benevolence towards the Jews stands in stark contrast to the genocidal intentions of Haman.

3) A Complex Relationship: Jews and Persia through History

The Jewish community flourished for centuries in Persia. Even after the return from exile, many Jews remained in the Persian territories and established vibrant communities. At its height, Iran was home to tens of thousands of Jews, with religious freedom and social participation.

Because their rich history, it is claimed that next to Israel, Iran has the largest number of people of the Jewish faith in the Middle East. It is also believed that the Jew's heroine, Esther, and her uncle, Mordechai, are buried in the western city of Hamedan, Iran.

However, over time, this tolerance fluctuated. During various Islamic regimes, Jewish life became more restricted. Yet despite political shifts, Iranian Jews continued to contribute to society and maintain their religious identity.

In modern times, particularly after the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Jews in Iran have faced increasing scrutiny and limitations. Although a small Jewish community still exists in Iran today—estimated at fewer than 10,000—they live under the watchful eye of a government often hostile to Zionism and the modern State of Israel.

4) The Existential Threat: Iran-Israel Conflict (From Haman the Agagite to Ayatollahs)

In recent decades, Iran's political stance has shifted dramatically. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel, echoing the genocidal ambitions of Haman. Iranian leaders have referred to Israel as a “cancerous tumor,” and its military supports anti-Israel proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

This modern enmity contrasts sharply with the protection once offered by Persian kings. Where once a Jewish queen saved her people from annihilation, today Israeli defense systems stand guard against Iranian threats. The spirit of Esther—courage in the face of annihilation—remains deeply relevant.

Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, covert operations, and cyber warfare reflect deep fears of a second Holocaust. Iran’s support for armed proxies and its nuclear ambitions have pushed the region to the brink of larger conflict.

5) Prophetic Implications and Spiritual Lessons

The story of Esther reminds believers that God can raise up deliverers even in foreign courts. Whether through Cyrus or Esther, God's hand guided the fate of His people. The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel may seem new, but it follows a familiar spiritual pattern: the age-old war between those who honor God's covenant and those who oppose it.

Bible prophecy speaks of increasing conflict in the end times, especially centered around Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2-3). Could Iran’s threats and Israel’s defenses be part of this unfolding picture?

Thus, from Cyrus the liberator to Haman the destroyer, from Esther’s bold intercession to today’s missile defense systems, the relationship between Persia (modern Iran) and the Jewish people tells a story of extremes—love and hate, deliverance and danger. History is not just repeating itself; it is fulfilling a prophetic narrative.

As we watch the headlines, let us remember that it is the God of Israel who “raises up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21), and it is He who also preserves His people through every generation.

"For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'After glory he has sent me against the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye.'" (Zechariah 2:8)