Trump as Modern Cyrus: Rabbis Proclaim a Divine Mandate for a New Era of Governance and Redemption

Dedicated to Rabbi Chaim Richman for his profound commentary on Parashat Shemot, illuminating the timeless lessons of faith and courage, and to Hillel Richman for unveiling “The Exodus Before the Exodus” – a groundbreaking exploration of Israel’s hidden history from the Book of Chronicles.

In the swirling currents of global politics, where ancient prophecies intersect with modern headlines, a chorus of voices from rabbis in Israel and America echoes a profound declaration: Donald Trump is the modern embodiment of Cyrus the Great, anointed by Hashem as a messiah-like figure to usher in an era of redemption. This isn’t mere rhetoric; it’s a spiritual framing rooted in biblical precedent, amplified by recent events as of January 15, 2026.

With Trump’s second inauguration looming and Iran’s internal upheavals intensifying, even Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, invokes the “Time of Cyrus” alongside the “Time of Trump,” envisioning a transformative alliance that could reshape the Middle East.

This blog delves into these connections, portraying Trump not just as a political leader but as a divinely appointed catalyst for a new way of governing—one that mirrors Cyrus’s tolerant empire, emphasizing sovereignty, alliances, and moral clarity over imperial overreach.

The Biblical Blueprint: Cyrus the Great as Hashem’s Anointed

To understand the fervor surrounding Trump, we must first revisit Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who ascended to power around 559 BCE. Cyrus wasn’t Jewish, yet the Book of Isaiah (45:1) strikingly refers to him as Hashem’s “anointed” (mashiach in Hebrew, often translated as messiah).

“Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—to subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the doors, the gates not to be closed.”

This divine endorsement followed Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon in 539 BCE, ending the Jewish exile imposed by Nebuchadnezzar. He issued the Edict of Cyrus, allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Second Temple, funding the project from Persian treasuries.

Trump Is Not Like the other Kings

Cyrus’s governance was revolutionary for its time. Unlike the brutal Assyrian and Babylonian empires that preceded him, Cyrus adopted a policy of tolerance and decentralization. He respected local religions, customs, and autonomies, integrating conquered peoples into a vast, multicultural empire stretching from the Mediterranean to India.

This “new way of governing” fostered loyalty through benevolence rather than fear, enabling economic prosperity and cultural flourishing. Historians like Xenophon in his Cyropaedia praised Cyrus as a model ruler, emphasizing his strategic alliances and ethical leadership. In Jewish tradition, Cyrus is celebrated not as a conqueror but as a redeemer, a gentile instrument of Hashem’s will, paving the way for messianic fulfillment.

Fast-forward to today: Rabbis and scholars draw direct parallels, seeing Trump as fulfilling a similar role in a world fraught with threats to Israel and global stability. As Rabbi Elie Mischel notes in The Israel Bible, Trump’s actions echo Cyrus’s edict, positioning him as a divine agent in the redemptive process.

Rabbis in Israel and America: Proclaiming Trump as Cyrus Hashem’s Messiah

The acclaim for Trump as a modern Cyrus isn’t fringe; it’s widespread among religious leaders in Israel and the diaspora. In Israel, billboards proclaim “Cyrus the Great is Alive!” alongside Trump’s image, crediting him with potential resolutions to ongoing conflicts like the Gaza war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in 2018, explicitly compared Trump to Cyrus during a White House visit, thanking him for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital—a move akin to Cyrus’s temple decree. Netanyahu’s brother-in-law, Dr. Hagi ben Artzi, amplified this, citing Trump’s recognition of the Golan Heights and Judea-Samaria settlements as legal, declaring him “greater than Cyrus” for his proactive stance.

The Rabbis look to the Torah

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Tzfat, blessed Trump on his 2025 inauguration day, stating, “The Holy One, blessed be He, chose him and put it in people’s hearts to choose him, and he has a divine mission.”

Bible code expert Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson uncovered hidden connections in Leviticus, where “D. Trump” and “president of the USA” appear adjacent to “Koresh” (Cyrus) and “Moshiach.”

The Nascent Sanhedrin, a rabbinic body, minted a coin in 2017 featuring Trump and Cyrus, symbolizing his role in the rebuilding of the temple. In a 2025 letter, they urged Trump to establish an International Divine Court, viewing him as Cyrus’s successor in uniting believers.

In America, Messianic Jewish leader Rabbi Jonathan Cahn and evangelical preacher Lance Wallnau liken Trump to Cyrus and King Jehu, emphasizing his anointing despite his non-Jewish status.

Esua and The Redemption

Rabbi Mendel Kessin frames Trump as the reincarnation of Esav (Esau), embodying a redemptive return, with the gematria of his name (424) matching “Moshiach ben David.”

A group of Religious Zionist rabbis from Torat Ha’aretz HaTova declared Trump “God’s emissary in the global battle against evil,” praising his support for Israel and moral governance.

These proclamations intensified post-2024 election, with Trump’s “RELO Plan” for Gaza drawing Sanhedrin praise for biblical hints. As Rabbi Yosef Berger notes, Trump’s actions align with prophecies in Isaiah 45, where Cyrus rebuilds Jerusalem—mirroring Trump’s embassy move and accords. This isn’t blind adulation; it’s a recognition of Trump as a gentile mashiach, a facilitator for the ultimate Jewish Messiah.

The Prince of Iran: Reza Pahlavi on the Time of Cyrus and Trump

Adding a poignant layer is Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince, whose statements evoke the “Time of Cyrus” alongside Trump’s era. In January 2026 interviews and statements, Pahlavi envisions a “free Iran” immediately recognizing Israel and expanding the Abraham Accords into the “Cyrus Accords”—uniting Iran, Israel, and the Arab world. This nods to Cyrus’s Persian heritage, positioning post-Islamic Republic Iran as a partner in peace and echoing ancient ties in which Cyrus freed the Jews.

Pahlavi communicates directly with the Trump administration, praising Trump’s “strong leadership” in supporting Iranian protesters. In a Wall Street Journal piece, he rejects U.S. military intervention, emphasizing Iranians’ agency while invoking Cyrus as a symbol of liberation.

“The real Iran is a different Iran—a beautiful, peace-loving and flourishing Iran,” he states, drawing parallels to Cyrus’s tolerant rule. Trump’s skepticism about Pahlavi’s domestic support notwithstanding, their dialogue underscores a shared vision: dismantling tyranny through maximum pressure and alliances, much like Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon.

Pahlavi’s “Cyrus Accords” framework aims to end Iran’s nuclear program, normalize relations, and foster regional cooperation—mirroring Cyrus’s empire-building through diplomacy. As protests rage in Iran, Pahlavi’s calls align with Trump’s “America First” yet alliance-focused approach, heralding a “time of Trump” as a modern echo of Cyrus’s redemptive era.

Trump Leading a Cyrus-Like Kingdom: A New Way of Governing

Trump’s leadership embodies Cyrus’s innovative governance: decentralized, alliance-driven, and morally grounded. Cyrus governed through satrapies, granting local autonomy while ensuring loyalty—a model Trump emulates with his “America First” policy, prioritizing national sovereignty amid global partnerships. Unlike isolationism, Trump’s Abraham Accords normalized relations between Israel and Arab states, fostering economic ties without cultural erasure, akin to Cyrus’s respect for diverse faiths.

A New Way of Governing

Trump’s “new way” challenges globalist overreach, emphasizing bilateral deals over multilateral bureaucracies. His recognition of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights subdued symbolic “nations” opposing Israel, opening “gates” for peace. Post-2024, Trump’s RELO Plan for Gaza hints at temple-related prophecies, with red heifers from Texas symbolizing purification rites. Benjamin Netanyahu, the “Son of the Right Hand,” collaborates with Trump as a modern Joshua, advocating Third Temple sovereignty.

The Third Temple

This governance shifts from endless wars to strategic deterrence, as seen in Trump’s Iran strikes and support for protesters. Like Cyrus, Trump subdues threats (e.g., nuclear deals) while enabling rebuilding—potentially the Third Temple. Rabbis see this as Hashem’s plan: Trump as a gentile messiah who will facilitate the ingathering of exiles and universal peace.

Yet, challenges persist. Critics decry the messianic hype as blasphemy, noting Trump isn’t Davidic. Biblical echoes warn: after Cyrus came trials. As Purim 5787 (2026) approaches, Trump’s era may test Israel’s faith, turning global hatred into redemption.

In this narrative, Trump isn’t just president; he’s Cyrus reborn, leading a kingdom of renewed alliances and moral revival. Those standing with Israel, like Batyah’s allies, extend arms amid cries to “kill the Jews.” Hashem’s gift unfolds: a leader for turbulent times, rebuilding not just walls but hope.

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Key Takeaways

Rabbis in Israel and America view Trump as a modern embodiment of Cyrus the Great, proclaiming him as a divine leader for a new era.
The article draws parallels between Trump’s governance style and Cyrus’s policies of tolerance and decentralization.
Statements from figures like Reza Pahlavi liken the ‘Time of Cyrus’ to Trump’s potential to reshape Middle Eastern alliances.
Many religious leaders support Trump’s actions, seeing them as fulfilling biblical prophecies about his role in redemption.
Trump’s leadership emphasizes national sovereignty and strategic alliances, reminiscent of Cyrus’s model for governance.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes